Spades come in a variety of sizes and shapes. They are used for different jobs such as digging irrigation ditches, landscaping, edging lawns, and other planting needs. Sometimes, people can be confused between a shovel and a spade. How do they differ?
Shovels have longer handles which make them highly advantageous for digging deep holes. Because spades have shorter handles, they are ideally used for smaller spaces such as flowerbeds. Garden spades also have straight angles which make them very suitable for edging lawns.
Nevertheless, spades make useful gardening tools. Gardening will be incomplete without spades. Below are reviews of different types of spades for gardening. They vary in length as well as the shape of their blades. Have a look below at some of the best types of spades for gardening.
SPEAR & JACKSON R400 ENGLISH STYLE HERITAGE FORGED DIGGING SPADE 32″
Uses
For general digging and cultivation, cuts through roots, are used for edging
Strong and Durable
The head and socket of this garden spade are made of carbon steel which is known to be much stronger than stainless steel. This makes the spade very sharp and easier to sharpen, especially when you use it repeatedly for a long period of time. Its blade length measures 32 inches.
After using this tool, make sure to wipe it dry if you don’t want it to rust. If taken care of, this will last for about 35 years. This spade also comes with a 10-year guarantee.
Weatherproofed Handle and Shaft
The handle and shaft are made of hardwood which gives the spade a timeless, classic appearance. Hardwood is known to be durable, which is why it is commonly used to build other things such as boats. The shaft is split to form a beautiful wishbone handle.
More Product Details
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 43 x 7 x 4 inches
- Origin: India
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AMES 2451700 TRUE TEMPER RAZORBACK INDUSTRIAL ALL STEEL SPADE, 15-INCH
Uses
Made for heavy-duty work, digging, edging, transplanting seeds, stripping grass, chipping at rocks, cutting roots, chopping wet clay, landscaping
Durable Construction
If you are not comfortable with using a garden spade with a wooden shaft and handle, this industrial-grade steel spade can be your excellent choice. Use it for hours of heavy digging and you’ll be happy that it stays in shape. You can also use it to penetrate through hard frosts during wintertime. The blade length measures 15 inches.
Dual Rubber Steps
If you need this tool for edging lawns, its shoulders are lined with rubber so your foot can step on one shoulder securely and comfortably to allow the spade to dig deeper.
More Product Features
- Weight: 12.5 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 41.7 x 7.1 x 1.5 inches
- Origin: USA
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SPEARHEAD SPADE
Uses
Penetrates tough soil and roots, works around rocks, cuts stubborn grass and weeds, Digs holes and shrubs
Lightweight and Durable
This is the lightest garden spade mentioned in this review. It weighs only 3.6 pounds. The blade is comprised of high carbon manganese steel which is strong and resists abrasion. It is sharpened at its tip and slightly bent so that it can hold more soil. On the other hand, the handle is made of fiberglass which makes it very smooth and durable at the same time.
Comfortable Handle
This garden spade has a D-design handle with a polymeric cushioned grip. The grip can endure tough weather and harsh conditions because it has UV inhibitors.
More Product Details
- Weight: 3.6 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 3.5 x 9 x 41 inches
- Origin: USA
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BULLY TOOLS 72530 COMMERCIAL GRADE LONG HANDLE DRAIN SPADE
Uses
Digs irrigation ditches dig compacted soil, landscaping,
Long Handle, Made of American Ash
The Bully Tools garden spade has a long, 45-inch handle which is comfortable to use for most people. Because of its length, you do not have to bend or stoop while digging. This prevents you from experiencing back and neck pain. Since the handle is made of American Ash, you can rely on its durability and toughness.
12-Gauge Steel
The blade of this garden spade is thick, equivalent to 2.657mm. Most garden tools have thinner blades which makes this spade a good, long-term investment.
More Product Details
- Weight: 3.9 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 57 x 5.2 x 2.5 inches
- Origin: USA
FISKARS 46 INCH STEEL D-HANDLE TRANSPLANTING SPADE
Uses
Digs deep holes for planting, digging up bulbs, transplanting
Digging Power
The Fiskars transplanting garden spade has a 14-gauge (1.897mm) steel blade that can dig into adobe clay and cuts 1/4 to 1/2 inch diameter roots. It has a fairly sharp tip which makes this tool capable of cutting through tough soil with roots beneath it. Most senior citizens find this a nice feature.
Durable Steel Shaft and Extra Large Handle
The shaft is also made of steel. It has a thickness of 1.214mm so it can be light and durable at the same time. For you to have more control in digging, simply hold the handle using both hands. You can do it even with gloves on. The handle has a D-design, providing more space to accommodate small and big hands.
More Product Details
- Weight: 4.6 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 2.2 x 8.4 x 47 inches
- Extra large foot platform
- Powder-coated to resist rusting
CONCLUSION
All the garden spades in this review are actually great. They serve similar purposes but differ in a few things. If a spade’s weight matters most to you, you should choose the Spear Head Spade. Aside from its being light, it happens to be the only spade that has a slight angle to avoid getting entangled with roots and to be able to hold more soil.
In terms of digging deep holes and holding the spade more securely, I prefer the Fiskars for its slender blade and wide handle.
If you want something wooden and classic with a very durable blade, the Spear & Jackson R400 is a brilliant option.