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Spades and shovels are essential garden and outdoor hand tools, used to dig and move soil, snow, aggregate and more in a wide range of industries. Here at Cromwell, we carefully select our products from market-leading brands, like Bulldog®, Harold Moore®, Spear & Jackson® and our own brand, Rutland®. Visit Outdoor & Gardening to explore our gardening range.

What are spades and shovels?

Spades feature flat blades for cutting and edging and shovels have curved blades for digging and lifting. Constructed from durable materials such as steel or aluminium, these tools are built for longevity and available with various finishes to further enhance their strength. They come in different sizes to ensure user comfort and efficiency and may feature ergonomically designed handles.

Spade and shovel types

There are a various types of spades and shovels designed for specific tasks and applications:

Garden and Landscaping

• Garden Spade   -    A broad flat blade for digging, turning and lifting soil
• Border Spade   -    Narrow blade designed for crafting clean edges along garden borders
• Grafting Spade   -    Slight blade used to create accurate soil work around grafted plants
• Grafting Shovel   -    Narrow blade for detailed work in grafting plants
• Hand Trowels   -    A small scoop shaped blade used for precise planting and transplanting

Digging and Excavation

• Digging Spade   -    Pointed style blade for turning and digging soil
• Newcastle Drainer   -    specifically designed for digging narrow and deep drainage channels
• Trenching Shovel   -    Long narrow blade used to dig trenches
• Cable Laying Shovel   -    Narrow, long blade with a slightly curved shape to create a precise uniformed trench widths. Optimal for digging trenches for cables or pipes
• Drain Shovel   -    Used for clearing and maintaining drainage ditches
• Rabbiting Shovel   -    A slender blade used to efficiently dig burrows and work soil in tight spaces
• Taper Mouth Shovel   -    Tapered blade for versatile digging and moving of materials

Material Handling

• Hand Shovels   -    Compact design for scooping and moving little amounts of material
• Contractors Shovel   -    Heavy duty shovel for general purpose excavation and material handling
• Square Mouth Shovel   -    Flat design square blade for lifting and moving bulk materials
• Round Mouth Shovel   -    Rounded blade for efficient digging and scooping loose materials
• Grain Shovel   -    Designed for handling and moving grain and other bulk materials
• Snow Shovel   -    Wide flat blade designed specifically for clearing snow
• West Country Shovel   -    Traditional design with a robust square blade for heavy duty digging

Specialty Shovels

•Anti-Spark Shovels   -    Non-sparking materials used often used in explosive or hazardous environments
•Hi-Visibility Shovel   -    Designed with bright reflective colours for increased visibility in low-light conditions

Considerations when choosing spades and shovels

• Type   -    Select the appropriate spade or shovel type for your specific application to ensure it performs the task efficiently
• Length   -    Choosing the correct length shaft for your height will prevent excessive bending and prevent back strain
• Shaft material   -    Typically made from wood, metal, fiberglass or plastic, each offering distinct benefits. Wooden shafts absorb impact but must be kept dry, while metal shafts are strong but don't absorb shock. Fiberglass and plastic are lightweight and shock absorbent but are less durable and harder to replace
• Weight   -    Consider the weight of the spade or shovel. Ensure that it suits your strength
• Ergonomic Features   -    Ergonomic designed handles reduce strain and increase comfort during extended use
Handle Types   -    There are various types of handles available:
• YD Grip   -    Y-shaped design that provides ergonomic comfort and increased control
• MYD Grip   -    Variation of the YD grip that has a moulded handle that provides a firmer ergonomic grip
• T-Grip   -    Balanced handle for heavy duty control and improved leverage
• D-Grip   -    D-shaped handle that provides a comfortable and secure grip from various angles
• Pole/LPH   -    Also known as a long plain handle, designed to provides leverage and control. Usually made of wood, metal, or fiberglass

FAQs

How do you maintain a shovel?
Depending on the material of the shovel, ensure the tool is clean after use and stored correctly away from the elements. Wooden shafts should be periodically checked for splinters. If rough edges are found, they can be sanded with a high-grit sanding paper followed by a wax or oil treatment to maintain protection against wet weather. For metal blades, again these should be checked for damage and the edges sharpened. Carbon steel blades will benefit from a treatment of oil after sharpening to prevent corrosion.