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Gardening Spades and Shovels.

On this page you will find Questions and Answers about spades and shovels. Also there is Care, Glossary, Specific Makes and Where to get you spades online

Questions On Spades and Shovels 

What is the main criteria in purchasing a new spade?

What size spade do I need for general usage?

I need a spade just for the borders what size do I want?

My back always hurts after digging, why?

If you have question you want answering on Spades then email me gardening@blueyonder.co.uk

Always buy the best quality tools at the outset. This way you can guarantee that the tools will last for many a year..
 Check with gardeners you know and find out who made their spade and how long they have had them.

Glossary

Carbon Steel.

Carbon steel or tool steel is used to produce the majority of spades on the market. As the hardness of the steel is obtained by heat treatment, it is advisable, not  to subject your spade to high heat sources. Fires etc.
Carbon steel will rust and also allow heavier soils to stick when wet.

Stainless Steel

Invented in Sheffield England it is a combination of differing metals. The combination is such that is offers strength with a rust free surface. The mirrored surface is such that heavy soils are less likely to become stuck.

Care and Maintenance

Clean the blade after use, a wipe down with an oily cloth will reduce the amount of rust on carbon steel blades. Never use a spade or shovel for other purposes other than that is was designed for.

General Use 

The length required is 25cm approx for a general use spade. The width is dependant upon the task to be undertaken but normally around 18cm.

A a really narrow width is generally called a trenching spade about 10cm. You will see these more often being used at road works for digging out trenches.

If you are well used to turning soil over and do not have heavy clay soil then a larger blade of 25cm x 20cm maybe to your liking.

Border Spade

This is much shorter and narrower blade than the general purpose spade. Typically around 23cm x 13 cm

Specific Makes

Bulldog, Draper, Spear & Jackson,

 

 spade  listed on this website

Bulldog  7110 Evergreen Edging Knife
Draper  56631 STAINLESS DIGGING SPADE EX LG
Unknown  The Spork
Unknown   Backsaver Autospade (carbon steel)
Unknown  Perennial Planter
Wilkinson Sword  601468w Stainless Steel Edging Knife
Faithfull Digging Spade - F'Glass Shaft
FAITHFULL DIGGING SPADE FIBREGLASS SHAFT Designed and manufactured to ensure ease of use with maximum efficiency, whilst satisfying the increasing demands of both professional and home gardeners. ...
11.21 GBP
  Fai/full s/steel border spade - ash shaft yd
Faithfull s/steel border spade
19.89 GBP
Wilkinson Sword Stainless Steel Border Spade Promotion
This top-of-the-range border spade is made from non-stick polished stainless steel which means efficient digging even in heavy soils. The beech woood shaft and polypropylene handle molded for maximum comformt means you'll get less blisters too...
24.99 GBP
Draper Stainless Steel Garden Spade
Plastic coated steel cored shaft and plastic "Y-dee" handle with soft hand grip.
26.95 GBP
Wilkinson Sword Stainless Steel Border Spade 224524
WSWORD SSTEEL BORDER SPADE...
26.09 GBP
Draper S.S.Digging Spade Wood Handle
STAINLESS STEEL GARDEN SPADE WITH WOODEN HANDLE Sanded and lacquered ash shaft with Ydee handle. Blade and socket fully hardened, tempered and mirror polished. Sold loose. ...
24.95 GBP
Spear & Jackson Neverbend Treaded Digging Spade 28 Supergrip Handle
Mention craftmanship and one immediately thinks of tradition and history. At the same time, performance is associated with modern innovation. Neverbend is the first garden tool range to successfully...
23.79 GBP
S&J Neverbend Border Spade
Ultra strong carbon steel heads and tines heat treated and tempered for strength. Weatherproofed ash shaft. 10 year guarantee.
13.99 GBP
Bulldog 5600 Premier Wood Digging Spade
BULLDOG 5600 PREMIER WOOD DIGGING SPADE A Digging Spade designed for the professional landscaper, contractor and gardener. The solid forged blade is made from a single piece of carbon steel for...
30.55 GBP
Bulldog 7102 Evergreen Border Spade
BULLDOG BORDER SPADE The Evergreen range of garden tools are manufactured to the highest standards, offering a 10 year guarantee against faulty workmanship and materials. A solid forged border...
22.48 GBP
Wilkinson Sword Shock Absorber Border Spade 601594W
WSWORD SHOCK ABSORBER BORDER SPADE 601594W A beech wood shaft border spade with a carbon steel head and extra wide foot tread for comfort. Plastic handle. 10 year...
17.39 GBP
Draper Carbon Steel Border Spade
CARBON STEEL BORDER SPADE Epoxy coated carbon steel, fully hardened and tempered with plastic coated steel cored shaft and plastic Ydee handle. Sold loose. ...
10.12 GBP
Spear & Jackson Proactive Treaded Border Spade 28 Shock Absorbing
Technology has improved almost every aspect of life. Now thanks to the Spear Jackson ProActive range, gardening has also been made much easier. Innovations like shock absorbing handles for spades...
25.49 GBP
Spear & Jackson Neverbend Treaded Irish Spade 32 T Handle
Mention craftmanship and one immediately thinks of tradition and history. At the same time, performance is associated with modern innovation. Neverbend is the first garden tool range to successfully...
32.29 GBP
Bulldog 7101 Evergreen Digging Spade
BULLDOG EVERGREEN DIGGING SPADE The Evergreen range of garden tools are manufactured to the highest standards, offering a 10 year guarantee against faulty workmanship and materials. A solid forged...
25.9 GBP
Faithfull Border Spade Pyd Grip
FAITHFULL BORDER SPADE Good quality carbon steel Border Spade with solid socket ash handle fitted with a plastic PYD grip. Designed for hard usage. The Head is finished in black. Size. 9 x 5...
17.01 GBP
S&J Neverbend Digging Spade
Ultra strong carbon steel heads and tines heat treated and tempered for strength. Weatherproofed ash shaft. 10 year guarantee.
13.99 GBP
Goldlyne 9152 Clay Spade Curved 19In
GOLDLYNE CLAY SPADE CURVED 19IN A range from Goldlyne of steels, chisels and points for hammers and breakers. These are of high quality to meet the rigorous demands of the work expected from these...
29.84 GBP
Faithfull Digging Spade
FAITHFULL DIGGING SPADE Economy range carbon steel construction digging spade with wooden shaft and plastic D grip handle. An ideal general purpose digging spade. Size. 260 x...
9.56 GBP
Draper Carbon Digging Spade Ext.Long
EXTRA LONG CARBON STEEL GARDEN SPADE Epoxy coated carbon steel, fully hardened and tempered with plastic coated steel cored shaft and plastic Ydee handle. The 1050mm extra long socket is especially...
13.18 GBP
Spear & Jackson Neverbend Stainless Steel Border Spade 28 Supergrip Handle
Function and form. Thats what great design is all about. Which is exactly what youll find with our Neverbend Stainless Steel range. The ergonomic design and eyecatching mirror polished heads make...
28.89 GBP
Spear & Jackson Neverbend Professional Digging Spade 28 MYD Handle
A professional gardener never blames his tools. Thats because the best use Spear Jackson Professional a super tough range of garden tools designed to meet the most demanding standards. With solid...
30.6 GBP
Draper Carbon Steel Border Spade
Epoxy coated carbon steel fully hardened and tempered..
10.79 GBP
Draper Stainless Steel Garden Fork & Spade

53.92 GBP
Goldlyne 9113 Clay Spade Curved 20In
GOLDLYNE CLAY SPADE CURVED 20IN A range from Goldlyne of steels, chisels and points for hammers and breakers. These are of high quality to meet the rigorous demands of the work expected from these...
29.2 GBP
Spear & Jackson Heritage Digging Spade 28 Wishbone Handle
Meeting the needs of the most discerning customer is where Spear Jacksons proud 250year history clearly comes to the fore. The design of our heritage range is inspired by the tools of yesteryear,...
25.49 GBP
Spear & Jackson Heritage Border Spade 28 Wishbone Handle
Meeting the needs of the most discerning customer is where Spear Jacksons proud 250year history clearly comes to the fore. The design of our heritage range is inspired by the tools of yesteryear,...
25.49 GBP
Spear & Jackson Neverbend Treaded Border Spade 28 Supergrip Handle
Mention craftmanship and one immediately thinks of tradition and history. At the same time, performance is associated with modern innovation. Neverbend is the first garden tool range to successfully...
23.79 GBP
Bosch Steel Sds Plus Spade Chisel

15.2 GBP
Bulldog 8102 All Season Border Spade
BULLDOG 8102 ALL SEASON BORDER...
20.12 GBP
Bulldog 7102 evergreen border spade
Bulldog border spade
15.35 GBP
Draper Carbon Steel Digging Spade
CARBON STEEL GARDEN SPADE Epoxy coated carbon steel, fully hardened and tempered with plastic coated steel cored shaft and plastic Ydee handle. Sold loose. ...
9.99 GBP
Bulldog 5609 Premier Wood Border Spade Yd
PREMIER BORDER SPADE YD...
37.61 GBP
Bosch Sds-Max Digging Spade

50.42 GBP
Spear & Jackson Neverbend Treaded Digging Spade 32 Supergrip Handle
Mention craftmanship and one immediately thinks of tradition and history. At the same time, performance is associated with modern innovation. Neverbend is the first garden tool range to successfully...
23.79 GBP
Draper Stainless Steel Digging Spade
STAINLESS STEEL GARDEN SPADE Plastic coated steel cored shaft and plastic Ydee handle with soft hand grip. Blade and socket fully hardened, tempered and mirror polished. Sold loose. ...
24.95 GBP
Spear & Jackson Traditional Border Spade 28 Wishbone Handle
Introducing garden tools for the style conscious. By combining old and new materials with traditional and modern technologies, the newly launched SJ traditional range is a garden tool range that...
27.2 GBP
Draper Stainless Steel Border Spade
Plastic coated steel cored shaft and plastic "Y-dee" handle with soft hand grip.
26.95 GBP
Fai/full border spade pyd grip
Faithfull border spade
17.1 GBP
Fai/full digging spade pyd grip
Faithfull digging spade
18.0 GBP
Draper Carbon Steel Garden Spade
Epoxy coated carbon steel fully hardened and tempered..
11.69 GBP