Mon-Fri from 09:00 to 18:00,
A detailed buying guide: how to choose a shovel.
Shovels are the basic tool for digging and moving soil, loading sand, gravel and fertiliser, and digging planting holes and trenches. This section includes pointed digging spades, square and scoop shovels for loose materials, narrow and root spades, and folding and short-handled models for the car and camping. About blade materials: hand tool materials, hardness, coatings and ergonomics.
A pointed spade suits digging dense soil, while a scoop shovel is for loading sand, gravel and earth. Narrow spades are for trenches and roots, and folding models are for keeping in the car.
Shovels made of hardened or boron steel do not bend in stony ground and stay sharp longer. Thin ordinary steel is lighter but only suits soft soil. A stainless surface makes cleaning easier.
Fibreglass and metal handles do not rot and are stronger, while wooden ones are cheaper and easy to replace. A D-grip improves control, and the right length reduces strain on your back.
A heavy shovel enters the soil more easily but tires you faster, so choose a medium weight for long work. Check how the handle is fixed to the blade: the rivet or screw should hold firmly without play.
A folded top edge on the blade lets you press the shovel with your foot without damaging your footwear. A wide step is especially useful in dense clay soil and when digging near roots. Wear sturdy gloves: how to choose work gloves.
After work, clean off the soil, dry the blade and sharpen the edge from time to time. Store the shovel hung up or upright in a dry place so the handle does not rot. Read how to maintain, store and organize hand tools.
At ToolsArmenia you can choose a shovel by type, steel, handle and weight for digging, loading and garden work.
