dave said:Or use the $100 to buy some really nice tools. There are some amazing gardening tools that are usually too expensive to justify. I know of a shovel for about $70 that's the best shovel in the world.

Now, Dave, please tell us: what's the best shovel in the world? You've piqued my curiosity.

Karen

Yes! I want to know about this super duper shovel also.

Me too; we can't seem to keep a shovel in one piece around here.

kqcrna said:Now, Dave, please tell us: what's the best shovel in the world? You've piqued my curiosity.

The King of Spades by WW Manufacturing.

They make spades, shovels, and rakes (and other things). The handle is metal and welded onto the business end. I have a spade, a shovel, and a hard tined rake. I can't say enough good things about these, but are they expensive!

Oh, they do look nice!

Karen

My area is 12" of solid clay / rock, then sand underneath that. These are the shovels I use:

http://www.homedepot.com/Outdo...
http://www.homedepot.com/Outdo...
http://www.lowes.com/pd_95345-...

I prefer fiberglass over wooden handles any day of the week. I've busted like 5 shovels since I've been gardening (3 years.. wow, only since '09?) on the soil here.

I tend to buy shovels at Sears which will guarantee them for life. I have gotten quite a few replacements from them over the years.

Hetty, are Sears' shovels expensive? I've never bought them there. I really don't buy much there. While I knew they replaced things like screwdrivers for life, I didn't realize their garden tools had the same guarantee. That's good to know.

Karen

Better pay some extra for quality, The bitterness of poor QUALITY remains long after the sweetness of low PRICE is forgotten."
Fer

I've wore off the label on mine, but I got it at home depot, and it has a fiberglass handle. Has been the best shovel I've ever had. I can't break the darn thing, and I'm a big guy putting almost all my weight on it sometimes. It was pricey, but well worth it. The handle is yellow on it.

Thanks for sharing, Dave.

Alan - I know what you mean about the fiberglass handles.. well worth the extra $$ to buy something that's not gonna break on ya when you're trying to make that hole bigger!! I'm slowly replacing all my wooden handled shovels with fiberglass.. <3 <3 <3 fiberglass!

I'm hearing ominous crackling noises from my fiberglass shovels when prying pressure is applied. I really, really want a welded one.

Chelle - I've dug out a massive chunk of concrete from 2' down with my fiberglass shovel. It creaked & groaned, but didn't snap. And I *doubt* you're anywhere near my size (I'm what you can call a "generously proportioned individual" which is a lot nicer than saying I'm a fat butt) so I wouldn't honestly worry about it. Look at the main shaft of the handle. Fiberglass, when it gives, shatters just like wood (trust me on this) and you can actually see splintering in the handle much like old old old wood.

An assortment of shovels are useful for gardening.
Yes, better quality is worth the extra $.
I use a plumber's shovel for planting bulbs----it is long and narrow.
For edging near the sidewalk I use a square shovel. My late DH used to sharpen
the edge of it so it cut through sod.

Skiekitty said:Chelle - I've dug out a massive chunk of concrete from 2' down with my fiberglass shovel. It creaked & groaned, but didn't snap. And I *doubt* you're anywhere near my size (I'm what you can call a "generously proportioned individual" which is a lot nicer than saying I'm a fat butt) so I wouldn't honestly worry about it. Look at the main shaft of the handle. Fiberglass, when it gives, shatters just like wood (trust me on this) and you can actually see splintering in the handle much like old old old wood.

Ha! I'm not the one breaking them! .....Well, you might say I stress them a bit (sticking head under miscanthus clumps and jumping up and down on the handle probably doesn't help ), it's the 6'4", 220 dude that shares my stuff that breaks them....prying out tree roots!! Pick axes, rakes and firewood axes end up suffering similar fates....

....and yes, they're definitely cracking about 2" from the head attachment.....

The ones from Sears that I bought (and no, they're not expensive) are also Fiberglass and we've managed to break a few.
As far as I know all Craftsman tools carry this guarantee.

That's a good incentive to buy there.

Karen

I always thought it was my fault the shovel I bought broke or the man I hired! My problems are trowels! But I saw one online at the Grommet that was hand fired and the whole thing was steel, handle and all! I forgot how much it cost.

Spear Head shovel & spade in one. I got one of these this spring it is 41" long and is hands down the best for me (a woman) shovel/spade that I have ever used. The following is the description for the seller site where I purchased.
Excellent for dense clay or rocky soils, it also helps when transplanting or subdividing highly rooted plants. The blade is sharp from tip to tail, and the fiberglass handle is reinforced with a hardwood core for maximum strength. A generous forward-bent footrest makes digging easier, and a cushion provides a confident, comfortable D grip.

Here is the manufacturers website http://www.spearheadspade.com/