What is the Advantage and Disadvantage of Wholesale Shovels

It depends a bit on what you are using the shove for, but for the last 40+ years my go-to shovel is a pony/cap rock shovel. I'm on acreage with a LOT of plants and trees and so I am always digging up plants/trees or trying to cut through roots to dig a hole or a ditch. This type of shovel has a fairly straight angle between the head and the handle and the handles are usually weighted fiberglass or metal. So it basically acts like a vertical axe for cutting through roots. With a slight edge on the blade you can easily slice through a 1" root in a single downward one handed stroke. Also makes it easy to cut through the sod layer. No longer any need to stick the shovel in the ground and stand on it, you can just use a one-handed downward stroke. With one of these shovels there's really no need for a pointed shovel.

The weighted fiberglass or steel handle means that they are very strong for prying action and the work very well at shoveling rocks or gravel. The only slight drawback is that the head is a little smaller than a conventional shovel, so they don't move as much material as a square point shovel. The other action where this is not quite as good as a square point is for back-filled or back grading the dirt into the hole. Because of the shallow angle you have to hold the handle closer to the ground if you are trying to keep the head parallel to the grade and the rounded cross-section doesn't give you the same smoothness as a square point, but it is less curved than a round point.

They aren't cheap, but in 40+ years I have only had two of them. First one lasted 25+ years, the reason I had to buy a second one was that I had been basically using it as a pry bar on concrete slabs and ended up creating a crack in the front edge of the blade which grew over time until it really wasn't usable.

First one was an Ames, the second one is Midwest Rake. Both are forged 10 gauge heads. The original Ames was ~$60 when I bought it back in the early 80's from a commercial nursery supply, the Bullhead was ~ $85 when I bought it in the mid 'sfrom a plumbing/irrigation wholesale supplier. I don't see my exact shovels, Ames doesn't seem to have a fiberglass handle, only wood, and the Midwest Rake doesn't seem to have the grey fiberglass handle and no longer appears to be made in USA. Here's a couple similar ones:



There's a cheaper version by Bully Tools that is welded as opposed to forged and 12 gauge instead of 10:

Once you use one of these you will never go back to a conventional shovel

It depends a bit on what you are using the shove for, but for the last 40+ years my go-to shovel is a pony/cap rock shovel. I'm on acreage with a LOT of plants and trees and so I am always digging up plants/trees or trying to cut through roots to dig a hole or a ditch. This type of shovel has a fairly straight angle between the head and the handle and the handles are usually weighted fiberglass or metal. So it basically acts like a vertical axe for cutting through roots. With a slight edge on the blade you can easily slice through a 1" root in a single downward one handed stroke. Also makes it easy to cut through the sod layer. No longer any need to stick the shovel in the ground and stand on it, you can just use a one-handed downward stroke. With one of these shovels there's really no need for a pointed shovel.

The weighted fiberglass or steel handle means that they are very strong for prying action and the work very well at shoveling rocks or gravel. The only slight drawback is that the head is a little smaller than a conventional shovel, so they don't move as much material as a square point shovel. The other action where this is not quite as good as a square point is for back-filled or back grading the dirt into the hole. Because of the shallow angle you have to hold the handle closer to the ground if you are trying to keep the head parallel to the grade and the rounded cross-section doesn't give you the same smoothness as a square point, but it is less curved than a round point.

They aren't cheap, but in 40+ years I have only had two of them. First one lasted 25+ years, the reason I had to buy a second one was that I had been basically using it as a pry bar on concrete slabs and ended up creating a crack in the front edge of the blade which grew over time until it really wasn't usable.

First one was an Ames, the second one is Midwest Rake. Both are forged 10 gauge heads. The original Ames was ~$60 when I bought it back in the early 80's from a commercial nursery supply, the Bullhead was ~ $85 when I bought it in the mid 'sfrom a plumbing/irrigation wholesale supplier. I don't see my exact shovels, Ames doesn't seem to have a fiberglass handle, only wood, and the Midwest Rake doesn't seem to have the grey fiberglass handle and no longer appears to be made in USA. Here's a couple similar ones:



There's a cheaper version by Bully Tools that is welded as opposed to forged and 12 gauge instead of 10:

Once you use one of these you will never go back to a conventional shovel

Bulldog known as Clarington Forge in North America, were also “forged” shovels and spades.
By “forged” I mean they actually took a chunk of steel and squashed the red hot chunk out into the flat shovel/spade blade, I think using a giant rotary forging process.
The shovels/spades used to be made in the UK, although I though within the past decade the equipment got shipped off to India were the shovels are still made?
I presume AM Leonard and some other industrial suppliers in the US must carry the fully forged shovels and spades, but the term “forged” gets used incorrectly for formed sheet metal shovels a lot, so it’s hard to find the right shovel type, and the last time I saw one in a store, was before Smith & Hawken went bankrupt and the brand name got sold. Don't want to be condescending, but those seem like a lot of money for some stamped sheet metal.

I guess people don't use shovels much in the USA? Those designs look so crappy to me, it's the one I'd always avoid in a store. I guess since most construction in the USA is with wood, primitive shovels remained more popular until today when they're primitive just because it's cheap to make them? Here, most construction is masonry and concrete and I'd hate to use a sheet metal shovel for mixing cement.

20-30€ here gets you a fully forged German/Bavarian style steel shovel with a wooden handle. The kind that will make a high pitched ring if you use it correctly with sand.

For example, the Austrian made Krenhof, the Slovene Struc Muta, or the German made Kerbl, or the ideal. The sheet metal ones that seem to be common in the USA accodring to these posts, are 15-20€ here but IMO aren't even worth that (e.g. Kerbl sells a simple one for 8-15€).

A proper forged shovelhas a steel ridge on the bottom. You don't want a ridge on top, how will you throw stuff off of the shovel smoothly otherwise???


I'm sure the bully tools do the job too, but a welded shovel still seems like an inferior design to what's available here.

Differences between wooden hand tools and fiberglass handle tools.

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When it comes to choosing hand tools, one of the most important factors to consider is the material used in the handle. The two most popular choices are wooden handles and fiberglass handles. Both materials have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, and choosing the right one will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the user.

Wooden Hand Tools

Wooden handles have been used as hand tools for centuries. They are a traditional material that is often favored for its natural aesthetic appeal, and many people find them comfortable to grip. The most commonly used types of wood for tool handles are hickory, ash, and oak.

One of the main benefits of wooden handles is their natural shock-absorbing properties. When using a wooden-handled tool, the vibrations from the impact are dampened by the wood, reducing the strain on your hands and arms. This can be particularly helpful when using tools for extended periods.

However, wooden handles can be vulnerable to moisture and humidity. If left in a damp environment, the wood can swell, making the handle uncomfortable to grip and potentially weakening it over time. Additionally, wooden handles can split or crack if subjected to heavy use or impact.

Fiberglass Handle Tools

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Fiberglass handles are a relatively modern alternative to wooden handles, first appearing in the s. They are made from a composite material consisting of fiberglass and a resin binder. The resulting material is lightweight, durable, and resistant to moisture, chemicals, and temperature changes.

One of the main advantages of fiberglass handles is their strength and durability. They can withstand heavy use and impacts without cracking or splitting. Additionally, fiberglass handles are resistant to rot and corrosion, making them a good choice for outdoor use.

Another benefit of fiberglass handles is their smooth surface, which makes them easy to clean and maintain. They also provide a consistent grip, which can be helpful for precision work.

However, fiberglass handles do not have the same natural shock-absorbing properties as wooden handles. This means that they can transmit more vibrations through to your hands and arms, which can be uncomfortable if using the tool for extended periods.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the choice between wooden hand tools and fiberglass handle tools ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of the task at hand. Wooden handles offer a natural aesthetic appeal and shock-absorbing properties, but they can be vulnerable to moisture and cracking. Fiberglass handles, on the other hand, are durable, easy to clean, and resistant to rot and corrosion, but they can transmit more vibrations. Ultimately, both materials have their unique strengths and weaknesses, and the decision between them will depend on the individual user's needs and preferences.

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