A spade (also known as a shovel) is a type of shovel used for cutting up compacted earth, digging and making trenches. Next to forks and rakes, it is a basic hand tool used in gardening and agriculture. Modern shovels are equipped with metal tips that are perfect for crushing, moving and pouring soil, increasing the convenience and efficiency of work in the garden or on construction sites. Depending on the nature of the task, you should use a straight or sharp spade. Find out more about this extremely useful tool.
Check out the shovels at the Onninen wholesaler
What is the best way to dig in clay?
A spade is a basic hand tool for digging in the soil, loosening the earth and breaking up clods. It is perfect for lighter earthworks and a relatively small area. It is equipped with a scoop (stick, top), shaft and handle (handle). The shovel offers a similar structure. The main difference between these tools lies in the construction of the tip and, consequently, in the purpose of the equipment. The straight, sharp scoop of the spade makes digging easier when the material is compact, such as in problematic clay. However, people who scoop and move loose materials, such as gravel or sand, usually use shovels. The characteristic arrangement of the bucket relative to the handle increases the comfort and ergonomics of working with bulk materials.
In the case of difficult ground and larger terrain, even the best shovels can be unreliable. Then earthworks are often mechanized. Instead of a shovel, special machines are used - rotavators with electric or combustion drives. Such devices significantly facilitate and speed up work, e.g. when planting trees. They can often be equipped with various types of accessories to expand their functionality.
When should you use a sharp spade and when should you use a straight one?
When choosing a shovel, you should first take into account the nature of the planned work. Spades available on the market are divided into two main groups: sharp and straight.
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If you are going to dig in the ground, look for a pointed spade - sharp. This is a popular, universal tool with a sharp edge. It is perfect for both hard, rocky soil and soft ground. Suitable for cutting turf, cutting small roots and digging small holes. Its special variety is the drainage spade . It is very useful when creating a drainage system, e.g. drainage grooves. It has a shaft made of a light material, e.g. fiberglass. The low weight of the tool goes hand in hand with high durability. - Do you need a tool to support planting? A straight gardening spade will be best for your applications. With its help, you can easily dig holes for plants, trim the lawn and frame flower beds. It is perfect for working in compacted soil.
It is worth mentioning one more variant of the spade - the shovel, which is irreplaceable when moving loose materials. It has a square top that allows you to pick up a large amount of material.
Spades at the Onninen wholesaler
In the Onninen online wholesale store you will find spades from selected, proven brands, such as Home Tools or Modeco Expert . These tools offer excellent value for money, fit great in the hand and ensure high precision of work. They can successfully compete with premium products, such as the popular Fiskars spade , which appears in almost every ranking. Our assortment includes various types of shovels, equipped with strong blades made of hardened steel, wooden or steel handles and ergonomic, solid handles.
You still don't know which spade will be best for the planned work? Contact us. You can write or call us. We will be happy to advise you on the selection of optimal tools for specific applications - in forestry, construction or gardening.