Round Point Shovels?

[fivespdcat]

Ok guys, I'm having a tough time deciding on what type of shovel to get. It might seem mundane, but I like to buy once and forget about it. I've looked all over, True Temper, Craftsman, Masterforce, etc. and just cant decide which one! I already tried a cheapie Union Tools, but man is that thing a piece of ****. It's going back to the store. What do you guys recommend for a good "value" shovel, and other general tools like bow rakes? Please no $100 shovels, this is for general homeowner use. I will most definitely be digging some big holes such as 48" x 48" for a drainage system at my new place.

I already have the following:

-short D-handle round point craftsman
-short D-handle transfer shovel craftsman
-true temper trench shovel
-old Ridgid long handle round point, but the fiberglass is cracking

Additionally, I'm a short guy, do I really even need to step up to a long handle in this situation? Any advice is appreciated!

 

[retrobuilder]

True Temper Silver Back or TT contractors grade shovel. Great warranty and heavy duty.
I am 5-7 and works great but is the transfer version.

Are you digging or just transferring from one place to another or both?

 

[Haveblue]

Ive always liked True temper. Ive got a true temper aluminum scoop shovel, a snow shovel, a short d-handled shovel and a rake. All very good!

 

[retrobuilder]

Also TT owns the Jackson commercial line..

http://www.jacksonprofessional.com/...Id=593&SubFamilyId=201&FamilyId=200&LineId=75

 

[DaleK]

I'm liking the Troy-Bilt shovels.

 

[rockchucker]

I have owned and used these Shovels for a good 10 years now. The only reason one broke is I was being a jackass prying on a Root that would not let go.

They are great shovels especially the Structon Fiberglass Handles like the S600, S700 and S800 for the round points.

http://www.seymourmfg.com/shovels/shovels/

Made in Indiana.

 

[fivespdcat]

True Temper Silver Back or TT contractors grade shovel. Great warranty and heavy duty.
I am 5-7 and works great but is the transfer version.

Are you digging or just transferring from one place to another or both?

I'll be digging out the holes then backfilling with some stone and a NDS FloWell. This is for my gutters, since they are currently draining with unsightly flex tubes 3 feet from the house. Some of the dirt will also be back filled, but not all of it. In the trenches, most of the dirt will get backfilled since I will be using solid drain pipe to get the water to the dry well.

 

[retrobuilder]

One of these- depending on where your are located..
http://www.amestruetemper.com/products/sub-family.aspx?LineId=78&FamilyId=81


You can use the shorter D handle transfer together.

A spade shovel gives you some qualities of both.

 

[All]

"Razorback" is the only brand that the paving and grading contractors I know use.

Why are you buying a new shovel? A shovel is about the cheapest thing one can buy at a garage sale... because no one wants to do the work. I've bought dozens of garden tools at garage sales... long handle, short handle, D handle, fiberglass handle, hickory handle, white ash handle, it doesn't matter... I've never paid more than $2.00 for the entire tool, and usually will offer $1.00, and boy are they happy to be rid of the thing.

The only digging tool that most people want to use these days is their cell phone, to call someone else to do it. Any given Sunday, at any given garage sale, the shovel you need is waiting to be picked up for a buck. Why pay $39.00 - $69.00 at a hardware store?

 

[fivespdcat]

"Razorback" is the only brand that the paving and grading contractors I know use.

Why are you buying a new shovel? A shovel is about the cheapest thing one can buy at a garage sale... because no one wants to do the work. I've bought dozens of garden tools at garage sales... long handle, short handle, D handle, fiberglass handle, hickory handle, white ash handle, it doesn't matter... I've never paid more than $2.00 for the entire tool, and usually will offer $1.00, and boy are they happy to be rid of the thing.

The only digging tool that most people want to use these days is their cell phone, to call someone else to do it. Any given Sunday, at any given garage sale, the shovel you need is waiting to be picked up for a buck. Why pay $39.00 - $69.00 at a hardware store?

I can understand this point, however I travel extensively for work and don't really have the time to go picking to save $20. I can get a TT for less than $20 or a craftsman (I'm assuming these are made by TT) for about the same on sale. It's just easier to order it online and pick it up in store during my lunch hour. I'm just looking to see what people's recommendations are for a decent price and readily available. I just can't pick!

 

[Piper27]

Bought a Fiskars 9668 Long Handle Digging Shovel awhile back. Very solid all steel, handle and all.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B6Q6BA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[All]

I can understand this point, however I travel extensively for work and don't really have the time to go picking to save $20 I just can't pick!

I can understand what you mean about traveling extensively. I just retired from a different city every week type of job... which probably explains why I'm on GJ so much now.

I also can understand about not being able to pick. So I picked them all. For an investment of not more than $20 for all of these combined. While I was still working. If you lived nextdoor, I'd give you one! Of each kind! I've got more than these at my other property as well.

View media item 30841
Here is the professional contractor brand you can't go wrong with:

View media item 30842

 

[theoldwizard1]

I love my round point wooden handled Craftsman shovel. All 10 or 12 that I have had over the last 35+ years. Yes, they have replaced it, free of charge, that many times !!

 

[zporta]

Razorback here as well

 

[2012 LML]

Razorback.

It would help to know the soil type.

My favorite. http://www.razorbackprofessional.com/products/detail.aspx?ProductId=1295&FamilyId=125&LineId=124

 

[maddawg1952]

Razorback is the 1 true all purpose shovel! I like the short handle so I can up close and personal to my work and I'm 6'2" this shovel fits me perfectly

 

[brownbagg]

razor backs are the best shovels out there, they are the only shovels contractor use, BUT, i alway buy the cheap shovel at lowes because it will get stolen out the back of my truck before i coulld wear one out

 

[AZ Pete]

I have a True Temper shovel with a tubular steel handle. I found it over 30 years ago and have landscaped three houses, dug out stumps, put out grass fires, dug foundations, used the handle for to operate a 2 ton come-along, etc. This is one tool that always goes to "Elk Camp". I even use it to move coals for dutch oven cooking. It has never let me down, though the blade is getting smaller and thinner. I don' think that True Temper makes a steel handle any longer, but here's another brand. I love the steel handle, I have broken several wood handles over the years, but have not seen anything that will damage this one.


http://www.yardzooks.com/mm5/ST_LH_RP_Shovel_Closed_Back.html

 

[NUTTSGT]

I picked up a Cman shovel last year or the year before. It's a fiberglass handle, pointed and serated. It's made in the USA and comes with the Cman warranty.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-long...ockType=G1&PDP_REDIRECT=false&s_tnt=39869:4:0

I caught it on sale and saved a few bucks with reward points. It should be the last shovel that I have to pay for.

 

[Thumper68]

Having used all the different brands of shovels over the past 30+ years the only thing that I have found the makes a real difference between the different makes is how long they hold an edge, yup that's right I sharpen my shovels. All shovels break, look for one that is thicker steal and then use your angle grinder to sharpen the edge. A sharp shovel will make the cheapest one last much longer and allow you to use it with less fatigue.

 

[justanengineer]

Rather than worrying about the brand, try hitting a few yard sales, fleas, or auctions. Buy shovels for $2-3 each in slightly used condition and toss in the trash if you dont like them.

 

[the gypsy]

Hi fivespdcat, IMO and my personal preferance is a long handle shovel. The reason being that I don't have to bend over. When you work a whole day slightly bent over your back hurts, and then there is the added leverage you get with the long handle, if you need it. That is my opinion.

 

[Steroblan]

Some shovels are made with the foot kerf bent backwards which can limit the depth of the dig in certain conditions or hang up if scraping or such. I avoid them.

 

[All]

Steroblan... good point! I have both styles, so I know what you are talking about.

 

[lilredex]

Rather than worrying about the brand, try hitting a few yard sales, fleas, or auctions. Buy shovels for $2-3 each in slightly used condition and toss in the trash if you dont like them.

I'm with you on this one. Go one further and pick up a toss-a-way from the garbage. Got both a handle and round nose shovel....made in Canada, yet....and shortened/reshaped the handle. Still ended up with a 53" OAL which is fine for my wife (she does most of the digging).


picture hosting


screen shot tool


image upload without registration

Handle rivets, about twenty-five cents each at an old hardware store.


image hosting tiny pic

 

[5lima30]

Shovels are like hammers, they tend to be specialized. So therefore you probably will need several ie square long handle, round long handle, grain scoop which makes a decent snow shovel and a square short "D" handle spade would cover alot of applications. I have had very good luck with the fiberglass handle Craftsman (w/ lifetime warranty) but the True Tempers are very good as well.

 

[Displaced Hokie]

Walmart has made-in-USA Ames I believe for $20.00. Has been a good shovel so far.

 

[tube_guy]

My whole life, I've done quite a lot of digging in rocky soil with a lot of tree roots. It's hell on shovels and will quickly weed out the good from the bad. From what I can see, the heat treatment and the steel on the old shovels was just so much better. Every new shovel I've used is just so much softer than anything made 25-30 years ago. Even the high dollar, made in USA, shovels today are just made from thicker soft steel. They bend when prying up rather small rocks and the sharpened edges bend over and mushroom when hitting rocks. As far as I can tell, the world just doesn't care about making a fine shovel any more.

 

[Outlander]

Pick up a 'previously enjoyed' shovel. Then go and get spray guns and a new compressor so you can paint them and make them look like new.

 

[rednecklimo85]

I guess my feeling's on a shovel are a little different. I've had good luck buying new fiberglass handle stuff from home depot. For me its not a once a month purchase so I'm willing to spend a little more and buy new. Even if your talking about a $40 purchase, once every few years is not a lot, however, I'm not using them everyday, beating them off rocks and roots. Just typical homeowner stuff.

You really do need a few different styles, a square shovel is nice for edging, and scooping, a pointed is nice for digging etc.

 

[jeffhay]

Bought a Fiskars 9668 Long Handle Digging Shovel awhile back. Very solid all steel, handle and all.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B6Q6BA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Yep, I got one of these, too. Can't say enough good things about it. It seems indestructible. A little heavier than a wood or fiberglass handled shovel, but not enough to matter.

 

[davidlee]

Buy one with a motor. It will save your back. LOL

 

[fivespdcat]

It looks like I'm probably going to either go with the Husky fiberglass from home depot:

Or a Bully from Amazon:

 

[tube_guy]

The Bully is a far superior shovel compared to the Husky. Although I do find the Bully a bit heavy because of its welded construction, it's an OK shovel. It is still nothing like an older one that's been properly heat treated though.