Tim Carter describes the various shovels that are available. Getting the correct one will make your job easier.
Using the wrong shovel could make your work at lot more work. The proper shovel or spade will help you get the job done right.
If you are digging moist soil, a round pointed shovel is ideal. The rounded edges slices through the dirt. A square nosed shovel does not work for digging. It is designed for picking up loose dirt or gravel.
In the same shovel family, there are a variety of choices. A garden spade is a flat nosed shovel. It does not have a turned up or curved sides. The standard square nose shovel has a curled side to help with handling the loose material. The straight sides on the garden spade are made for slicing down into the soil.
A duckbill round point shovel has an entirely different look from the standard round nosed shovels. The duckbill shovel features a very narrow blade for digging a narrow, but deep, trench. This would work for digging a French linear drain.
Spades and shovels are made from various matters. Some are 18 gauge stainless steel! They do not rust and are generally designed for those smaller projects.
