This time of year, a lot of people dig holes in the ground for all sorts of reasons. Maybe you are going to build a retaining wall, plant a bush or tree, whatever it might be but typically, when I drive by and watch people work with shovels, they are using the wrong tool. If you want to work effectively, you got to match the shovel to the job. A round point shovel is a very common shovel that many people have. In its rounded edge is ideal for cutting through moist soil. A square point shovel has a very square type shape and it is not very good at all for cutting in the soil. It is ideal for handling and digging loose materials such as sand or light gravel. Interestingly enough, there are different types of square point shovels. For example, I have got a gardening spade here and you will notice it is also squared edge but it does not have the turned up or curled edges that the other square point shovel has. That is an important feature of the square gardening spade; it allows you to slice in to soil just like you are cutting in with a razor knife.
Here is a round point shovel but it is completely different shape. This is called a duckbill shovel and it is ideal for cutting nice narrow trenches that are fairly deep in case you are putting in a french drain or some other trench in your yard. But not every spade is a spade. This is a shovel of my wife Cathy’s, do not let her know I used it. It is made out of 188 surge and stainless steel, it is rust proof, it does a fantastic job.
I am Tim Carter, ask the builder.
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