The top 3 recommendations and buying guides

Our recommendations

Fiskars is probably the manufacturer with the most spade on the market. There is a whole range of designs - a suitable model is available for every need. The winner in our comparative test is one of the bestsellers on Amazon and has been rated extremely positively. With its pointed leaf, it is particularly suitable for rough digging activities in the garden. It should be a real universal spade and is considered to be excellently made. Tall people benefit from the overall length of the spade.

The characteristics of the spade from WOLF-Garten are similar to the characteristics of the test winner from Fiskars. However, it has a round spade blade, which makes it ideal for digging up loose soil. The reviewers on Amazon are extremely happy with the model and describe it as very stable.

Anyone who wants a really quaint, rustic spade is well advised with the design from Spear & Jackson. It combines the classic materials stainless steel and wood. The fact that the manufacturer gives a full ten-year guarantee on the spade is proof of its high quality. The customers at Amazon praise the beautiful appearance and the functionality of the garden tool. Only the comparatively short length is criticized by (taller) people.

Purchase criteria

Art

Feather spade: The simplest version of the spade usually consists of a wooden handle and a steel blade. A small metal spring, usually positioned on the front, connects the stem and leaf - hence the name spring spade. The whole thing is fastened with a screw or rivet. The advantage of such a variant is the very affordable price. However, the connection between the stem and the leaf proves to be relatively unstable, so that the stem can break if the load is too heavy. Therefore, feather spades should only be used to dig up loose soil.

Double spring spade: As the name suggests, the double feather spade is basically constructed like a classic feather spade - but with two feathers. This makes it much more stable than the simple version and is therefore also suitable for rough digging work. The costs for a double spring spade are of course significantly higher.

Full metal spade: Both the blade and the handle are made of metal or steel * (e.g. stainless steel). The elements are welded together. In the case of high-quality welded seams, such a spade is extremely robust and durable. Conversely, if the weld seams are of inferior quality and are subjected to heavy loads, the seams may tear. As a result, the garden tool is generally unusable.

* There is a small but important difference between metal and steel: while metal is always pure means metallic substance (e.g. iron), steel is defined as an alloy of different metals with iron in the Main role.

Special spade: The three types mentioned are the main types. There are also a few special spade variants. We will briefly summarize these for you:

• Feldspade: 60 cm long, mainly used by the military
• Fork spade: too Digging fork, Leaf with mostly 4 short prongs, for digging on tree or shrub roots
• Folding spade: Mini spade, at approx. 20 cm collapsible, camping utensil
• Conifer spade: particularly slender leaves, practical in confined spaces, ideal for cutting out perennials
• Hole spade: even Hand excavator or post hole digger, looks like a pair of pliers with 2 spade blades, quickly drills holes in the ground, perfect for setting fence posts
• Clearing spade: also tree nursery spade, is used to remove whole root balls, tool for clearing
• Peat spade: very slim (approx. 11 cm) and tall (approx. 30 cm) spade leaf, for cutting peat, only rarely offered today (since peat removal is environmentally harmful)
• Pneumatic spade: works with compressed air, for fatigue-free gardening, often multifunctional spade with several attachments

material

The handle of a spade is usually made of wood or metal or steel. Cheap wood designs are often made of birch wood, more expensive variants of ash wood (hardwood with high flexibility). Metal / steel handles are usually made of rust-free stainless steel and can be classified as being of a similar quality to the ash handles. Boron steel handles are also common.

The spade blade is made of powder-coated steel or stainless steel. Stainless steel versions usually cost a little more, but are also a tad easier to care for than other steel versions. You have to repaint the latter from time to time so that the coating remains intact and the sheet does not start to rust.

Shape of the spade blade

The spade blade can be either pointed or round. If you mainly want to dig trenches and holes in hard ground with your garden spade, you should opt for a model with a pointed blade. If you need the garden tool primarily for the annual cultivation of your beds, you make the right choice with a round spade blade. The latter enables the earth to be digged up more quickly.

Width of the spade blade

Usually the width of the spade blade varies between 18 and 23 centimeters. With a wider sheet of paper, you will finish work faster in free areas. In contrast, a narrower sheet shows its advantages when it literally gets tight.

length

If you want to dig while standing and without straining your back, you need a spade the length of which is tailored to your height. Use the following guidelines as a guide:

• Spade length from 100 to 110 cm for people 160 to 175 cm tall
• Spade length from 115 to 125 cm for 176 to 190 cm tall people

Grip ergonomics

Most spades come with a T, D, or Y handle. All variants are considered ergonomic. In the end, you can only find out for yourself which one suits you best (in your hands) by subjecting various spades to a practical test.

frequently asked Questions

What is a spade and what is it used for?

A spade is a tool for digging work in the garden. It consists of two parts: a stem and an elongated, flat spade blade. The two elements are either connected to one another by a screw or rivet or welded (now the typical variant). Basically, the spade is a special form of the shovel.

Which brands offer good spades?

The best-known and most popular brands for spades include Fiskars, Gardena and Baack.

Where is the best place to buy a spade?

Spaten can be bought in hardware stores, for example at OBI, Hornbach, toom, Bauhaus or Hagebaumarkt. Sometimes you will also find what you are looking for at the discounter (Lidl or Aldi). The models offered there are generally home grown and of solid quality. But: There is no way around Amazon for the largest and best selection of spades.

How much does a spade cost?

The price range is wide. There are inexpensive spades from ten euros, but also professional versions for 50 euros and more. Ultimately, it depends on your requirements and of course your budget how much you should spend on the garden helper. What is certain is that you don't necessarily have to use the most expensive model to get a good spade. Even relatively inexpensive copies for 20 to 30 euros can be made of high-quality materials and have a first-class finish.

Are there spades for children?

Yes, there are actually spades for children that mom and dad are with Gardening want to help. These are particularly lightweight and relatively short.