Okay, so today I want to talk about something I messed around with recently – shovels. Yeah, shovels, but not your regular kind. I’m talking about a shovel with two handles. Sounds weird, right? But it’s been a game-changer for me, especially with the kind of soil I’ve got in my yard.
See, I live in a place where the soil is super rocky. It’s a real pain to dig, even if just to plant new vegetables. I used to use a normal spade shovel, you know, the usual kind everyone has, and also a trenching shovel for narrow spaces. But man, it was tough work. My back would ache, my hands would get blisters, and it just took forever to get anything done.
Trying out a New Idea
So, I started thinking, there’s gotta be a better way, right? I did some reading online and saw that some folks use short-handled shovels for tight spots, like in trenches or mines. That got me thinking about handles. Then I stumbled upon some info about fiberglass handles. Apparently, they’re the strongest, even stronger than wood. They say fiberglass is super strong, doesn’t rust, and is kinda flexible, which sounded pretty good to me. They also mentioned that these fiberglass handles are strong because the glass fibers are held together with something called epoxy resin, which is like a super strong glue.
My DIY Shovel Experiment
Then it hit me, why not put two handles on a shovel? One regular handle like always, and another one, maybe a shorter one, lower down on the shaft. So, I grabbed an old shovel I had lying around. The shaft was metal, which was fine for this experiment. I found a sturdy piece of fiberglass tube – I think it was from an old fishing rod or something, about 1.5 inches thick. I cut it to, like, I don’t know, maybe a foot long. I then drilled a hole through the shovel shaft and the fiberglass tube, making sure they lined up. Got a long bolt and some big washers and bolted that fiberglass tube onto the shovel shaft. It wasn’t pretty, but it felt solid. It’s like adding another point of leverage.
Digging In
First time I used it, wow, what a difference! That extra handle gave me so much more control and power. I could push down with one hand and lift with the other, making each scoop way easier. And because I wasn’t bending over as much, my back didn’t kill me afterward. Even with those stubborn rocks, I could get a better angle and pry them out without straining myself.
Results
- Easier Digging: That second handle really does make a huge difference in how much effort it takes to dig.
- Less Back Pain: Not having to bend over as much has been a lifesaver for my back.
- More Control: I can maneuver the shovel much better, especially in tight spots or when dealing with rocks.
- Durability: That fiberglass handle is tough. I think the metal shaft might give out before it does.
Honestly, I’m kicking myself for not trying this sooner. It’s not the prettiest shovel out there, but who cares? It works like a charm. If you’re dealing with tough soil or just want to make digging a little easier on your body, I highly recommend giving this two-handled shovel a try. It might just change your whole gardening game!
