Well, let me tell ya somethin’ about them short handled shovels. You know, the ones you see around. Some folks call ’em spades, some call ’em shovels, I just call ’em diggin’ tools. Ain’t got much use for fancy words, ya know? Just get the job done, that’s what I say.
Now, I ain’t no expert, but I’ve done my share of diggin’ in my day. Gardens, ditches, you name it. And lemme tell ya, a shovel’s a shovel, but a short handled shovel, well, that’s a different beast altogether.

First off, they’re good for when you ain’t got much room to swing. Like if you’re diggin’ a hole in a tight spot, say between them rose bushes your daughter-in-law planted. Can’t be flinging dirt everywhere, now can ya? A long handle, you’d be whacking them poor roses left and right. But a short handle? Perfect. Keeps everything nice and controlled, you know? Like holdin’ a spoon, almost, but for dirt.
And then there’s the weight. These short handled fellas, they’re usually lighter. My back ain’t what it used to be, you know. Can’t be liftin’ no heavy stuff all day long. So a lighter shovel, that’s a godsend, I tell ya. Less strain on the ol’ back, means more diggin’ I can get done before my knees start complainin’.
But they ain’t perfect, mind you. If you’re tall, like my grandson Billy, well, you might be bent over somethin’ fierce. Not good for the back, I tell ya. Billy tried usin’ one of my short handled shovels once, looked like a pretzel by the time he was done. He’s better off with them long handled ones, he is. So, gotta pick the right tool for the job, and for the person, ya know?
I heard some folks talkin’ about what these shovels are made of. Fiber somethin’ or other, sounds fancy. All I know is, some are stronger than others. You want one that ain’t gonna break on ya when you hit a rock. Nothin’ worse than havin’ a shovel snap in the middle of a dig. Then you’re stuck, ain’t ya? So get a good one, that’s what I say. Spend a little extra, it’ll be worth it in the long run. I had one shovel, lasted me near twenty years, it did. Good ol’ shovel, that one was.
- Types of shovels: Now, I’ve seen all sorts of shovels in my day. Round point, square point, pointy ones, flat ones… Seems like there’s a shovel for everything. Round point’s good for diggin’ holes, square point’s good for movin’ dirt, that’s how I see it. Ain’t no need to get all complicated about it.
- Handle Material: They got them wooden handles, and those fancy fiberglass ones. Wood’s good, feels nice in your hand, but it can break, ya know? Fiberglass, that stuff’s tough, but it don’t feel the same. Kind of cold, almost. But it lasts, so that’s somethin’.
I reckon the best shovel is the one that feels right in your hand. The one that lets you get the job done without killin’ your back. And sometimes, that means a short handled shovel. Especially if you’re diggin’ in a tight spot, or if you ain’t got the strength for a big ol’ long handled one. It’s all about common sense, ya know? Ain’t nothin’ more to it than that.
So, if you’re lookin’ for a best shovel, and you don’t need to dig no big holes, you think about gettin’ yourself a short handled shovel. It might be just what you need. And don’t let them fancy city folk tell you different. They don’t know nothin’ about real diggin’, they don’t. They just sit in their offices all day, tappin’ on them computers. Give ’em a shovel, they wouldn’t know what to do with it.
And remember, a good short shovel can be perfect for scooping too, not just digging. And when looking to buy shovels, think about what you are really going to be doing with it. If you need one for scooping, and the area is small, maybe those mini shovels or D handle shovel types will work just fine for ya. Just make sure the handle is strong enough for what you need. Best garden shovels don’t have to be expensive or the biggest, but the right one for you.

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