Why is a shovel made of metal

Shafts are generally made of wood, composite materials including fiberglass or metal steel or aluminum. All of these materials have pros and cons in terms of shovel use and durability, and the type you want to choose may come down to personal preference or budget.

The length of the shaft varies, and the height of your shovel should be matched to user height so that it is comfortable to use. The collar of a shovel is where the blade meets the shaft. The collar usually connects to the shaft and blade portion of the shovel with a rivet or screw, and can be disconnected if you need to replace either end. A blade usually has a much longer lifespan than the shaft and grip, so if either of those parts breaks, you can buy replacements and attach them to your old blade at the collar.

The blade of a shovel is the lowermost part of the tool, which makes direct contact with the ground. It is usually made of metal or aluminum, though in some instances might be fiberglass or plastic. Shovel blades come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and it is arguably the design of the blade that makes the most difference between different shovel types.

The kickplate of a shovel is also known as a step. It is the uppermost edge of a blade where you can place your foot to add pressure, though not all shovels will have a kickplate.

Kickplates are usually found on digging shovels where the extra weight of the user can be utilized to dig deeper into the ground. Using a kickplate will achieve better results, and make the job much easier ergonomically for the user, as they can use their weight to help dig rather than just arm and back muscles. The tip of a shovel is the lower edge of the blade, furthest from the shaft.

It takes various shapes depending on the intended use of the shovel. Is such shovel really more durable and reliable? Improve this question. It could be a marketing gimmick. A steel designed for leaf springs is going be more elastic - i. I can't see this being of any use in true shovelling. For digging, it might be beneficial in a heavy soil but I doubt it is worth twice as much!

Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. To help you make an informed choice for you I've compiled some info from wikipedia: Spring Steel is a type of carbon steel that will return to its original shape despite significant bending or twisting.

However, two points to consider: Are you currently using your tools so much that they are being permanently damaged? Spring steel is a Carbon Steel which means there is no requirement for Chromium Chromium is the element that is added to iron to make Stainless Steel Spring Steel may be prone to rust. Improve this answer. Coomie Coomie 2, 5 5 gold badges 20 20 silver badges 35 35 bronze badges. Also consider the quality of the rest of the tool, including the handle and how it attaches to the metal.

Although I've lost more shovels and trowels to problems with the metal than the handle, I did lose one shovel to the wooden handle coming loose from the metal blade, and I have also seen older shovels where the wood deteriorates and starts to splinter.

I have had so many tools wear out over the years, I think it's always worth paying a bit more to buy a better tool, but assessing quality can be tricky. I read reviews and want to see evidence it holds up to heavy use over many years. I live in a family that wears shovels and spades out. General applications, cheap spades ok. Chopping roots, prying rocks out, spring steel is best.

Advantages Steel blades are the most robust of all types of blade. Disadvantages They are more expensive and heavier than aluminium blades. This means that although it is not as strong as steel, it weighs a lot less. Amazon Associate Partners. About Us. Privacy Policy. Contact Us. Shop for Shovels.

Depending on the work a shovel is designed for, the blade will be made from one of three materials: Plastic Aluminium Steel.

The blades of some shovels are made out of plastic. Plastic blades are suitable for: Shovelling light to medium snowfall Scooping and spreading grain Shovelling light bulk material such as sand For use in the food industry to distinguish between various hygiene programmes. Some shovels have aluminium blades. Steel is an alloy a combination of iron and a small amount of carbon usually between 0. Steel blades are suitable for: Heavy duty digging in hard, rocky ground Shovelling heavy, compacted materials Commercial use and trade work.

The shovel stands for your need to dig out something from your past, either a traumatic event or something that made you happy, but either way, it was meaningful and a learning experience. At the spiritual level, the shovel is used to prepare your path towards inner knowledge.

Kaotar Henninger Pundit. Is a trowel a shovel? Altagracia Pereiro Pundit. What does Spade mean sexually? Go away. I'm spading John. See more words with the same meaning : to flirt, fraternize, mingle. Celmira Puttfarcken Pundit. What does a spade stand for? Spades : A spade is the symbol of the winter season. This symbol signifies an element of water. Timea Lederer Pundit. What is an Irish shovel? This shovel was traditionally used in Ireland where it suited the moist Irish climate.

It has been designed for digging in particularly heavy, impenetrable soils where cultivation is more difficult. Mailen Selda Teacher. Who came up with spades? Spades is thought to have originated in the Midwestern United States perhaps Cincinnati, Ohio in the late s. It was said to have been invented by college students who enjoyed both Whist and Bridge. They were looking for a fast-paced game that was competitive and strategic.

Jung Pentin Teacher. What is a spade shovel look like?