Top 10 Best Shovel for Digging in Clay Reviews & Buying Guide

This top 10 best shovel for digging in clay article can help you to understand in details about digging shovel. So, if you need information regarding the topic, you can read the full article.

Digging in loose clay is certainly the easiest thing to do. In that case, any regular shovel will help to get the job done without trouble. However, when clay is completely dry and compacted, things change. You’ll need a special spade garden tool that can penetrate the solid mass of compacted material with minimal effort.

The best shovel for digging clay must be sturdy, resistant and provided with serrated and sharp edges. However, there are a few more things you need to consider before buying any shovel. In this buying guide you’ll find some valuable tips that will help you make the best decision.

Here you’ll also find a top 10 list with the most popular shovels for digging clay that everyone is buying on 2022.

Benefits & Common Features

Clay is one of the most common types of clay soil. When it’s loose soil definition or humid, it’s incredibly easy to work with. But, when it’s dry and compact, it becomes solid and almost impenetrable. In that case, having the best shovel for digging sandy clay soil properties is a huge benefit.

These kinds of shovels penetrate hard surfaces better. In addition, they’re made of durable materials, like stainless or carbon steel, to withstand high impacts without breaking. Usually, their junction points have extra welding to make them even stronger.

Shovels for digging in silty clay soil properties of sandy soil are so diverse & describe sandy soil as sandy silt soil. However, all of them share these common features:

Top 10 Best Shovel For Digging in Clay Reviews

Digging in clay using the wrong shovel will cause you a lot of trouble. Therefore, you must be wise and take your time to choose the right one. If you don’t have much time to waste, you better choose any of the options in this top 10 list.

1. Spear Head Spade Gardening Shovel

This shovel has a square tip that allows it to penetrate deep and glide over hard surfaces. In addition, its revolutionary design considerably reduces digging effort. It also performs quite well on loosen and compacted clay.

This shovel is available in five different colors and two different shaft sizes. So, there’s a different option for users with different tastes and heights. This shovel also has a soft-padded D-handle, cushioning high impacts over the hand. And garden cultivator hand tool & garden cultivator tool are same thing.

2. Spear Head Spade SHFD3 Reinforced Gardening Shovel

The spear head of this shovel makes it incredibly efficient on rocky and compacted terrain. It also has a fiberglass handle shaft which makes it light and strong. This shovel also has a D-handle with cushioned support to protect your hands and improve grip.

The head, made of high carbon manganese steel is 25% stiffer and 30% thicker in contrast to regular shovel heads. In addition, its surface has an epoxy powder coating that protects it against scratches and rust.

3. Radius Garden 22011 Root Slayer Shovel

This shovel has a wider step so you can better support your feet and apply more force. In addition, the serrated pattern on each side of the shovel head cuts roots effortlessly. The inverted “V” tip also helps to catch more roots, making it more efficient.

In addition, the shovel head has an epoxy powder coating adding extra durability and resistance to external agents. Best of all, this incredible shovel has a lifetime warranty for users in the USA.

4. Bully garden digging Tools 82510 Round Point Shovel

This shovel is made of 14-gauge carbon steel, which makes it sturdier and more resistant than others on the market. In addition, the closed back of the shovel head prevents accumulation of dirt residues. Therefore, it’s much easier to clean and maintain.

The shaft is reinforced with three layers of fiberglass. So, it won’t break or bend with excessive efforts. The D-handle is made of polypropylene co-polymer, which is more resistant to high impacts and external agents than other plastics.

5. Lil ‘Digger 29-Inch Double Serrated Shovel

The impressive design of its shovel head allows it to make clean straight cuts into the clay loam soil. In addition, the shovel head is stronger in its spine so it won’t bend when hitting a hard surface. The wider steps also provide more space to comfortably support your feet and apply extra force.

The teeth on each side of the shovel head are very sharp and cut roots with minimal effort. In addition, the reinforced ferrule prevents separation between the shaft and the shovel head.

6. The Ames Companies, Inc 43106 Round Point Shovel

This shovel has a thicker head made of genuine #2 carbon steel. In addition, the sharp edges of the head penetrate the hardest soils so easily. This small garden shovel also has a hardwood shaft which is slightly flexible and incredibly resistant to high impacts.

The D-handle provides a stable support and gives you a better control of your hand hoe garden tool. The flat steps on the head also allow you to apply more force for superior penetration.

7. Garden Guru Hand Shovel

This garden hand shovel is compact, practical and incredibly versatile. You can also use it for gardening tasks, transplanting, removing roots and mixing soil or concrete. The shaft is made of steel and highly resistant to rust and deformation. The union point between the shaft and the head is also reinforced for maximum durability.

The handle is quite comfortable and has an ergonomic design that fits the shape of your hand. The handle also has grooves where your fingers can rest. This design also improves grip and provides a higher comfort.

8. Edward Tools Heavy Duty Hand Shovel

This hand shovel is incredibly durable and covered by a lifetime warranty. So, if you’re looking for something that can withstand a lifetime of use and abuse, you should consider this. The handle is sturdy and soft-padded to cushion high impacts and improve grip.

The head and the shaft are made of a single piece of stainless steel, resistant to rust and scratches. The head has a larger size in contrast to regular shovel heads on the market. So, you can remove a greater volume of soil on the first try.

9. Rhino USA Folding Survival Shovel

This survival shovel is perfect to take with you to any outdoor adventure. In addition, it has a lifetime warranty, which is a good sign. It can be folded, reducing 2/3 of its size after collapsed. In addition, all its parts are made of steel, which make it resistant to great efforts.

The shovel head also has serrated borders to make clean straight cuts into the soil. It’s also by far one of the best survival shovels to cut roots.

10. Bully Tools 82515 Round Point Shovel

This trenching shovel has a reinforced ferrule that prevents accidental bending when high stresses are applied. The blade is also 30% thicker because it’s made of 14-gauge carbon steel blade. The I-handle also allows you to apply extra force with both hands. However, it’s suitable to wear work gloves to prevent blisters.

The head shovel also has a closed back that prevents the accumulation of dirt residues. This feature makes it suitable for working on loosen clay, that commonly adheres to the shovel surface.

Clay Digging Shovel Buying Guide

Finding a good shovel for digging tool in clay isn’t an easy task these days. The current market is full of low-quality shovels that are broken with the first use. Therefore, you should pay close attention to the materials and design of your trench shovel before purchasing.

In this buying guide you’ll learn all the desirable features that you should look for in a snow shovel for digging in clay. That way, you’ll be ready to make the best of the decisions.

Handle

To penetrate hard soil, you should be able to apply force with both of your hands. And a good handle design will help you with that. The handle must have enough free space and soft-padded support. That way, your hands won’t suffer the effects of friction and high impacts.

In the case of shovels for digging clay, these are the most common types of handles:

An I-handle is basically a plastic cylinder that covers the tip of the shaft. They’re also known as straight handles. This design allows you to firmly grab the shaft with both hands and apply greater force. However, straight shafts tend to slip on sweaty hands. They can also cause blisters. Therefore, wear work gloves to prevent this.

D-handles also allow you to apply force with both hands. However, in this case, one hand goes on the round support and the other on the flat support. Usually, there are grooves on the round side that improve grip and provide stability.

On T-handles both hands are supported on a flat surface, one next to the other. It’s recommended to wear work gloves in this case. Usually, sweaty hands tend to slip sideways.

O-handles have plenty of free space so your hands can take the most comfortable position as possible. However, they don’t cushion high impacts as well as other types of handles, so your hands suffer too much during work.

But it is true that wooden basket with handle is the perfect handle. So, try to use wooden handle.

Garden Soil Type

Gardenia soil type are different. So, now you can see best soil for gardenias mix and types. If you see flies in garden soil or gnats in garden soil, that means that soil for gardenia plant or that is potting soil for gardenia. Yes, gardenia soil price depends on gardenia soil ph and gardenia soil mix. If you want to use organic garden soil; for example vegetable garden soil then buy garden soil which meets gardenia soil requirements. So, garden tiller tines can be okay.

Blade

In the case of shovels for digging in clay, sharp and serrated blades are the best choice. Sharp and straight blades are perfect for making clean cuts into the hard clay soil particles. On the other hand, serrated blades are better for cutting roots.

The blade should be made of a resistant material, such as stainless steel or high manganese carbon steel. Powder-coated blades are better because they can resist abrasion and external agents.

The most common types of blades used on shovels for digging in clay are as follows:

For penetrating compacted clay, round point blades and inverted “V” blades are best. However, inverted “V” blades are also effective for cutting roots. They also have two round tips instead of one, which facilitates penetration and reduces applied effort.

On the other hand, serrated blades are great for cutting roots but not the best for digging in clay. That’s because the excavated material tends to escape through the edges of the blade. In addition, the surface area of the head is considerably smaller.

Garden Tool

There are lots of garden tool available in the market. Garden tool company provides garden spike tool, garden tool rack, temper garden tool, garden aerator tool, tiller garden tool or garden tiller tool, blower garden tool, scythe garden tool. To keep safe your garden tool, you can use small garden tool store or garden tool storage shed. So, to carry these tools, you can use garden tool wagon. And to enjoy a garden, you can build a small garden tool shed or wooden garden tool shed. Use garden tool cart to keep safe all tools. Use garden tool kit or garden tool holder for longevity of tools.

Shaft

The shaft must be able to resist deformation and high stresses without breaking. Also, it shouldn’t be too short or too long. Therefore, it’s better to try the new shovel garden tool in a physical store before buying.

Best types of shafts are made of fiberglass and reinforced with steel or hardwood. Those shafts made of interspersed layers of fiberglass are much more flexible and resistant to breakage.

Hardwood shafts are quite good at absorbing high impacts. However, they tend to weaken in contact with water. Therefore, they’re more suitable for working with dry clay. On the other hand, steel shafts are the toughest of all but their weight may leave you with tired arms. So, need an auger trenching hoe tough soil digging fork gardening tool.

FAQs

After reading all this valuable information, now you’re better prepared to choose the best shovel for digging in clay soil nutrients. However, if you still have doubts, these FAQs and their answers will help to clear them all.

Q1. Are serrated blades good for digging in clay?

Yes. However, they aren’t the best option. The reduced capacity of their heads makes the digging bar process a bit longer and tedious.

Q2. What kind of shovel should I use on compacted clay?

Round point blades and inverted “V” blades are the best in this case. Their pointy tips make them especially efficient on hard terrain, like compacted clay.

Q3. How long should be the shaft of my scoop shovel?

The distance from the tip of the garden spade shovel head to the end of the shaft should be close to the distance between the tip of your feet to the middle point of your chest.

Q4. How can you sharpen the edges of a shovel head?

Use an emery and abrasive disc, following the same angle of the original edge.

Q5. Is it necessary to moisten clay before digging a hole in it?

It isn’t strictly necessary. However, it’s true that wet clay is easier to remove, making the digging process much easier.

Final Verdict

As you can see, you don’t need to be an expert to know how to dig a hole in clay. You only need the right digging shovel and know the right techniques. If this is your first time buying a shovel for digging in clay, make sure to follow each of the tips in this guide.