Shovels and spades
Models, stamp mark, socket angle, and blade width
Shovels and spades come in all kinds of models. Depending on the application or region, a certain shovel or spade is commonly used. A shovel or spade has a so-called stamp mark. This coding provides information about the socket angle and blade width of the shovel or spade. Thanks to this coding, users know exactly which shovel or spade they need and for what kind of work.
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Shovel and spade models
The terms shovel, spade, and scoop are used interchangeably, often for the same type of tool. This is usually region-specific or comes from a dialect. When people talk about a shovel or a spade, they are almost always referring to the same tool. For example, a Drenthe-style spade is the same as a digging shovel and also as a pan shovel. A Holland-style spade refers to a scoop shovel, which is also called a sand shovel. The term scoop is more of a collective name for all kinds of shovels and spades.
Below are a number of commonly used models.
Scoop shovel
Holland-style shovel Sand shovel
Concrete shovel
Holsteiner shovel
Leveling shovel
Cable shovel
Deep shovel
Banana shovel
Frankfurter
German shovel
Stamp mark for shovels and spades
The stamp mark, coding, or size marking on the blade of a shovel or spade stands for the socket angle* and blade width. Based on the stamp mark, it can be determined what type of shovel or spade it is and for which tasks it is best suited.
The ‘D’ with the number 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4 stands for the socket angle. In other words, how high the socket is bent upward. The higher the socket angle, the more slanted the socket is. This determines whether a shovel or spade is designed for digging or scooping.
The zeros stand for the blade width. The more zeros, the narrower the blade. So ‘000’ is narrower than ‘0’. The zeros stamped into the blade therefore do not indicate the hardness of the steel, as is sometimes thought.
*The socket is the round sleeve in which the handle is mounted. The socket is also referred to as the handle connection.
Socket angle of shovels and spades
The socket angle indicates the angle relative to the blade. The higher the socket angle, the more slanted the socket is. This determines whether a shovel or spade is designed for digging or scooping. The socket angle is measured from the ground to the socket when the blade lies flat on the ground.
The socket angles are 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4. With an almost completely straight socket angle, no number is shown in the stamp mark.
It is important to choose a suitable handle for the socket angle, depending on the application. The bend of the handle also helps determine how flat or straight the blade sits on the ground during use.
Straight
1/2
For scoop shovels and concrete shovels
3/4
For scoop shovels and cable shovels
Blade width of shovels and spades
In the past, blade widths ranged from size 2 to 0, with 2 being the largest. Over time, the blades had to become smaller due to working conditions, and smaller sizes were introduced. It is sometimes thought that the zeros indicate the hardness of the blade, but this is not the case.
Blade sizes for shovels and spades, from large to small, are: 2 – 1 – 0 – 00 – 000
There are exceptions when it comes to the blade width indication. The Frankfurter model shovel has a blade width of no less than 5. It is therefore extra wide. Cable shovels are very narrow. Here, the blade width is indicated in centimeters.
Scoop shovel
Blade width of 0, 00, 1, or 2
Socket angle bent upward 1/2 or 3/4
Concrete shovel
Blade width of 0, 1, or 2
Socket angle bent upward 1/2 or 3/4
Cable shovel
Blade width 10, 11.5, 14 or 16 cm
Socket angle bent upward 1/2 or 3/4
Frankfurter
Blade width 5
Socket angle bent upward 3/4
Digging shovel
A digging shovel, or Drenthe-style spade, is straight and flat with a flat edge. A digging shovel is intended for all-around digging work, ground stakes, and possibly scooping. The socket is fairly straight and usually has a socket angle bent upward 1/4. A digging shovel often has a slightly bent or bent shovel handle, allowing fairly straight digging into the ground. A scoop shovel is more convenient for scooping (potting) soil, sand, and gravel. A digging shovel is also called a pan shovel, or in Brabant dialect, a 'Panneke'.
Most digging shovels have a socket angle bent upward 1/4. This places the blade in an ideal position for digging and excavating. Some digging shovels are made with an almost completely straight socket angle. Because of the extremely straight blade position, this is especially useful for digging.
Blade width 000 is a commonly used size for digging shovels. In addition, width 00 is also quite common. Wider blades are mainly found on scoop shovels and sand shovels. Narrower blades are more common on a cable shovel.
Professional users and true DIYers like to use a polished digging shovel. Soil and sand stick less easily to a polished blade, and the blade "cuts" through the ground more smoothly.
A digging shovel with a step (shoulder strip) is often chosen. In this version, there is a round or flat strip on the rounded upper side of the blade (the shoulders). This provides extra grip and protects footwear from damage while digging.
Which handle fits a digging shovel?
Virtually all shovel handles and shovel handles fit a digging shovel. A slightly bent to bent ash wood shovel handle with through-mount T-grip is the most ideal. In combination with the socket angle, these bent handles provide the perfect angle and the most ergonomic working posture possible. Most people choose a shovel handle with a length of 110 cm. But lengths of 100 cm, 120 cm, and 130 cm are also popular.
Virtually all digging shovels are supplied with and without a handle.