what kind of shovel?

Callieslamb · #1 04/04/08, 03:30 PM

I mean the handle, of course. I want to get a spare shovel. I see that there are fiberglass? handles now. Are they okay, or do they easily break. I do use my shovel as a pry bar at times - digging and prying small stumps out of the ground. I haven't broken the current shovel handle yet...which makes me vote for another wooden handled shovel. Which would you choose?

Can you replace a fiberglass handle like you can a wooden one?

uncle Will in In. · #2 04/04/08, 03:41 PM

The fiberglass handles are harder to break but more work to use as they are heavy. Since you are a woman and haven't broken your handle yet, I'd stay with the wooden handle. If you already have a good shovel, why are you wanting another. Have you got hopes of a volunteer helping you? LOL

Jennifer L. · #3 04/04/08, 04:10 PM

I've got a fiberglass handled shovel that I bought because I wanted one that won't break. Yeah, well, it's a PITA. The problem with it is it's a big diameter to make it strong enough. Not really too noticeable until you start using it. I've got big hands, as big as most mens' hands, and my hand doesn't comfortably go around the handle for a nice grip. I much prefer my other wooden handled shovels that have a slender shape to the handles.

Get a wooden one, keep it inside when you aren't using it, and resist prying with it. Been there, done that, pretty much have myself cured of it (only took 40 years).

Jennifer

RichieC · #4 04/04/08, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jennifer L.

I've got a fiberglass handled shovel that I bought because I wanted one that won't break. Yeah, well, it's a PITA. The problem with it is it's a big diameter to make it strong enough. Not really too noticeable until you start using it. I've got big hands, as big as most mens' hands, and my hand doesn't comfortably go around the handle for a nice grip. I much prefer my other wooden handled shovels that have a slender shape to the handles.

Get a wooden one, keep it inside when you aren't using it, and resist prying with it. Been there, done that, pretty much have myself cured of it (only took 40 years).

Jennifer

But, if you know you won't be able to resist prying with it, get a fiberglass handle.

You can get replacement fiberglass handles.

morrowsmowers · #5 04/04/08, 05:04 PM

Learn to use the proper tools for the job. Use the shovel for digging and it will last for years. I prefer the fiberglass handle, myself. Get one of those long metal digger/pry bars for getting the stumps out. They, too, will last for years.

Ken in Glassboro, NJ

Scrounger · #6 04/04/08, 05:46 PM

I bought 3-4 of the fiberglass handled ones and will NEVER buy one again. I've never broken a wood handled one that didn't rot out at the base first. ALL of the fiberglass handled ones broke while shoveling dirt.
I'll stick with a real WOOD handle from now on.

uncle Will in In. · #7 04/04/08, 06:46 PM

If you have a Menards store in your area, they have pretty decent long wood handled shovele for .99 cents this week after rebate.

sammyd · #8 04/04/08, 07:46 PM

I've broke a few of those fiberglass handles. I prefer wood.

farmergirl · #9 04/04/08, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrounger

I bought 3-4 of the fiberglass handled ones and will NEVER buy one again. I've never broken a wood handled one that didn't rot out at the base first. ALL of the fiberglass handled ones broke while shoveling dirt.
I'll stick with a real WOOD handle from now on.

Ditto. I will never buy another fiberglass handled tool, if at all avoidable.

Toads tool · #10 04/04/08, 08:11 PM

I 've broken both kinds.
But the fiberglass shovel can give you some wicked splinters, alot worse than wood.
They can get brittle with age and use and get more prone to splinters. At least with a wood handle you can treat them with turpentine/boiled linseed oil and preserve the flex and moisture in the handle.
I like wood the best.

Scrounger · #11 04/04/08, 09:21 PM

I actually have part of a shovel handle that belonged to my Great-Grandfather. It was documented in his journal that he made it from a Hedge tree branch in 1870. It was handed down to my uncle, who gave it to me as a cane when I had knee surgery. It would probably still have the shovel attached to it if it hadn't been run over by a truck in the 1970's. I was fortunate to use it as a shovel before the accident. My cousin has the shovel.

Callieslamb · #12 04/04/08, 09:56 PM

I think I will stick with the wood. I did notice that the fiberglass handle was bigger around - an issue, though I do have hands that are plenty large. I certainly don't need any more splinters than I usually get.

No Menards here. Rats. That sounded like a great deal!

I haven't broken a wooden handle yet. I have, however, bent my current shovel several times right aross the shovel below where it connects to the handle. It is weak there and though it is fine now, eventually it is going to break right through that area. It happened to my last shovel too, but 10 years ago. I don't till my garden so a shovel is a necessary 'weapon' of choice.

And yes! I would love to give all volunteers the opportunity to help all they want. Just the other day, DD was here for a visit and helping me dig some raspberry starts for friends.....Sure wish I had had another shovel so I could have helped her.

Rocky Fields · #13 04/04/08, 10:01 PM

Hey.

Stick with a wooden handle.

I prefer the older wood handled forged shovels that are often available at thrift sales for a buck or two. A lot of the new Chinese carp will have blades that bend and crack easy.

RF

vallyfarm · #14 04/04/08, 10:52 PM

Take a look at FISKARS tools. Their shovel has a sort of triangle shaped steel handle. Large foot step for comfort too. Excelent tool. EEveryone that has used it went out and got one for themselves too. Mike

Callieslamb · #15 04/05/08, 07:47 AM

I will avoid Chinese and look for fiskars.

fishhead · #16 04/05/08, 07:55 AM

That's a good point about the large diameter of the fiberglass shovels. The tighter you can close your hand the stronger your grip and I think the less wear and tear on your joints.

Quint · #17 04/06/08, 12:08 AM

I've got both and between the two I have to say I prefer the fiberglass. What I really prefer is the shovels I've put metal handles on. I've got a couple of really ancient shovels that I put metal handles on and I wouldn't get rid of them for anything. Nice long handles (I'm tall) and D grips on the end.

Up North Louie · #18 04/06/08, 06:10 AM

Did you fabricate your own metal handles? Do they add much in the way of weight?

I received a fiberglass-handled shovel as a gift. It was a regular, old, slightly pointed, round-nosed shovel. The actual working end of it is okay, fairly decent steel. But that fiberglass handle was worse than bad, in my estimation. It is now used as a coat hanger pole, and it isn't overly good at that. I thought it was too whippy and spring-y and it seemed to vibrate a lot. It made my arms go numb.

It could well be that I just ended up with a really early one that hadn't had the benefit of actual use in the field before production, or maybe it was somehow defective. But I am not about to buy one.

Don

Big Dave · #19 04/06/08, 09:42 AM

I have had both and do prefer the wood. The fiberglass splinters and splits down the shaft. Have not had one break yet. I need to find how to replace the fiberglass handles I have that are bad.

hunter63 · #20 04/06/08, 10:17 AM

Wood, they seem to be balanced better and feel good.

I have a fiberglass handle on a big maul, the fiberglass seemed to kinda wisp up if you hit it on something (yeah, I know your not supposed to hit the handle), but it seems like I was getting 'glass splinter in my hands when not wearing gloves.

Old saying, "You can tell a lot about a man, by the number of shovel he wears out...."

P.S. These days I prefer the bucket on the front of the tractor, steel handle w/hydraulics for most stuff.