Backsaver garden spade
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Wolf Terrex Spade another alternative garden spade design, this from the 1970's for disabled gardeners 
Large handle bars for leverage also support your stance. Soil thrown forward by hinged lever action. No lifting, weight supported by ground. A bit cumbersome. Fork attachment. Now discontinued, but often available on eBay.
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Spear & Jackson Backsaver Garden Spade 
Longer than average, ergonomic 'spade of spring' |
First let me assure you of the quality of fabrication. The bend is in the temper of the metal not in the joints. With some garden spades of composite materials the plastic and metal joins are weaknesses waiting to break. But with the 'Backsaver' the metal blade is firmly hafted onto a metal shaft. A D-shaped plastic handle is firmly attached at the top. There's no give in these joints.
So why have a more flexible spade - a spade of spring?
The answer is that the spring stores energy just like winding a clock or elastic band. Strain that might stretch your tendons and joints is absorbed in the spring. When the soil gives, the energy is released.
The 'Backsaver' garden spade also has a longer handle than most spades, going deeper and providing extra leverage. The only way to use a spade is by leverage.
The spade blade is narrower and longer than most spades and the cutting edge is slightly curved. There's also a tread bar to steady and apply more boot force. The result, a spade that slips easily into the soil. It is well suited to garden trench work and transplanting shrubs.
The front face of the spade has a more pronounced concave curve than most garden spades. This means the virtual focus of the applied force is nearer the blade face. In other words it concentrates force on a smaller soil volume where it is more effective.
The proof of the pudding is in the digging and I like this spade now. It is also lighter than stainless steel garden spades.
The real name of my 'spade of spring' is the Spear & Jackson 'Backsaver' Garden Spade. Spear & Jackson 'Backsaver' Spade - click on the above link then select garden tools. I don't often see the 'Backsaver' spade in the shops so it may be worth taking a look here.
But I should tell you that the S&J 'Backsaver' garden fork doesn't deliver the same advantage. With this tool the spring and curve of the tines do not work in your favour when thrusting down to penetrate hard soil.
BOTTOM SPIT - more information and links
