On Sun, 11 Dec 2016 18:38:27 -0000 (UTC), HerHusband
wrote:

I am looking for recommendations for a great shovel.

I don't have a recommendation for a specific shovel, but I will say the
ones with fiberglass handles hold up a lot better.

Over the years we have dug a lot of trenches on our property for power
lines, water lines, drain lines, etc. Not to mention general digging in the
garden, or preparing for foundations.

The first few years I must have gone through a half dozen wood handled
shovels. The blade holds up fine, but the wood handles always broke trying
to pry out a rock or root. I wasn't applying that much pressure when they
broke either.

I finally spent a little more and got a shovel with a fiberglass handle
(from the local home center) and it has lasted me over 25+ years. In the
last year or two the very tip of the shovel has started to bend, making it
harder to dig into firm soil. So far I've been able to straighten it out
again with a hammer and it's good to go for another summer. But at some
point it's going to get too weak and I'll have to replace the shovel.

Good luck,

Anthony Watson
www.watsondiy.com
www.mountainsoftware.com

thanks, I will have to take another look at fiberglass handles.