Questions and answers
Which spade is the right one?
Basically, spades are differentiated according to their intended use or soil conditions. Below you will find the most important spades:
Garden spade
This type of spade is used in the garden and is an all-round model. It is used for digging, planting and prying up smaller plants. The Holsteiner Rüffel from our forge is the ideal gardening spade. It is the ideal tool both as a spade for gardening and landscaping and as a spade for private gardens.
Grubbing spade
This type of spade is used for clearing and levering out plants, hedges and heavily rooted soil. The digging spade is an extremely rugged spade. With its stronger blade, powerful handle attachment and thicker handles, it is the best spade for the toughest jobs. It is a specialty spade and is more powerful than conventional models due to its higher weight. The straight cutting edge is ideal for digging roots. The digging spade is used in gardening and landscaping, civil engineering and in tree nurseries.
We offer digging spades forged from one piece from our forge. With 6 different models and different sizes.
Ladies spade
The ladies' spade is a very light spade. It combines handiness and ergonomics. Due to its slightly shorter design and lower weight, it is often used for light gardening work. It is available from our forge as a Bremen spade. Forged from one piece and with a thin, sharp spade blade that allows you to reach into the soil very easily.
How big a spade should be?
You can determine the optimal total length of the spade as follows:
While standing, measure the distance between the ground and your first rib arch. Our spades are designed to be the optimal length for an average height of around 1.80m. It is not necessary to take this into account to the nearest centimeter.
The size of the spade blade should not be chosen according to the motto "more is more". Rather, the rule "the heavier the ground, the narrower the spade" applies. A narrow spade blade penetrates heavy ground better. A spade blade that is too large may lead to greater strain on the back. A good size for an average ground is roughly length: 270mm-290mm width: 150mm-170mm.
What is a good spade?
We are convinced that spades that are forged entirely from one piece are the best possible garden tools in terms of function and durability. The forged material is robust and tough and can withstand the most demanding of stresses. Wooden handles made from the best ash wood and solid riveting are just as important. A handle holder that absorbs excess forces and thus protects the handle. In addition to these aspects, the purchase of high-quality tools is sustainable and usually only necessary once. Do you want the best possible work experience and result? Then we recommend a high-quality forged tool from our forge.
The most important properties at a glance:
1. Spade blade and handle holder forged from one piece
2. Spade blade is conical (it sharpens itself)
3. Ash wood handle, unpainted (absorbs sweat from the hand)
4. Connection between spade blade and handle is riveted
How do I recognize a forged spade?
Spade forges are extremely rare these days. The special hammers required and the knowledge that is sometimes centuries old are rarely found in Germany. Spades are often offered as forged, but unfortunately they are not. The term is often used in advertising because it indicates quality. So how do you recognize a properly forged spade made from one piece?
1. The surface of the spade blade
If you take a closer look at the surface of the material, you can see the typical forging marks of each individual hammer blow. The surface is not completely smooth and has a few small black spots. These marks can still be seen even after polishing.
2. The right and left edges taper conically towards the cutting edge
Forged spades are conically shaped. This means that the spade blade becomes thinner from the tread edge to the cutting edge. This allows the spade to slide more easily into the ground and sharpens itself as you work.
3. No stability housing in the spade blade
Forged spades get their toughness from hundreds of hammer blows. The blacksmith leaves a thicker material thickness in the middle of the spade. Similar to the human spine, the so-called back ensures the stability of the spade blade. This means that the forged spade has a completely smooth surface with no blockages. The usual stability housings, to which soil sticks and which have to be pressed into the ground with a lot of force, are therefore not necessary.
Which spade to use for digging?
Spades with curved handles are particularly suitable for digging. The curved handle means the spade is at a more angled position, so that the earth does not slip off the spade blade as easily when digging. The angle also provides better leverage and enables more ergonomic work thanks to a more upright posture.
Which spade for roots?
One of the biggest challenges when working in the ground is roots of all types and sizes. The conical forged spade is particularly good at digging up roots. The thin, sharp spade blade cuts through the roots like a knife, making soil cultivation much easier. The so-called root spade has been on the market for a few years now, and is also available from our forge. There is usually a V-shaped cutout in the spade to guide the roots to the cutting edge and cut them there. However, as the root spade is a special spade for digging up roots, it cannot otherwise be used for gardening. Our recommendation is therefore: use a conical forged spade. This is particularly good at digging up roots, so in most cases a special spade is not even necessary.
How do I sharpen a spade?
A sharp spade is an important tool in the garden. Clean and easy cutting of roots and easy penetration into the soil are immensely important. Sharpening a spade properly is not difficult. Forged spades usually only require a light honing of the blade using a file. When sharpening, make sure that a spade blade does not have to be razor sharp. Use suitable gloves to work safely on the blade. We explain how to sharpen a very blunt blade in a video in our media library.