When you need to buy a shovel, don’t just go picking one off the shelf at random or selecting one according to what is the cheapest. Shovels by their nature take a lot of strain, so make sure you buy the strongest, best-made one you can afford.

DIYMaster shows you in a 4 min, 43 second video on Life Videopedia just what to look for. He does this the best way possible, by comparing an inferior No 2 shovel with a strong and well-made one. As the DIYMaster says, “Shovels are the most frequently used tool, but they do come in a bewildering array of sizes and quality types.” That sums up the reason you should look at this video before taking the seemingly pedestrian step of going out to buy a shovel.

I learned a few fascinating facts from DIYMaster, who certainly knows his shovels. The most commonly used size shovel is a number 2 shovel (the size he demonstrates in the video). Your shovel should be appropriate to your age, strength, state of health and the task you envisage for the shovel.

Then there are two basic ways in which these shovels are constructed. (This is really interesting.) There is the hollow head type, which is beaten steel with a handle pushed through the frog-like fitting at the end of the head. And then there is the super-strong and properly made type, the forged steel type which is manufactured at high heat (1600 to 2000 degrees) and formed into a shape. These forged shovels are heavier and denser than the sheet metal type, really good for heavy duty work and long life. The forged type has a strong, hollow tube into which the handle fits snuggly so no water and dirt gets in to promote perishing. A really good shovel will have a tube that does not end straight where the wooden handle enters but has a tail-tab with an extra rivet for extra rivet. Watch the video for details of this vital characteristic of a good shovel. Finally, the handle should be good, clean, straight-grained piece of lumber, usually American ash, with the grain running parallel to your leg, straight down to the shovel-head for extra strength. And make sure the handle is the right height for you. A shovel should be as custom-made for yourself and your task as it possibly can be without going to an ironsmith to have one made.

This video on “How to Select the Right Shovel” was quite a surprise. There was definitely no major effort taken to make this video; it was obviously one take in the middle of a hardware store. However, the gentleman speaking in the video was extremely knowledgeable about shovels (and probably a bunch of other stuff too). If you are in the market for a new shovel and don’t know where to start, you should definitely take five minutes to watch this video first. It will make your job much easier and help you find exactly what you need.

The unidentified man in this video brought forth a great deal of information. Here are a few introductory comments. The shovel is the most frequently used tool. There are many, many sizes and quality types. At a typical hardware outlet, you will see about 20 different shovels. Who would have known? Apparently, a shovel is not just a shovel.

If you watch this video, you will learn about the various shovel sizes. A #2 shovel has a head that is 9” x 11” and a #1 shovel has a head smaller than a #2. The next size down is a #0 and shovel sizes go all the way down to a floral shovel, which has not been assigned a number. A person’s ability to use a large shovel depends on their size, age, and strength. For example, a 36-year-old man in good health can handle a larger shovel easier than a 75-year-old man in fragile health.

A shovel should be chosen according to the task for which it is intended. A small shovel should be used in a tight area while a large shovel can be used in an open area. A smaller shovel is also a better choice for dense soil.

When selecting a shovel, you should pay attention to the quality of the head. A forward shovel is stronger, heavier, and denser than a hollow back shovel.

These too are an important factor. A connection with two rivets is preferred over a straight should connection which has one rivet. The two rivets make the connection stronger.

You should look for a good, clean straight grain handle. The grain of the wood should be tight and properly aligned. If the grain is running in the wrong direction, then the shovel will be easier to break.

Lastly, be aware that there are different length shovels available. Choose length according to your height.