Okay, tool freaks...

[Chuck(G)]

I want to buy a good round-point long-handled shovel.

Forget True Temper, Ames, Corona and Ridgid. I want a shovel that will outlast me. We've got modified concrete for soil here that some laughingly refer to as "clay". I've broken every single one of the aforementioned brands. I don't mind too much if the handle breaks, but when the blade cracks like a hunk of stale bread, I get really upset.

Any suggestions on what to try next? Is there anything still made in the USA of domestic steel?

[ken k]

sounds like you need a jack hammer

[tubatooter1940]

I have a large axe that has been in my family for six generations or more.
Over the years it has had four new handles and three new heads.
Seriously Chuck(G), I am at a loss to recommend any good tool maker since my new set of Stanley screwdrivers had soft metal heads and handles breaking off.

[Chuck(G)]

Be a man, Chuck. Use your teeth.

Sounds good, Wade--now where do I get some made-in-the-USA steel teeth?

[tubeast]

At home we always used tools with handles made of ash.
Whenever we encountered material to be shoveled that was threatening to harm those, we loosened it up using a "Spitzhacke" (Don´t know the English term. Ash handle a little longer than a yard, roughly t-shaped with a rounded T-bar made of forged iron, about half the length of the handle, one half of the bar pointed, the other chisel-shaped).
Saved lots of time and effort as opposed to using the shovel alone, too.

[Chuck(G)]

At home we always used tools with handles made of ash.
Whenever we encountered material to be shoveled that was threatening to harm those, we loosened it up using a "Spitzhacke" (Don´t know the English term. Ash handle a little longer than a yard, roughly t-shaped with a rounded T-bar made of forged iron, about half the length of the handle, one half of the bar pointed, the other chisel-shaped).
Saved lots of time and effort as opposed to using the shovel alone, too.

I think your "Spitzacke" is either what's called a railroad pick:

<img src="http://www.homeandbeyond.com/dynamic/pr ... "width=400>

or a mattock pick:

<img src="http://www.homeandbeyond.com/dynamic/pr ... 4-zoom.jpg" width=400>

Yeah, got one and use it, but that doesn't solve the problem of cheaply-made shovels.

My planting spade is reinforced with welded bars and gussets and I fiberglassed the handle. I went through 3 drain spades in one month from the local Home Depot (they did honor the warranty, but it was getting tiresome) before I learned my lesson and shelled out 80 bucks for a good one from Terra Tech. I've had it for a decade.

But they don't carry a decent round-point shovel and told me that all they can get is junk nowadays. They don't think their planting spades are even as good as the old ones.

[tubeast]

So it´s "railroad pick" and "Mattock", then.
That´s what TUBENET is all about. Thanks folks.
(No, not mattocks, learning things is what TUBENET is about, of course)

Well, that leaves you pretty much with rural antique shops or garage sales. Even with those, an important rule of thumb applies to tools: if it´s cheap, it´ll be too expensive in the long run.

[Brassdad]

Southern rednecks refer to that as a "mattox"



another style...

oh man, recurring nightmares.....
we built my fathers house on a "clay" hillside. When digging out the front area for a concrete porch we used 2 mattox. one for me and one for him. I'll never forget how they would occasionally "ring" on impact and bounce back up after leaving "dents" about 1/2" deep in a couple of hard areas. That said, it did cut the clay that no shovel would. but if you have to dig a hole I'd be at a loss.
backhoe perhaps?

[Chuck(G)]

I think I found something.

I got to thinking that concrete contractors are less likely to tolerate tools that break--a broken tool can mean a spoiled job.

So this is what I foiund. Made in Warsaw, IN--they use 13 and 14 gauge steel for their shovel heads:

http://www.midwestrake.com/downloads/ca ... atalog.pdf

Probably not cheap, but if it's good, it'll be worth the price.

[Brassdad]

Shark Tooth Shovels!!!!
I like!

[davet]

Any suggestions on what to try next?

Timing- not a better tool. there are about 2 days a year when I can dig and the clay is not dry enough to be concrete nor wet enough to epoxy itself to the shovel blade.
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[windshieldbug]

Any suggestions on what to try next?

Chuck Norris. Rather than face him, the ground/rocks/clay will jump into your bucket.