Recommendations for clean cut spade

[rockfish]

Just had a trip out today and first use of a Black Ada Gladius, not stainless. Its bullet proof spade however first impressions its not been great making clean plugs. The ribs on the spade seem to just be a clod magnet.
The pasture Ive been on has some clay and top two inches has been damp with recent rain.
Any advice on clean cutting blade?

[Danno]

Have a look at Black Ada Sodbuster

[clint]

I bought a border spade and cut it to a point and sharpened it with an angle grinder. Apart from making a great spade for detecting the process is great fun.

[rockfish]

I bought a border spade and cut it to a point and sharpened it with an angle grinder. Apart from making a great spade for detecting the process is great fun.

I was thinking of doing that as my border spade I originally used makes a better hole.
The other thing when you sling the gladius onto your shoulder the foot assist can give you a bit of a knock on the neck

[Muaysteve]

Was thinking about purchasing the new Minelab Spade. Clean cut spade with a decent point. No serrations to clod up. Zero reviews yet as it’s so new but I might have just made my mind up

[jcmaloney]

Burgon & Ball border spade - straight off the shelf.

No angle grinding.

No ridges or "teeth".

Its a spade.

[Mega B]

Burgon & Ball border spade also gets my vote,absolutely brilliant bit of kit and still going after many many years of use and still will give me many more years of use,they could possibly use it to dig my grave as well

[pasttarg]

edges need to be razor sharp

[Koala]

Burgon & Ball border spade - straight off the shelf.

No angle grinding.

No ridges or "teeth".

Its a spade.

Correct

One spade isn’t perfect for every situation

But for 95% of the time a standard boarder gives you the best plug cut

Wavy bits waste of time

With a point it’s also more difficult to cleaning out the holes corners

Point is only needed on very hard ground or in pebbles

[clint]

Mine too is the B&B...you know you wanna see sparks..get cutting! I find the point good for winkling out bits in hard soil.

[Rhoco71]

My recommendation would be check out what others are using on digs. I use the Evolution Pro Cut D.

[SteveCB1000]

Nokta premium for me, great cut and well made, my old searcher one was ok but this cuts much better and is adjustable for size. And I got it brand new for half price so bargain

[ManOnTheMoon]

All this chat about digging implements has persuaded me to head over to the Burgon & Ball website, to see the range they have. As a new arrival to detecting I will be needing to acquire a suitable spade and trowel, so the specifications and prices for these tools are always of interest when considering a list of potential purchases.

This is the Burgon & Ball Border Spade mentioned above:
£42.99
Head: stainless steel
Head dimensions: 23cm long x 14cm wide
Overall length: 98cm
Weight: 1.67kg

This Transplanting Spade looks pretty similar to some of the spades offered by manufacturers specialising in detecting tools:
£42.99
Head: stainless steel
Head dimensions: 28cm long x 14cm wide
Overall length: 104cm
Weight: 1.86kg

Some might appreciate the rounded point of this Small Groundbreaker Spade:
£48.99
Head: stainless steel
Head dimensions: 23.5cm long x 18cm wide
Overall length: 98cm
Weight: 1.75kg

There is also a larger sibling to the rounded point variety, the Large Groundbreaker Spade:
£49.99
Head: stainless steel
Head dimensions: 28cm long x 18cm wide
Overall length: 111cm
Weight: 1.94kg

Perhaps younger detectorists, or those of short stature, could benefit from the Children's Digging Spade:
£32.99
Head: stainless steel
Head dimensions: 17cm long x 13.5cm wide
Overall length: 85cm
Weight: 970g

If you fancy more browsing, all the Burgon & Ball spades can be seen here!

The trowels section might also be of interest?

[ManOnTheMoon]

Was thinking about purchasing the new Minelab Spade. Clean cut spade with a decent point. No serrations to clod up.

I hadn't noticed that one before, but after a web search I see that several suppliers stock it. It looks good, and seems reasonable value at just under £50.

[SteveCB1000]

Manonthemoon there's some good looking spades there