What shovel to get?

[Ringtop-grafter]

My brief research indicates Roughneck produce a variety of shovels and spades, of which the square-ended variety can obviously be ignored when looking for one like this.

Ringtop-grafter, could you please confirm the overall length of your shovel, so as to more accurately identify it amongst the other similar looking Roughneck round head implements available? Roughneck D-handled round head shovels vary from 69.3 to 107 cm in total length, and I am guessing your shovel is probably about 88 cm/34½ inches long? Thanks.

Exactly that mate 88cm/34.5 inches long, perfect or me at 5ft 11inch Tall/but that’s pretty short nowadays compared to my son and his mates who are all beanpoles 6ft 2 up over

[ManOnTheMoon]

Exactly that mate 88cm/34.5 inches long, perfect or me at 5ft 11inch Tall ...

That confirms it then, you have the Roughneck 'Mini Shovel - Round'!

Seekers of digging tools can check the Roughneck website for types and specifications here: Shovels and Forks

Ringtop-grafter's good value model, at 150mm x 880mm/6" x 34½", is this one:
Mini Shovel - Round (68-010)

I know some detectorists prefer really short shovels, so perhaps this little fellow will fit the bill, at 150mm x 690mm/6" x 27“: Micro Shovel - Round (68-004)

The 'Great River Rainforest' website, and websites of tool suppliers in general, can then be perused for competitive shopping!

[Andimakk]

5C7000F7-B516-46FC-8099-73E3DC987932.jpeg

This is my LUCKY new SPADE , She’s a bit Bling but as I’m going to be uprooting gold I wanted a nice spade ‘ the Viking letters ‘ runes Spell Andy and luck will follow me .

[ManOnTheMoon]

She’s a bit Bling ......

You don't say?

But I have to admire your optimism about the 'themed' spade - good luck with the gold hunting!

[Koala]

3 foot usable
3 1/2 foot ideal

I am 6`2" damaged back

[YHUP]

Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions.

I got a surplus Bundeswehr entrenching tool which seems to be pretty good quality. I'll consider a larger non-folding spade in the future, I do have one that's just a tad bit too large.

I'll be using this thread as reference when I do the next bit of shopping.

[roodymiller]

Just buy a stainless spade and cut it to shape and sharpen with an angle grinder... or get someone else to do it