Spade blade shapes

A spade is used primarily for digging around or loosening fields or beds, and for digging planting holes. Over time, many different blade shapes have evolved - mainly as an adaptation to regional soil conditions.

 

These can be divided into two basic shapes:

  • Spades with a rounded piercing edge for sandy and loamy soils
  • Spades with a pointed piercing edge for hard, stony and rooted soils

Most amateur gardeners will do best with a spade in the classic "gardener's form" because this blade form can be used universally on most mixed soils.

However, there are also specialists designed for a specific purpose, such as the draining spade or the KRAFTSPATEN.

Our spade modells at a glance

The all-round model for all common gardening tasks. The slightly rounded piercing edge allows easy penetration into the soil

Gardener form
for "normal" medium firm and slightly stony soils

For working loose and sandy soils, we recommend models with a widened and rounded piercing edge.
For heavy marsh and clay soils, a narrow blade shape is advantageous.

The regional designation gives an indication of the general and typical soil characteristics of the region!

Bremer form

 

Flensburger form

 

Vierländer form

 

Marsh spade
for heavy marsh and clay soils

A pointed spade blade makes piercing the soil much easier, especially in hard, stony or rooted soil. Not so much force is needed and the stones are pushed aside as the blade penetrates the soil.

The regional name indicates the general and typical soil conditions of the region!

Auricher form

 

Kieler form

 

Geestemünder form

 

Spieker form

 

Drainage spade
narrow, deep soil holes for fence posts or soakaways

KRAFTSPATEN
A combination of a spade and a crowbar: high impact and up to 2t of leverage

Spieker form
for cutting peat and digging out long-rooted plants (e.g. conifers)

Spade shovel
for working hard and rooted soils and for transporting the soil

Nursery spade
cuts through solid roots and is specially designed for high loads

Foldable spade
sturdy and lightweight folding or camping spade

Lady spade

Some spades have an overall smaller blade and are lighter than the conventional models. This makes digging or shifting quantities of soil - especially in heavy soils - much easier. These lighter spades are specifically designed for anyone who prefers simple and easy handling and professionals who want to use the spade for extensive planting work.

Size comparison
BRITTA-spade – IDEAL-spade

Blade shape - basic statements

Spaten mit einem runden Blatt

the sandier the soil,
the rounder the cutting edge

Spaten mit einem spitzen Blatt

the stonier / more rooted the soil,
the pointier the cutting edge

Spaten mit einem breiten Blatt

the looser the soil,
the wider the blade

Spaten mit einem schmalen Blatt

the loamier / clayey the soil,
the narrower the blade

Spaten mit einem großen Blatt

the drier / lighter the soil,
the larger the blade

Spaten mit einem kleinen Blatt

the more humid / heavy the soil,
the smaller the blade

Spaten mit einem rechteckigen Blatt

the looser the soil,
the more rectangular the blade

Spaten mit einem trapezförmigen Blatt

the more compact / solid the soil,
the more trapezoidal the blade