Our Top Pick
Spear & Jackson 1180NB Neverbend Carbon Steel Digging Spade
Most gardeners — the proven, best-reviewed workhorse · Rated 4.7/5 · From $53
Check Price on Amazon for Spear & Jackson 1180NB Neverbend Carbon Steel Digging SpadeIf there is one tool every gardener truly needs, it is a good digging spade. It breaks new ground, edges borders, digs planting holes, lifts plants and turns compost. Monty Don calls a quality spade "absolutely indispensable" and reaches for his almost daily at Longmeadow. Get this one tool right and it will serve you for decades.
The trouble is that spades vary enormously, from cheap stamped-steel disappointments that bend at the neck to hand-forged heirlooms costing ten times as much. Below we compare the spades worth buying across every budget, with a clear recommendation for each type of gardener and soil. Whichever you choose, the guiding principle is Monty's: buy once, buy well.
At a Glance: The Best Garden Spades
A quick comparison — full reviews of each follow below.
| Spade | Best For | Rating | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall Spear & Jackson 1180NB Neverbend Carbon Steel Digging Spade Forged carbon steel (Neverbend reinforced) · 2.2 kg | Most gardeners — the proven, best-reviewed workhorse | 4.7/5 | $53 | Check Price for Spear & Jackson 1180NB Neverbend Carbon Steel Digging Spade on Amazon |
| Best Value Spear & Jackson Professional Neverbend Treaded Digging Spade Heavy-duty forged carbon steel, treaded top · 2.3 kg | Budget buyers who still want genuine Spear & Jackson durability | 4.5/5 | $45 | Check Price for Spear & Jackson Professional Neverbend Treaded Digging Spade on Amazon |
| Best Stainless — Ideal for Clay Draper Heritage 99014 Stainless Steel Digging Spade (Ash Handle) Mirror-polished stainless steel · 2 kg | Heavy clay soil, and anyone who wants stainless plus a real ash handle | 4.6/5 | $105 | Check Price for Draper Heritage 99014 Stainless Steel Digging Spade (Ash Handle) on Amazon |
| Best for Young Gardeners Spear & Jackson 4350CS Traditional Stainless Children's Spade Mirror-polished stainless steel · 1 kg | Children and budding young gardeners — a real spade, junior-sized | 4.5/5 | $50 | Check Price for Spear & Jackson 4350CS Traditional Stainless Children's Spade on Amazon |
Spear & Jackson 1180NB Neverbend Carbon Steel Digging Spade
Most gardeners — the proven, best-reviewed workhorse
Check Price on Amazon for Spear & Jackson 1180NB Neverbend Carbon Steel Digging SpadeSpear & Jackson Professional Neverbend Treaded Digging Spade
Budget buyers who still want genuine Spear & Jackson durability
Check Price on Amazon for Spear & Jackson Professional Neverbend Treaded Digging SpadeDraper Heritage 99014 Stainless Steel Digging Spade (Ash Handle)
Heavy clay soil, and anyone who wants stainless plus a real ash handle
Check Price on Amazon for Draper Heritage 99014 Stainless Steel Digging Spade (Ash Handle)Spear & Jackson 4350CS Traditional Stainless Children's Spade
Children and budding young gardeners — a real spade, junior-sized
Check Price on Amazon for Spear & Jackson 4350CS Traditional Stainless Children's SpadeThe Spades in Detail
Spear & Jackson
Spear & Jackson 1180NB Neverbend Carbon Steel Digging Spade
With over 1,500 reviews and a 4.5-star average, this is the spade most US gardeners actually buy and keep. Spear & Jackson's Neverbend range is built around a reinforced forged-carbon-steel blade that shrugs off heavy soil and root work. It is the closest thing to a do-everything adult digging spade at a sensible price.
- Blade
- Forged carbon steel (Neverbend reinforced)
- Handle
- Weatherproofed hardwood shaft, YD handle
- Weight
- 2.2 kg
- Best for
- Most gardeners — the proven, best-reviewed workhorse
Pros
- Over 1,500 reviews — the most trusted spade in this list
- Neverbend reinforced carbon steel takes serious abuse
- Comfortable weatherproofed shaft with a YD grip
Cons
- Carbon steel needs cleaning and a wipe of oil to prevent rust
- Heavier than a stainless border spade
Spear & Jackson
Spear & Jackson Professional Neverbend Treaded Digging Spade
The value pick. Same Sheffield Neverbend pedigree as our top choice, but the most affordable way into a proper forged digging spade. The treaded top edge is kinder on your boot when you drive the blade in by foot. If you want a tough adult spade for around forty-five dollars, this is it.
- Blade
- Heavy-duty forged carbon steel, treaded top
- Handle
- Weatherproofed hardwood shaft
- Weight
- 2.3 kg
- Best for
- Budget buyers who still want genuine Spear & Jackson durability
Pros
- Genuine forged carbon steel at an entry price
- Treaded top edge is comfortable underfoot
- Spear & Jackson lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Carbon steel needs occasional cleaning and oiling
- Fewer reviews than the 1180NB
Draper
Draper Heritage 99014 Stainless Steel Digging Spade (Ash Handle)
If you garden on heavy clay, this is the one to consider. The mirror-polished stainless blade sheds sticky soil and slices through clay with far less drag than carbon steel, while the solid ash handle gives it a lovely traditional feel. It is the priciest here, but it is the lowest-maintenance and the best on difficult ground.
- Blade
- Mirror-polished stainless steel
- Handle
- Solid ash handle, YD grip
- Weight
- 2 kg
- Best for
- Heavy clay soil, and anyone who wants stainless plus a real ash handle
Pros
- Stainless blade glides through clay and sheds wet soil
- Solid ash handle — traditional, shock-absorbing
- Virtually rust-free, minimal maintenance
Cons
- The most expensive option here
- Newer listing with fewer reviews
Spear & Jackson
Spear & Jackson 4350CS Traditional Stainless Children's Spade
Not a full-size adult spade — and that is the point. This is a properly made, 1 kg junior digging spade with a real mirror-polished stainless head, perfectly proportioned for children. If you want to get a young gardener started the Monty Don way, with a proper tool rather than a plastic toy, this is a lovely first spade.
- Blade
- Mirror-polished stainless steel
- Handle
- Ash handle, junior-sized YD grip
- Weight
- 1 kg
- Best for
- Children and budding young gardeners — a real spade, junior-sized
Pros
- A real, well-made tool scaled for children (just 1 kg)
- Mirror-polished stainless head resists rust
- Great way to get kids into gardening
Cons
- Too small for adult digging — it is a junior spade
- Not a substitute for a full-size spade
How to Choose a Garden Spade
The single most important feature of any spade is the joint between blade and shaft. The strongest is a solid-socket (or strapped) construction, where steel from the blade extends several inches up the shaft to reinforce the point of greatest stress. Avoid spades where the blade is simply pushed into a thin ferrule — these inevitably loosen and wobble.
For the blade itself, stainless steel is the practical choice for most gardeners. It resists rust, needs little upkeep, and slides through clay and wet soil with far less friction than carbon steel. The handle should be ash — which has a natural spring that absorbs shock — or fibreglass if you would rather never oil a wooden shaft. Finally, match the spade's length and weight to your body: it should reach somewhere between your hip and lower chest, and feel balanced enough to swing without straining your wrist.
Garden Spade FAQs
What spade does Monty Don use?
Monty Don's tools come predominantly from Sneeboer, the Dutch family forge that makes his famous trowel. For a digging spade he favours a traditional design with a stainless or forged steel blade and a solid-socket ash handle. His guiding principle is 'buy once, buy well' — a quality spade that will last decades rather than a cheap one replaced every few years.
Is a stainless steel or carbon steel spade better?
For most gardeners, stainless steel is the better choice. It resists rust, needs little maintenance, and — crucially — slides through heavy and clay soil with far less friction than carbon steel, because soil does not stick to the polished surface. Carbon steel holds a sharper edge and is favoured by some professionals, but it must be cleaned and oiled regularly to prevent rust.
How much should I spend on a garden spade?
A good adult digging spade costs between about $45 and $55, which covers the best-value forged options. Premium stainless spades with a solid ash handle run closer to $100. Monty Don argues that spending a little more on a well-made spade is cheaper in the long run, as a quality tool can last thirty years or more with basic care.
What is the difference between a digging spade and a border spade?
A digging spade has a larger, heavier blade designed for breaking ground, turning soil and cutting through roots. A border spade is smaller and lighter, intended for working in tight spaces among established plants. For your first and main spade, a standard digging spade covers the widest range of tasks.