You can rest assured that all of our retailers have met our stringent standards and have 'secure servers' which means that you can be sure that your credit card details and other personal information will be sent safely. A standard spade is larger and may prove quicker to use. However for those who prefer a lighter tool or who are worried about putting too much strain on their back, the smaller border spade may be a better choice. Most spades are made of carbon steel. When cleaned and oiled after use, this should not rust.
Some spades have a 'non-stick' coating to make digging and cleaning easier.
However this may wear off with use. A more expensive alternative is stainless steel. This should never rust and some gardeners find it easier to work with, particularly on clay soils, as the earth slides from the blade more readily. It is important that the spade is the correct length for your height as this will reduce the strain that digging will put on your back. There are three common handle shapes.