Wide Range of Professional Digging Tools and Shovels for Every Job

At Lapwing, we’re committed to offering “trusted brands, trusted products and trusted service – for every customer, on every job.” Our selection of high-quality shovels and digging tools is curated with this in mind. You can trust us to get you all the high-quality spades, shovels, and other professional digging tools you need quickly. Whatever your requirement, whether it’s cable-laying, trench-digging, landscaping or any application, we have just the construction tools for the job. We’re backed by almost three decades of tool supply experience and have carved a reputation as one of the UK’s leading site equipment suppliers. Shop with confidence today at Lapwing.

Types of Digging Tools Available

Poly Fibre Insulated Tools

Designed for work near live cabling. Manufactured to BS 8020:2012, each tool is individually flash tested to 10,000 V. Insulated shovels feature an insulated body to protect the user should they accidentally breach underground electrical cabling.

All-Steel

Constructed from durable steel components with solid forged blades and sockets for ultimate strength and toughness in a range of site applications. All-steel digging tools are the pinnacle of hard-wearing equipment.

Ash MYD

With a natural ash hilt and mid-section and an MYD handle, these traditional spades and digging shovels are a dependable, affordable option and make an ideal garden shovel and site tool alike.

Best Shovel Provider in the UK

For the best professional digging tools, the UK comes to Lapwing. We offer more than 30 different types of specialised, durable shovels and other digging tools, each constructed using premium materials and designed to help you get the job done.

Work smarter, not harder – find the best builder’s shovel for your next project at Lapwing and enjoy free shipping on all orders over £150 as well as next working day delivery when you checkout before 5 pm.

Key Features to Consider in Shovels and Digging Tools

• Shovel Blade Design: Different digging tools feature different blades, each suited to a particular use. For example, spades with a pointed or rounded end concentrate the digging force on a smaller surface area and cut through harder terrain more easily. By contrast, a shovel or spade with a flatter, wider blade is suited to moving large quantities of soft earth or fine aggregates. More specialised blades, such as those found on Newcastle drainer spades, are designed to dig deep, narrow trenches and channels.
• Handle Construction: Insulated and Poly Fibre handles are chosen to provide protection when working near live electrical cables. All steel spade and shovel handles offer outstanding strength and durability, and ash MYD handles blend tensile strength and low weight. The length and shape of your handle matters too, as a long handle digging shovel can give you more leverage, and a shorter one can be easier to operate in smaller spaces.
• Shovel Material Quality: Because they’re subject to such high levels of wear and tear, it’s crucial that professional digging tools are made from high-quality materials. At Lapwing, we carefully select the tools we stock and ensure the materials are of the highest quality possible, including forged carbon steel blades, durable, lightweight handles designed to avoid breakages in the user’s hand and shock-resistant insulation for protection from electrical hazards.

Shovels and Digging Tool FAQs

FAQs

What are the key features of a high-quality digging tool?

When selecting your ideal professional digging tool, you should look out for a few key features:

• Whether the blade is stamped or forged – forged blades made from high-carbon steel will always be stronger, whereas stamped blades will be weaker, although usually cheaper.
• Shaft and handle construction – whether the handle is made using sturdy materials, designed to protect the user from fatiguing reverberations, electrical shocks or harm caused by potential handle breakages.
• How the blade is attached to the shaft – pay attention to how the blade is attached to the shaft of the spade or shovel, as weak welds and open back mounting can be potential weak points.

How to choose the right digging tool for specific tasks?

It’s crucial to select the correct tool for the job. For example, a pointed shovel is likely to be better suited to digging, especially in hard ground, whereas a flat-edged spade will perform better in landscaping tasks such as edging.

Some more specialised tools such as drainers or trenching shovels are designed to allow you to easily dig deep, narrow trenches, but won’t allow you to move large amounts of earth at a time.

What maintenance practices enhance the lifespan of digging tools?

Here are a few tips to help extend the lifespan of your digging tools –

• Remove soil: After each use, remove all the mud from your spade or digging shovel using a hose or screwdriver, or even a stick or stone.
• Prevent rust: Oiling your shovel blades is a good way to drive out moisture and prevent rust. An easy way to do this consistently is to fill a large bucket with builder’s sand and pour in a good dose of engine oil. The oil and the detergents within it will help keep your spade or shovel blade clean and rust-free long-term.
• Sharpen the edges: Keeping the edges of your spades and shovels sharp will help reduce stress on you and the handles, allowing you to work more easily and preserving their lifespan.