Working in the yard can be taxing on the body. It takes a great deal of effort to mow the lawn, rake the leaves, and just move stuff around. Things become even tougher when you aren’t using the right tools for the job. For example, if you’re trying to do some landscaping, it will be difficult to pull that off if you don’t have the right type of shovel on hand.
So, what is the right kind of shovel?
In recent years, more and more tools known as root shovels have hit the marketplace and they are specially designed to make digging around in your yard an easier undertaking.
To learn more about root shovels and what you need to look for before buying one, please read on.
| PRODUCT NAME | WEIGHT (IN POUNDS) | SHOVEL LENGTH (IN INCHES) | BLADE MATERIAL | HANDLE MATERIAL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radius Garden Root Slayer Shovel(Editor's Choice) | 5 | 44.5 | Tempered Mid-Carbon Steel | Thermoplastic Elastomer | Check Price |
| Spear Head Spade Model SHFD3 | 3.55 | 40 | Manganese Steel | Fiberglass | Check Price |
| ROOT ASSASSIN Carbon Steel Shovel | 4 | 48 | Carbon Steel | Steel | Check Price |
| Radius Garden PRO Weeder | 4 | 42.5 | Stainless Steel | Thermoplastic Elastomer | Check Price |
| Lil' Digger 29" Heavy Duty Double Serrated Shovel | 2 | 29 | Heavy Steel | Fiberglass | Check Price |
| Seymour Super Shovel | 5 | 48 | Steel | Fiberglass | Check Price |
| Roamwild Multi-Digger Garden Spade | 4.5 | 40 | Steel | Reinforced Fibreglass | Check Price |
| Radius Garden PRO Edger | 3 | 38 | Stainless Steel | Thermoplastic Elastomer | Check Price |
| Lesche 1V_WWMFG-32-SER T- Handle Shovel | 3 | 31 | Stainless Steel with Brass Bristles | Heavy Duty Metal | Check Price |
| Radius Garden Root Slayer Trio | Root Slayer – 5 Root Slayer Edger – 4 Root Slayer Nomad – 2 |
Root Slayer – 44.5 Root Slayer Edger – 39 Root Slayer Nomad – 39 |
Tempered Mid-Carbon Steel | Thermoplastic Elastomer | Check Price |
1. Radius Garden Root Slayer Shovel – A Shovel Capable of Handling Different Types of Yard Work
Many people are willing to sacrifice versatility in exchange for effectiveness when it comes to shovels. You need the shovel primarily for moving soil in your yard and dislodging roots and if it can do those things well, then you’ll likely be happy with your purchase.
But wouldn’t it be nice if the shovel you did have could do more than just its expected functions? That’s exactly the type of tool that the Root Slayer Shovel from Radius Garden aims to be.
The design of this shovel is what enables it to be a more versatile tool in your yard. Some shovels are not designed to take on a lot of weight, but that’s not the case with the Root Slayer.
That added weight is a double-edged sword though. This is among the heavier root shovels you’ll find and it may be difficult to work with for certain people. Even if you have no trouble using this shovel at first, that may change as you spend more time working on your yard.
This is also a good tool to have when you have roots running all through your yard. The teeth are suitably sharp and they can cut through roots pretty well. You’ll have to put a little more elbow grease into your strokes if you want to get the shovel through thicker roots, but it will still get the job done.
- The distinctive design of the shovel blade makes it useful for a wider array of applications
- Teeth on the blades are sharp enough to cut through most roots
- Easy to grab onto because of O-shaped handle
- Shovel can be tough to work with at times because of its weight
2. Spear Head Spade Model SHFD3 – Steel Composition Allows for Easier Cutting
There have probably been times when you tried to get rid of roots and weeds in your yard by just hacking at them with your shovel. Let me guess, doing that probably didn’t produce the results you wanted either. Additional force is not the number one thing you need to more effectively cut roots. Instead, you will need a well-designed shovel blade that’s made from high-quality steel.
The Model SHFD3 from Spear Head Spade is a great example of how smart design and good materials can create a better tool.
The blade also does a decent enough job of burrowing into the soil. It helps that it’s nearly a foot-long. Unfortunately, the blade is not that helpful once it comes time for you to actually lift dirt from out the ground. There’s simply not a lot of space for the dirt to go on and so you will have to repeatedly dig into the ground if you want to carve out a decent amount of space.
I did also have some issues regarding the blade bending, but you can pop it back into place pretty easily.
Returning to something more positive, the fiberglass handle installed on this handle is highly durable. It’s not going to chip even if you leave this tool out in the yard for extended periods of time. Every time you grab hold of the handle, it will still feel nice and snug in your hands.
- Manganese steel blade is ideal for cutting tough roots
- The fiberglass handle is durable and comfortable
- Shove blade features a decent length
- It will be difficult to move plenty of dirt using this item
3. ROOT ASSASSIN RA-001 Shovel – Best Tool Made Out of Carbon Steel
The RA-001 is a versatile shovel that is designed and constructed to be the best no matter what digging task your garden requires. The company that made this tool claims that it can tackle any outdoor task within half the time it would take a traditional shove thanks to its innovative features. The handle is heavy-duty and totally made out of aluminum. It is also lightweight, even with a steel blade, it weighs only about 4 pounds. This Root Assassin shovel is designed to be durable while minimizing the flex you come across even in the toughest environments. This root slayer shovel reduces your need to bring other specialized tools along for your field project.
When users hold this root slayer shovel at the top as well as the middle, it is made to be very comfortable as you dig your garden. This product is very spectacular and it is very ideal for hacking away thicker roots. The shovel can also serve as a saw due to its multipurpose design to handle larger projects. The sides of the blade are designed to be a nifty saw with over 16 teeth making it easy to cut away pesky roots.
This design makes it cut through obstacles when you are digging. If this shovel ever breaks down, the company gives its users a 100% guarantee no matter what happens.
- It is lightweight in design.
- It can withstand thick and hard roots.
- It can serve as a saw and a shovel.
- You are 100% guaranteed for replacement.
- The handle can become uncomfortable after long use.
4. Radius Garden PRO Weeder – The Tool You’ll Want for Targeted Soil Excavation
Let’s say that you don’t need to do a ton of work in your yard, but that there are certain spots that you have to focus on, will you still find a root shovel useful? Well, that will depend on the type of root shovel you purchase. For instance, the PRO Weeder from Radius Garden is ideally suited for the purpose of targeted hole creation.
Technically speaking, this item is a stand-up weeder, but it functions similarly enough to a root shovel that you can regard it as that kind of garden tool.
This item also works exceptionally well for popping weeds out from the ground. You can use the blade to slide underneath the root and then force it up by using the tool like a kind of lever. The roots should emerge from the ground easily.
Now, if you have plenty of yard work ahead of you that involves moving mounds and mounds of soil, I believe that you’ll be better off using a different tool. The blade is simply not capable of picking up enough soil. If you decide to use it for that purpose, expect to spend a long time in your yard without getting the job completely done.
The PRO Weeder is a tool with limitations, but as long as you play to its strengths, it will serve you well.
- A narrow blade can be used to target specific spots in your yard
- Excels at slicing through roots
- O-handle provides users with a comfortable grip
- Blade is not designed for moving significant amounts of soil
5. Lil’ Digger 29″ Heavy Duty Double Serrated Shovel – Best D-Handle Shovel
Amongst all root slayer shovels which can be gotten in the market, this heavy-duty double-seated shovel from Lil’ Digger has got one of the coziest designs found on any root slayer shovel with a convenient D-handle grip. This root slayer product is an innovative multi-purpose shovel that can act as a hatchet, saw, or pry-bar, therefore, eliminating the need to use those types of tools. This product was tested in the lab and it has been proven to be much stronger than most of the root slayer tools it was being compared with. The blades of this product are reasonably long with spikes and it is sharp enough for cutting roots easily.
The entire shovel measures about 29” from the top of the handle to the tip of the blade. The blade measures about 8” long and the product just weigh under 3 pounds meaning that it is lightweight and compact. The blade of this root slayer shovel has a nice inverted V blade cutting tip which was manufactured and specifically designed as a root cutting rip saw teeth and hatchet. With it, you can cut through any root that comes through your way.
This shovel can be used by customers for a variety of jobs as well as projects. You can use it in your garden, lawn, or even patio if you prefer that way.
- It is very compact and lightweight.
- It has a long centerline which adds stability and rigidity to your tool.
- It can be used both domestically and professionally.
- The blade length is a bit short.
6. Seymour Super Shovel – A Heavy-Duty Tool That’s Built to Last in Your Yard
The Seymour Super Shovel is designed pretty conventionally for something designed to cut roots. It’s a typical round point shovel, but with jagged teeth on the end, that is designed to cut through any roots you may have in your yard.
When it comes to small and medium-sized roots, this shovel will work great. You can saw right through those roots using the sharp teeth and they will move right out of your way.
In exchange for the substandard cutting ability, you do get a shovel that can do plenty of work in your yard. If you need something to clear out a bunch of soil, then this shovel can easily handle that job. Feel free to use it for extended sessions because it’s not going to bend or break even if you use it continually throughout the day.
The fiberglass handle only works to make this shovel even more durable. There’s even a cushion included and that will help you remain comfortable even as you are using this shovel for the fifth consecutive hour.
If you don’t have an issue with large roots and weeds invading your yard, then this shovel will be an ideal addition to your collection of tools.
- Has no problem working its way through small and medium-sized roots
- A large shovel blade is useful for moving plenty of dirt around quickly
- Fiberglass handle does not place additional strain on your hands
- Teeth on the blades struggle when pitted against thicker roots and weeds
7. Roam wild Multi-Digger Garden Spade – Best with Arrowhead Design
The Roamwild Multi-digger is an exceptional garden spade that can act as both a root slayer shovel and a mini saw. This product is on the next level with the ultra-lightweight digging formation which gives users the ability to dig up to 80% easier. It is a shovel, a digging spade, and a root cutter all in one tool. Due to the ergonomic air-light handle design, this product is convenient during use. The design also allows users to translate power into the soil directly beneath the ground where it is important. It is made out of reinforced fiberglass and everything you need to penetrate your garden or yard without the disturbance of roots is in your hands. The arrow spade head design makes it possible for users to easily penetrate the ground. There is a root cutter incorporated at the side of the blade too.
The arrowhead-shaped blade has enough surface area and a serrated root cutting edge which allows users to dig through roots and sod like they are not there.
- It has two types of handles.
- It is compact in design.
- It is made out of fiberglass.
- It is a perfect 3-in-1 hybrid tool.
- It is a bit heavy.
- It can’t handle extremely hard soils.
8. Radius Garden 206 PRO Edger – Best Stainless Steel Edger
If you want your flower beds, patios, perennials and walks in your garden or your yard to have a clean and crisp edge, consider getting the 206 PRO root slayer shovel from Radius Garden. This product can act as a hand edger to achieve a clean project and users are satisfied when they use this product. The narrow but tapered blade if this shovel finds it very easy to enter the soil compared to a standard shovel. The company tested this product countless times with errors and mistakes till they got the perfect product for consumers to make use of. When you get a first glimpse at this root slayer shovel, you would get confused initially because this product does not in any way look like a garden tool or your typical shovel.
When it is being held, it conforms naturally into the shape of your hands making it possible for you to tightly grip and secure it with your two hands always. With this handle, users are bound to find strength, leverage, and stamina because of its ergonomic properties. When in use, the PRO Edger won’t bend or break easily, it requires no fuel or elbow grease and it makes no noise. With this tool, you can actually be faster giving off positive and better results compared to power edgers.
- The blades are made from stainless steel.
- It comes with an O-handle design.
- It is compact and lightweight.
- It is very comfortable even during heavy-duty use.
- Most users complained that the tool is not sharp.
9. Lesche 1V_WWMFG-32-SER T Metal Detecting Shovel – Tool You Would Need for Relic Hunting
You cannot list the best root slayer shovels without mentioning the 1V_WWMFG-32-SER from Lesche. Lesche came into the United States in 1952 and started his business, Walt’s Welding by the mid-’50s. Currently, this company is one of the best quality products you can find in the market. Not only is this shovel perfect for root slaying, but it can also be used for coin and jewelry hunting, relic hunting, or gold prospecting. This product is designed to last, there is a 5-year warranty against breakage under normal use in this device. The blades of this product are heat-treated to increase its durability as well as strength. The double serrated blade is 7.3 inches long and 4 inches wide which is perfect for going to places a normal shovel or spade cannot.
The handle on this root slayer product is T-shaped which makes the device so rugged and easy to use no matter the condition of the environment. The handle measures about 23.7 inches long which are convenient for long jobs. When users use this product from Lesche, it won’t break down easily or will it die in the coming years. This tool is ideal for digging or cutting roots underground during digging.
- It is made in the United States.
- It is made with aircraft-grade materials.
- It comes with a 5- year warranty.
- It can be used for both sawing and shoveling.
- It is a bit expensive.
10. Radius Garden Root Slayer Trio – Useful for Careful and Precise Landscaping
Creating your dream backyard landscape is a huge undertaking and you will need the right tools to pull that off.
By getting the Root Slayer Trio from Radius Garden, you’re getting a set of tools that can expertly handle a wide variety of tasks in your yard.
We already discussed the Root Slayer Shovel earlier. It’s a shovel that can be used for numerous applications and it also cuts through the majority of roots with no problem. The same issue with the weight is still present though.
The second tool included in this set is the Root Slayer Edger. It will come in very handy when you are trying to set those edges of your yard precisely. This is also not the typical type of edger. Because of the way its blade is designed, it is better suited for cutting through any roots that may be located at the edge of your yard. You’re not getting much else out of the edger beyond its primary function, however.
The last tool included in the Root Slayer Trio is the Root Slayer Nomad. It’s essentially a more portable of the Root Slayer Shovel. That’s a good thing because you no longer have to deal with the weight issue. On the other hand, the Nomad is not as good at cutting roots or moving soil.
- Root Slayer tools perform their intended functions very well
- It’s easier to take on yard work with these specialized tools
- Root Slayer’s tools come with the comfortable O-Handle
- Price tag attached to this tool set is on the high side
Buyer’s Guide
If you’re on the market for a root shovel, there are certain elements you have to look for if you want to be sure that the item you’re getting will be capable of handling all the yard work you need to be completed. Listed below are some of those elements.
TSawing Teeth – The small sawing teeth you’ll often find lining the sides of a root shovel’s blade are their distinguishing features. Not all sets of sawing teeth are created equal though.
From working with numerous root shovels, I’ve noticed that sawing teeth work better when they are smaller and more bunched together. The smaller teeth are great for cutting through all kinds of roots while the larger teeth will struggle against the thicker roots buried in your yard.
Handle Length – Most shovels with long handles tend to suit many garden tasks. They prevent you from bending often which in turn gives you leverage and protects your back from unnecessary pain. Products with shorter handles are most suitable for smaller or confined places. These types of handles are much convenient for root slayer products. You can find out if a product has a long or short handle because they always have some type of grip or a D-grip which is rather than a straight end at the end of the pole.
Blade Length – All you have to worry about when it comes to the length of the shovel is that it’s proportional to your height. When it comes to the length of the shovel blade, however, you have to be a bit more discerning.
The roots you will need to cut are buried deep beneath the topsoil, so you need something that can easily reach down there.
Don’t settle for a root shovel with a blade that is shorter than six inches. Any blade under that length will struggle to clear all of the roots in your yard.
Handle Material – When it comes to the handle material, you will want to look for something made out of fiberglass that also provides cushioning for your hands. The fiberglass is important because of its durability while the cushion is something you need to keep your hands comfortable.
Plastic handles are also kind to your hands but they are significantly less durable than fiberglass. Metal handles are highly durable, but they are not ideal to use during the summer and winter.
Maintaining your Root Slayer Shovel
Like most garden tools, there are actions you need to undergo to get the best out of your tool. The simplest step to take on this is to make use of the fact that you do not leave it outside for a long period of time. Below are some of the steps you can take to maintain and ensure your root slayer shovel is kept to its maximum peak.
When storing your root slayer shovel, never put the blade down because it will dull your tool much quicker. You should consider storing your shovel with the handle touching the ground.
Whenever you finish using your shovel, make sure that you wipe off any dirt which is lingering or caked up on your blades.
When in-store, give it a makeover by applying some rust preventative spray at least every now and then to keep your blade healthier and longer.
How to Sharpen your Root Slayer Shovel
If you are using a root slayer shovel in the dirt near the roots – and if you are reading this article, you are probably going to be using one very soon – then you may find out that your shovel needs to be sharpened occasionally. Don’t get confused and pay someone to do something you can fix yourself. Just relax, you can probably do this at home. Here are the necessary steps you need to take to sharpen your root slayer shovel:
Start off by wiping the blades of the root slayer shovel very clean using a wire brush.
Use a vice or a clamp to hold your shovel firmly in place with the blade of your root slayer shovel facing upwards.
Use the angle of your shovel as a guide and sharpen the inside of your product with an abrasive stone, a file or a handheld grinder.
If peradventure you can’t find the edge of your shovel because the blades are dull, the best option is to make use of a 45-degree angle.
When sharpening, once you see a shiny edge which is beveled appearing or you feel a slight burr on the backside of your shovel, you would know that you are just doing it right.
Use your hand and brush off the blur and give the blades of your root slayer shovel a little stroke. That’s it! You have just sharpened your shovel.
If you are making use of a stone or a file, make even passes forward along the full length and always sharpened away from the edge of the blades to keep your fingers safe. If you are using a handheld grinder, run it along the entire length of the blade you are sharpening but make sure that you don’t rest the grinder in one place.
Conclusion
The root shovel may still not be considered as an essential piece of yard equipment, but it should be. Once you are able to acquire a good one, it will make your life so much easier. Previously physically-taxing activities like cutting through roots and moving soil will be made significantly more manageable if you have a good root shovel.
Hopefully, the reviews and buyer’s guide above will help you finally find that root shovel that you have always needed.