Bayonet shovel

Content:

Characteristics of a garden bayonet shovel
Types of bayonet shovels and features of their operation
Rating of the best models
How to choose a bayonet shovel
Care and storage

A bayonet shovel is the most popular tool in the country. It is he who allows you to solve the most global problems of planting, harvesting, and is also widely used in construction and household work. But the shovels differ in their purpose and tasks. They can have various shapes and sizes of the working metal part. Thus, finding a good shovel for a specific purpose is not an easy task.

Characteristics of a garden bayonet shovel

The characteristics and conditions of use of bayonet shovels primarily depend on the material from which they are made.

The main material for making shovels is steel. High carbon tool steel is excellent for garden tools in terms of both wear resistance and toughness. As a rule, such shovels work for a very long time and can be used in very extreme conditions. The width of the steel shovel can be varied, everything will depend only on the goals that the consumer needs to decide.
The next material from which a shovel bayonet can be made is titanium. Titanium tools are not inferior to steel ones in strength properties and wear resistance, but they are much lighter. It can also be operated under very harsh conditions without worrying about breakage. Perhaps the only and very serious disadvantage of the titanium bayonet is its high cost.
Aluminum for certain types of shovels is also quite good for making. Such shovel assemblies are lightweight, which allows them to be very efficiently maneuvered for a long time without fatigue. A serious drawback of aluminum shovels is their low strength and wear resistance. This makes the aluminum tool suitable for very light work, such as loading / unloading feed mixtures, sawdust, light aggregates, etc.
Bayonet shovel

It is customary to use wood as cuttings for bayonet shovels. It is cheap, strong enough, lightweight, that is, it fits perfectly as a material for a handle. But today, more and more often you can find a steel or aluminum handle on a bayonet garden tool. The use of metals as a tool handle is due to the fact that a metal handle can withstand higher loads compared to wood and, therefore, is more durable.

Important! Many car owners prefer to take bayonet shovels with a telescopic handle with them. It does not take up much space in the trunk, however, if necessary, its importance is very difficult to underestimate.

In shape, the cuttings can be straight and curved. The most common option is a straight stalk. However, curved, from the point of view of operation, is more profitable, since the load on the user's hands is less.

The standard width of the bayonet shovel is from 230 to 280 mm and the length is from 300 to 320 mm. Anything less than these sizes refers to a garden or sapper tool. Larger shovels are very heavy, and this, in turn, is unlikely to speed up work.

Types of bayonet shovels and features of their operation

Shovel in the car

The classic version of the bayonet shovel is the LKO shovel (pointed shovel). This type of tool has a rounded blade and the standard geometries indicated above. A straight handle with a blunt end is traditionally used as a handle.With such a shovel, you can easily dig trenches or dig the earth.

A classic shovel with a straight handle and an additional handle at the end of the handle. Structurally, the tool is no different from the previous version, since only a plastic handle is mounted at the end of its handle, which allows you to efficiently and conveniently maneuver when digging trenches. However, this design is already very convenient for ordinary soil digging. In addition, a fire-fighting bayonet shovel is a classic option, which may have only slight differences from the household type in the size and shape of the blade.
Bayonet shovel
A classic shovel with a shortened handle and a plastic handle at the end. This option is made specifically for working in confined conditions, that is, for digging any narrow trenches or holes. It is also great for carrying in the trunk of a car, as the short handle of the tool allows it to be stored in the trunk.
Bayonet with a curved shank under the handle. This is actually a versatile option that combines high penetration efficiency, since the sharp-angle bayonet allows you to easily dig into hard and loose materials, but at the same time the grip of this material will be much higher than that of a conventional bayonet shovel. This is achieved by deepening the main body of the bayonet. Thus, this version of the tool resembles a cross between a bayonet and a shovel. This solution in the device of shovels came from North America, therefore, the nickname "American shovel" stuck to it.
Bayonet with a rectangular blade. This type differs from the previous ones only in that the edge of the blade is almost straight, and the bayonet itself is rectangular. It is convenient and effective to dig soft rock with such a shovel. A rectangular bayonet of a shovel copes with dense soil or clay rather hard due to the large area of simultaneous contact.

Note! There are also shovels of increased strength and rigidity. They have additional stiffening ribs near the glass, in which the handle is fixed. The reinforced version of the tool is useful for dense and stony soil.

Rating of the best models

Soviet shovel

There is a rating of the most reliable and already proven bayonet shovels. It was compiled based on the manufacturer's reputation and user reviews.

The first place is deservedly taken by the tool of the Finnish manufacturer Fiskars. In particular, the Fiskars Solid shovel today has a lot of positive feedback from users. It is a shortened model that fits perfectly into the trunk of a car, as it is only 84 cm long. However, despite its modest size, it copes very effectively with all types of soil. Fiskars is made of durable high carbon steel and powder coated. The handle is made of plastic, pleasant to the touch, which is as strong as steel. At the end of the handle there is a handle that increases the ergonomics of the tool. In addition, the shovel has an excellent curvature of the handle, making it easier to work with it. Thus, the shovel made in Finland comes first.
The second place is undeniably taken by the instrument of the Gardena company. Her shovel Terraline could be in the first place, but due to its high cost it is located here. The distinctive features of this model include a very sharp bayonet made of steel with a corrosion-resistant coating. The Garden shovel has wear-resistant foot pressure pads that prevent the foot from slipping. The handle is made of plastic, at the end of which there is a removable ergonomic handle. The color of the instrument also leaves only positive emotions.
Gardena Terraline Pointed Bayonet Shovel with T-Handle
Truper ranks last among the winners. The Trooper shovel consists of three materials at once: high-carbon steel, wood and plastic. The handle is coated to prevent slipping of the hands. The curvature of the shovel contributes to comfortable working.
In fourth place is a shovel of very high quality from the Kuzbass company. The creation of a domestic manufacturer is not expensive. Literally for a penny, the user gets an all-metal tool that will definitely not break. The blade is located at a slight angle relative to the handle, which makes it easier to work. The Kuzbass shovel on the blade has teeth that allow you to effectively cut tree roots. It is also important that the manufacturer gives a 3-year warranty for the product and refers to GOST.
The second domestic producer, SibrTech, ranks fifth. The SibrTech shovel is made of high-quality materials. It has a steel handle that is equipped with a handle for ease of use. The handle has an anti-slip coating. There is also a bend in the handle and a ledge under the leg. The combination of price and quality of this tool is not very bad, however, there are many negative reviews on the Internet about the quality of the steel of the shovel bayonet.
The very convenient and mobile shovel Palisad conquered everyone with its reliability, versatility and small dimensions. It is ideal for travelers and motorists. The Palisade shovel will fit into the trunk without any problems. The only drawback of the product is its somewhat overpriced.
Zubr's shovels are in a rather shaky place (they may not have made it into the rating at all). Most of the reviews about this tool are positive, but there are also negative ones, for example, many note the heavy weight that the purchased shovel requires sharpening, and with all this, it is not quite a budget option. The Zubr shovel has high strength and hardness, which allows it to dig most types of soil. In addition, there have been cases when, when working with hard rock, the bayonet of the shovel broke. But as a garden tool, this shovel can be used as long as you like and without complaints.
Shovel Bison

How to choose a bayonet shovel

The choice of tool depends on the type of activity being performed. If necessary, the usual digging of the soil, which is needed, for example, a summer cottage, the version of the classic shovel will be enough. For such needs, it makes sense to take a more reliable and expensive tool, so that the next purchase is not coming very soon, for example, you can buy shovels from Fiskars or Gardena that are excellent in combination with price and quality.

Multifunctional shovel

Continuous work with hard rocks requires the appropriate tool. In this regard, attention should be paid to reinforced versions of shovels, the strength characteristics of which significantly exceed the classical ones. To extract large amounts of soil in one go, look at the American bayonet shovel.

Note! For field conditions or constant transportation in the trunk of a car, a lightweight bayonet shovel or with a telescopic handle would be an advantageous option. The dimensions of these shovels are very small, so they can fit both in a car and in a backpack.