King of Spades Model 38 Balling Spade

This is a great quality tool if you are digging up tough stuff like roots and rocks. The blade is very thick, and decently sharp when you get it. handle is equally as tough.- The serrated edge is good for scoring root balls when planting new plants to break up the root balls so plants do not become rootbound.- The quality of the welds is great (not chinese junk). The design of the tool is quite nice as well. When digging up roots and rocks, the size is great, since it's a bit of a shorter handle. Good for maneuvering in tighter places. Not only that, I have no problem standing / jumping on the handle to pry loose rocks or stubborn roots. I weight about 250, and no problem. This shovel takes some serious abuse without any problems. I've broken two shovels this year working in the yard, and this will NOT be one of them!- Works great for chopping roots up to probably 1.5" - nice!Lastly - before the purchase of this bad boy, I spent something like 35$ on the top of the line trenching type of shovel (made by Ames) from HD. This was worthless, as when even putting part of my weight on the handle to do some prying (or even just a lot of force from my hands) - the blade started to bend severely. I had to take it easy on that shovel before this one arrived. The model 38 FAR FAR surpasses anything you can purchase at your local big box stores. This is the real deal if you are seriously going to be doing some tough digging and chopping. Sure, it costs more, but you get what you pay for! Made in the USA

I'm using the spade with a pry bar to rip out some sapling roots. Blade edge is sharpened and the spade can be used as a small ax to cut roots to 1”. Spade blade is heavy which makes all the difference when attacking roots. The 'King of Spades Model 38 Balling Spade' is a very useful tool.

The Model 38 Balling Spade is a quality tool. If you're used to the Chineese junk stuff you'll probably be surprised at what a really well made tool is like. For instance: the inside of the D-ring handle tube is finished with no sharp edges, the welds are hand made and of excellent quality (TIG or GMAW), not globbed on amaturish attempts at stick welding performed by a 10-year old. Cost? Yup, it costs more than the "imported" junk but I am sure this tool will still be on the job a hundred years from now - not in a landfull somewhere.

Bought this as my lifetime spade (but, then, I'm 75, so that may not mean much.)For you young whippersnappers out there, buy this or ask for it as a birthday or Christmas gift (you can only have so many ties, and this spade will remain in fashion).Wear leather or rubber-coated gloves if you are digging in unfamiliar soil.

Did not like it at first. After using it I realized how versatile this design actually is. Nice weight to the spade that I used to push garbage further down into my garbage can in order to make more room. I was able to break down boxes and stuff them in there at well. Would definitely recommend to others.

I am a landscaper and abuse spades by using them a levers while digging out shrubs and trees. So I searched for the strongest one I could find and this one seemed to match my needs.The Good:It is plenty strongThe bad:I does not penetrate deep into the ground. With one or two stomps I can sink the entire blade of most spades completely into the ground. A root that most spades would cut stops this one. Even without roots it just does not penetrate well.In the end I am happy with the quality of construction but maybe I just bought the wrong model for what I wanted to use it for.

Where have you been all my life, King of Spades. If anyone has tried to divide and move ornamental grass, you know it's hell on Earth. King of Spades Balling Spade made easy work cutting into the thick web of roots. I can't wait to dig up more stuff!

Best shovel I have ever owned. Not pretty, not flashy. Very well made. Cuts thru the toughest of soils. Highly recommend