Kerbl Bavarian Sand Shovel, Forged with Ridge, Bottom Rib and Handle Holder
Kerbl Snow Shovel Grain Shovel Plastic with Aluminium Edge, No Handle
Kerbl Hatchet Handle Ash Wood, Cow Foot Shape, Durable Replacement Handle
Kerbl Grain Shovel without Handle, Aluminium with Reinforced Edge
Kerbl Mistboy Replacement Shovel, Black, 90 cm, More Volume, Stackable
Kerbl Universal Shovel Aluminium without Handle, Hard-Anodised, 50 x 39 cm
Shovels: The Right Blade Shape for Your Material
Between sand, grain, snow and muck there are worlds of difference, and no shovel does all of it equally well. That is why several blade shapes sit side by side here, from the forged Bavarian sand shovel and the Frankfurt shovel through to the light plastic stable shovel. Then there are the handles, because with many models you buy blade and handle separately and put together the tool that suits your work.
Aluminium, steel or plastic
Aluminium is the first choice for everything loose and light, so grain, shavings, snow and feed. It is much lighter than steel and does not rust, but it needs a galvanised or hard anodised wear edge, otherwise the bottom rim frays away on concrete. The professional sizes such as size 9 hold correspondingly more, which saves walking when the quantities are large. Forged steel is the choice for sand, gravel and heavy material, and the Bavarian sand shovel with a turned up step and the Frankfurt shovel are the classic shapes for it. Plastic is light and quiet, ideal for the stable and for anything that is not sharp edged.
Handle, grip and ergonomics
The grip has a lot to do with how your back gets through the day. A D grip gives more control when lifting and is the more comfortable answer in the stable, a long straight handle is better when you reach out wide or dig deep. Handles are available here on their own in wood and aluminium, also as replacements for blades you already have, along with ash hatchet handles in the classic cow foot shape. For children there are scaled down versions that fit from about five years and are not toy quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which shovel for grain?
An aluminium shovel with a big blade and a wear edge. It is light enough for many repetitions and takes a proper load in one go.
Why does the wear edge matter so much?
It absorbs the abrasion on the floor. Without it the blade grinds itself off at an angle and is unusable after one season.
Can I buy handles separately?
Yes, wooden and aluminium handles are sold on their own. Check the diameter and whether your blade needs a taper.
Aluminium Shovels, Sand Shovels and Stable Shovels
Which shovel is right is decided by the material. You take aluminium for everything loose and light, so grain, shavings, snow and feed. It is much lighter than steel, does not rust and comes in professional sizes such as size 9, which saves walking when the quantities are large. Do look for a galvanised or hard anodised wear edge, otherwise the bottom rim frays away on concrete inside a single season. For sand, gravel and heavy material, forged steel is the more durable choice, and the Bavarian sand shovel with a turned up step and the Frankfurt shovel are the classic shapes for the job. Plastic is light and quiet and therefore the easy answer for the stable. On grips the rule is simple: a D grip gives more control when lifting, a long straight handle is better when you reach out wide. Handles in wood and aluminium are sold here on their own.