Fiskars 60" Steel Posthole Digger (offset handles) Review (2026)
By Nate Sawyer, Editor · Updated July 2026
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- Fence posts
- Deep holes
- Tough soil
The heavy-duty pick for deep post holes in tough, compacted soil, with all-welded 14-gauge steel jaws and a welded pivot that has no bolts to work loose, plus offset handles that reach 12 inches deeper. Trade-offs from the all-steel build: it is heavier than fiberglass diggers, transmits more shock and cold, and costs more than basic wood-handle models.
Pros
- Welded steel pivot has no bolts to loosen, unlike riveted wood-handle diggers
- Offset handles reach up to 12 in deeper and protect knuckles from clashing
- All-steel jaws power through hard, compacted soil that flexes lesser diggers
Cons
- All-steel build is noticeably heavier than fiberglass-handled diggers
- Steel handles transmit more shock and cold to the hands
- Priced above basic wood-handle diggers
Specifications
| Type | Clamshell post-hole digger |
|---|---|
| Blade | Welded 14-gauge steel jaws, welded pivot joint |
| Handle | 16-gauge steel shafts, ~60 in, offset design |
| Grip | Two long straight steel handles |
| Best for | Extra-deep post holes in tough soil |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What do offset handles do on a post hole digger?
- Two things: they let you reach up to 12 in deeper before the handles clash, and they keep your knuckles from banging together at the bottom of a hole. On deep fence posts that is a real difference.
- Why a welded pivot instead of a bolted one?
- Because bolts loosen. A welded steel pivot has nothing to retighten, unlike riveted wood-handle diggers that develop play over a run of holes.
- What is the downside of all-steel construction?
- Weight and feel. It is noticeably heavier than a fiberglass-handled digger and the steel transmits more shock and cold into your hands. It also costs more than a basic wood-handle model.