Fiskars Steel D-Handle Garden Spade (396670) Review (2026)
By Nate Sawyer, Editor · Updated July 2026
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- Edging
- Cutting sod
- Transplanting
A spade is a cutting and edging tool, not a digging-hole tool. This Fiskars flat-blade D-handle model is the go-to for crisp bed edges, sod removal and root slicing where a round-point shovel just tears.
Pros
- Flat sharpened blade cuts clean vertical edges and slices sod better than any shovel
- Shorter 46 in D-handle gives precise two-handed control for close bed work
- Welded one-piece steel eliminates the wood-handle break point under prying loads
Cons
- Flat blade is poor at scooping and lifting loose material out of a hole
- Short D-handle forces more bending than a long-handle tool over big areas
- Steel shaft is heavier and colder in hand than a wood-handled spade
Specifications
| Type | Flat garden spade |
|---|---|
| Blade | Welded 14-gauge hardened, sharpened steel, flat face |
| Handle | 18-gauge steel shaft, 46 in overall |
| Grip | Large D-grip (two-handed control) |
| Best for | Edging beds, slicing sod, clean straight cuts |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a garden spade best at?
- Cutting. The flat, sharpened blade slices clean vertical edges and cuts sod better than any shovel, which is why it is the edging tool rather than the digging one.
- Why a D-handle instead of a long straight one?
- Two-handed control at close range. The 46 in D-grip gives precision for bed work, at the cost of more bending than a long-handle tool over a large area.
- Can you scoop with a spade?
- Poorly. The flat blade is bad at lifting loose material out of a hole — that is a shovel's job. Owning both is the normal answer for anyone who both digs and edges.