Radius Garden 22011 Root Slayer Shovel (serrated) Review (2026)
By Nate Sawyer, Editor · Updated July 2026
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- Cutting roots
- Planting
- Digging holes
A specialist digging shovel for rooty, rocky soil where a plain round point stalls. The serrated blade and pointed tip cut roots instead of bouncing off them, which is worth the premium if you dig around established plantings.
Pros
- Serrated edges plus double-pointed tip slice roots up to ~1.25 in in one stroke
- Replaces a shovel, saw, hatchet and pry bar when digging near shrubs and trees
- Comfortable O-grip and 3.5 in foot steps give real leverage in tough ground
Cons
- Roughly double the price of a plain round-point shovel
- 13-gauge (2.5 mm) blade is thinner than a heavy contractor shovel for pure prying
- Serrated edges need occasional touch-up to keep cutting roots cleanly
Specifications
| Type | Root-cutting digging shovel |
|---|---|
| Blade | Tempered mid-carbon steel, 2.5 mm, serrated V-edges, ~13 in |
| Handle | Poly-encased carbon steel shaft, ~44.5 in overall |
| Grip | O-shaped thermoplastic grip |
| Best for | Digging through rooty, rocky soil |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How thick a root will the Root Slayer cut?
- Up to about 1.25 in in a single stroke, using serrated V-edges and a double-pointed tip. That is the whole reason for the tool — digging near shrubs and trees normally means stopping to fetch a saw.
- Does it replace other tools?
- In rooty ground it stands in for a shovel, saw, hatchet and pry bar, which is a real saving in trips back to the shed. It is not a heavy contractor shovel though — the 2.5 mm blade is thinner for pure prying.
- Do the serrations need maintenance?
- Yes, occasional touch-up to keep cutting roots cleanly. A dull serrated edge tears rather than slices, which loses the advantage you paid roughly double a plain round-point shovel for.