Fiskars 9669

• While perhaps better known for their line of scissors, the Finland-based Fiskars Corporation also produces garden and yard tools. According to Mother Earth News, the Fiskars 9669 Digging Shovel is one of the best shovels in the world. The shovel has a steel blade and shaft, which culminates in an orange, D-shaped handle. In comparison to other shovel handles, the Fiskars handle is larger has a teardroplike design, making it more comfortable to hold. In addition, the shovel has an inch-wide step plate at the top of its blade, which makes it easy to apply pressure to the shovel with your foot when cutting through sod. This step plate, which also consists of steel, features a raised pattern -- or tread -- for preventing slippage.
  
  

Jackson J-250

• The Jackson J-250 Titanium Xtra Round Point Shovel has a wood shaft/handle and a 14-gauge titanium-steel alloy blade. The blade connects to the shaft via an 11-ich. titanium-steel socket. This socket is longer than the sockets on most standard shovels, providing the Jackson J-250 with increased durability. The top of the shovel's blade has a forward-turned design, creating a "Power Step" that you can use for applying pressure with your foot. As with the Fiskars shovel, the Jackson J-250 shovel has treads on its blade-step for increasing traction. According to Pro Tool Reviews, the shovel can pierce through some of the toughest vegetation, including St. Augustine grass, which has strong, interconnected fibers.
  
  

Razorback 45657/R2CB48S

• As Tibesti notes, the Razorback 45657/R2CB48S Point Shovel has a forward-turned step at the top of its blade, which can help you apply more power when cutting through sod. While the blade of the Razorback consists of industrial gauge steel, its wood shaft consists of northern white ash. Like the Jackson J-250, the shovel has an oversized, 11-inch socket for increasing durability.
  
  

Nupla 545-69-248

• The Nupla 545-69-248 Heavy Duty Round Point Shovel has a distinctive, all-fiberglass design, which means its blade and shaft are integrated and do not require sockets. In addition to increasing stability, the fiberglass eliminates the chance of the shaft splintering and will not conduct electricity if you happen to push the shovel's blade through an underground electrical cable. Also, the Nupla's larger-than-normal blade allows you to cut more turf with each thrust of the shovel.