One take a look at the Root Assassin shovel’s saw-toothed blade, and you understand this tool means business. I was skeptical. All my life I’ve gardened in thick clay soil, and my current garden is on a rocky ridge where I deal with both clay and stones. I questioned even this aggressive-looking shovel would be up to the difficult job.
The video on the company’s website reveals the shovel being utilized as a saw to cut through limbs as well as delving in the ground, cutting effortlessly through grass, and slicing through pesky roots with a single swipe. Is this truly a “Super Shovel,” coming to the rescue of garden enthusiasts who battle with roots and rocks and tough soil?
Specs and Features
16 double-edged sharp serrated teeth on each side of the blade
Commercial-grade carbon steel 14-gauge shaft and blade
Powder-coated
Forward turned-step for safe and secure foot placement
Offered in 2 styles: Original (48 ″ long with a D-grip deal with) and Long-Handled (58 ″ long with a straight deal with).
Weighs 4 pounds.
Pruning Branches.
First I attempted the Root Assassin as a saw to prune branches. While it was a little awkward to use a shovel to cut through wood, and it wasn’t as efficient as a bow saw, it did work. If you’re digging in the garden with your Root Assassin shovel and see a branch that requires cutting, you can deal with it right now, conserving yourself a hike to the tool shed or garage to get another tool.
Penetrating Turf.
It was surprising how quickly The Root Assassin cut through grass, slicing through the thick mass of roots like a hot knife through soft butter. Clearly, this is the tool you want if you’re planting in grass. The pointed pointer, developed to permeate through tough soil, enables you to cut the ideal size holes for planting bulbs, such as crocus or spring star flowers (Ipheon), in the lawn and digging larger holes for trees or shrubs is a breeze.
The pointed pointer and the small curve of the blade make the shovel inappropriate for edging, as it would be very challenging to cut a directly, sharp line.
On the other side, this is an excellent tool for cutting deep and narrow trenches. So, while the Root Assassin shovel can successfully multitask, it can not– and need to not be anticipated to– do whatever.
Digging and Cutting Through Roots.
The Root Assassin likewise lived up to its claim as a root eater. We took on a dead shrub that needed removing, so it didn’t take long to experience roots of significant girth. A little sawing accompanied by continued digging, and each root was easily severed.
The shovel worked like a beauty, making a potentially tough job much, a lot easier.
Initial vs Long-Handled Versions.
The original shovel stands 4 feet high, while the long-handled one measures 58 inches.
The narrow, commercial-grade 14-gauge steel pointed blade represents a minimum of 12″ of the tool’s length.
At 5′ 3″ high, I discovered getting my foot strongly on the step in a position where I could put my weight and strength onto the blade for digging was a bit like climbing up onto stilts– unless the shovel was partly buried in the hole, I could not reach the foot rest. My 6′ 4 ″ high partner had no issue whatsoever.
On the original Root Assassin, the handgrip is conveniently large, accommodating big or little hands, and is made of reinforced rubber that is both resilient and slip-proof. The longer version has a foam sheath covering roughly half of the shaft, providing extra comfort and a non-slip surface in the area where you’re probably to grip the shovel.
He was able to utilize the long shovel like a digging bar, thrusting the shovel vertically into the soil. With the cutting edge teeth and the weight (the shovel is solidly constructed), he was able to make excellent digging headway with less difficult work.
For me, the long-handled shovel was too long to use quickly, specifically using the foot rest to put my whole weight into the dig.
The makers claim the step is forward turned for secure foot placement, however I couldn’t see it. To my eye, it looked nearly completely parallel to the ground if the shovel is held straight upright.
Service warranty.
Root Assassin LLC stands by every item they offer. If for any reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, the company will change any broken totally free of charge for life.
The company can be reached online through their site at www.rootassassinshovel.com.
Suggestion.
The Root Assassin is a delighted exception. While I would not select up this tool just to cut off a branch, if it’s in my hand when a branch for cutting presents itself, it will do the task successfully.
The Root Assassin Shovel measures up to its name, and to the claims made by the maker. I extremely suggest it.
Where to Buy.
The Root Assassin shovel is available straight from the maker or through Amazon.
Keep in mind that there are now numerous “knockoffs” on the marketplace that are not offered by Root Assassin and do not bring the same service warranty. The shovel style is patented so the copycats are prohibited. Be sure you’re purchasing the real thing!
Root Assassin likewise makes a “mini” version of this serrated digging/cutting shovel (see our evaluation).