Badeel (Shovel)

A badeel or shovel is a hand tool consisting of a long handle (shaft) and a broad flat or curved surface (metal or wood) that is held, used to dig, or turned to move materials such as earth, sand, gravel, soil and small stones. It is among the oldest tools used in agriculture, construction and domestic work.

The design of a shovel depends on its intended task. Those for digging earth have a sharp edge that pierces the ground, while those for moving materials have a broad flat surface that carries a larger load. The shaft may be long and straight or short with a grip formed like a 'D' or 'T' at the end.

Parts of the tool

A shovel typically has three parts. The first is the blade, the working surface; usually made of metal or unpolished iron, though wood or tin was used historically. The second is the shaft, made of wood, metal or fibre. The third is the handle or grip where the shaft ends. At the junction of blade and shaft is a collar or metal ring that strengthens the connection.

Types

There are many types classified by function. A digging shovel has a sharp edge that breaks hard ground. A sand or gravel shovel has a large flat surface. There are also snow shovels used in cold climates and specialized shovels for industrial use. The narrow-bladed shovel for deep digging is sometimes confused with other digging tools such as the yaanbo (a tool for loosening soil).

Uses

Farmers use shovels to dig holes for planting trees, carry fertiliser and dig irrigation channels. In construction, shovels move rubble and clear sand and gravel. In households they clean ash and waste. Large workplaces and mechanised diggers have largely replaced hand labour, but the hand shovel remains essential for small tasks in confined spaces.