Have any of you ever seen one of these. I've seen two in my lifetime, both owned by octogenarians and now one is owned by me, a mere sexagenarian.
This floral/border spade was manufactured by True Temper. I have replace the handle the original handle was probably 44" long.
I have dug wild nyssa's out of clay shale soil with this tool and planted petunias with it holding it one hand like a trowel. I could make a living selling these door to door along with lanolin rich open cuff goat skin gloves that soften your hands while you work (used to be you get those gloves at a feed store, no more).
I call it the nine-ninety b/c you can use it if your 9 and still use when your 90.
You know how wet clay sticks to round point shovel when your try to dump it? Not so with the Nine-ninety because the bite you get weighs too much for it to stick when you dump it.
You can shovel a pile of topsoil fast and hard and long without tiring because you never get too much with it just a good healthy bite. I own a King of Spades nursery spade and it's a great tool, but if I could only have one I'd take the Nine-Ninety. The angle of the handle is so incredibly ergonomic. It's great for stripping sod.
I think with an "attachment" it could be a great snow shovel as well.
The taper is the key.
My children already argue over who gets this beauty come the day.
I would love to hear from anyone who knows about these or has seen one.
