Trowel vs. Spade — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 3, 2023
A trowel is a small hand tool for planting, digging small holes, and smoothing, while a spade is a larger long-handled tool for digging and moving soil.
Difference Between Trowel and Spade
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A trowel is a small, handheld tool with a pointed, scoop-shaped metal blade that is used in gardening and masonry. Its size and shape make it ideal for tasks like planting, weeding, or transferring small amounts of soil. In comparison, a spade is a larger tool with a long handle and a broad, flat blade, which is mainly used for digging, cutting through roots, and turning soil in gardening and construction work. While both are used to manipulate soil, their size and specific design dictate their respective functions.
The design of a trowel includes a handle that is easy to grip and a blade that is versatile for various tasks in tight or small spaces. This design is in contrast to a spade, which typically has a long handle for leverage and a larger blade that allows the user to move more soil with less effort. Trowels are commonly used in tasks requiring precision, while spades are chosen for their efficiency in heavier soil movement and area coverage.
In masonry, a trowel is used to apply, spread, and shape mortar or concrete, making it a tool for precision and finishing work. It contrasts with a spade, which has little to no use in masonry but is essential in landscaping for creating clean edges, cutting sod, and preparing large areas for planting or construction. The distinction in their application highlights the specialization of each tool within different trades.
Ergonomically, trowels are designed to be used with one hand, allowing for intricate movements and reducing hand strain during repetitive actions like potting plants or spreading mortar. Spades, with their longer handles, are used with both hands and require more full-body motion, transferring the effort from the hands to the larger muscle groups of the body, which is useful for digging holes or trenches.
Although both trowels and spades can be made from various materials, including steel, plastic, or wood, the construction of each is tailored to its intended use. Trowels often have a stainless steel blade for durability and a comfortable handle, while spades may have a tougher carbon steel blade for slicing into the ground and a sturdy handle that withstands the force of digging.
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Comparison Chart
Size
Small
Larger
Handle Length
Short, for one-handed use
Long, for leverage and two-handed use
Blade Shape
Pointed and scoop-shaped
Flat and straight-edged
Primary Use
Planting, transferring soil, masonry
Digging, cutting through soil, edging
Suitable Work Environment
Tight spaces, small gardens, finishing work in masonry
Large areas, heavy soil work, landscaping
Compare with Definitions
Trowel
A mason’s tool for spreading mortar.
The bricklayer skillfully applied mortar with a trowel.
Spade
A garden implement for transplanting larger plants.
They transplanted the shrub using a sharp spade.
Trowel
A gardening implement for digging small holes.
With a trowel in hand, he set out to transplant the seedlings.
Spade
A tool for cutting into the ground and moving dirt.
With a sturdy spade, she dug a hole for the new tree.
Trowel
A small scoop-shaped implement used in various trades.
She scooped potting soil with a trowel to fill the flowerpot.
Spade
A versatile digging tool with a flat head, used in gardening.
The gardener sliced through the turf with his spade.
Trowel
A trowel is a small hand tool used for digging, applying, smoothing, or moving small amounts of viscous or particulate material. Common varieties include the masonry trowel, garden trowel, and float trowel.
Spade
A spade is a tool primarily for digging, comprising a blade – typically stunted and less curved than that of a shovel – and a long handle. Early spades were made of riven wood or of animal bones (often shoulder blades).
Trowel
A flat-bladed hand tool for leveling, spreading, or shaping substances such as concrete or mortar.
Spade
A sturdy digging tool having a thick handle and a heavy, flat blade that can be pressed into the ground with the foot.
Trowel
A small implement with a pointed, scoop-shaped blade used for digging, as in setting plants.
Spade
Any of various similar digging or cutting tools.
Trowel
To spread, smooth, form, or scoop with a trowel.
Spade
A black, leaf-shaped figure on certain playing cards.
Trowel
A mason’s tool, used in spreading and dressing mortar, and breaking bricks to shape them.
Spade
A playing card with this figure.
Trowel
A gardener’s tool, shaped like a scoop, used in taking up plants, stirring soil etc.
I need to dig a hole for these begonias; would you pass me that trowel?
Spade
Also spades (used with a sing. or pl. verb) The suit of cards represented by this figure.
Trowel
A tool used for smoothing a mold.
Spade
Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a black person.
Trowel
(transitive) To apply (a substance) with a trowel.
He troweled the coarse mix with a twist, leaving a pattern of arcs.
Spade
To dig or cut with a spade.
Trowel
(transitive) To pass over with a trowel.
Spade
A garden tool with a handle and a flat blade for digging. Not to be confused with a shovel which is used for moving earth or other materials.
Trowel
To apply something heavily or unsubtly.
Spade
A playing card marked with the symbol ♠.
I've got only one spade in my hand.
Trowel
A mason's tool, used in spreading and dressing mortar, and breaking bricks to shape them.
Spade
A black person.
Trowel
A gardener's tool, somewhat like a scoop, used in taking up plants, stirring the earth, etc.
Spade
A cutting instrument used in flensing a whale.
Trowel
A tool used for smoothing a mold.
Spade
A hart or stag three years old.
Trowel
A small hand tool with a handle and flat metal blade; used for scooping or spreading plaster or similar materials
Spade
A castrated man or animal.
Trowel
Use a trowel on; for light garden work or plaster work
Spade
To turn over soil with a spade to loosen the ground for planting.
Trowel
A small hand tool with a flat-pointed blade for gardening.
She used a trowel to plant the tulip bulbs.
Spade
A hart or stag three years old.
Trowel
A hand tool for smoothing surfaces.
He smoothed the plaster on the wall with a trowel.
Spade
A castrated man or beast.
Spade
An implement for digging or cutting the ground, consisting usually of an oblong and nearly rectangular blade of iron, with a handle like that of a shovel.
Spade
One of that suit of cards each of which bears one or more figures resembling a spade.
"Let spades be trumps!" she said.
Spade
A cutting instrument used in flensing a whale.
Spade
To dig with a spade; to pare off the sward of, as land, with a spade.
Spade
A playing card in the major suit of spades
Spade
A sturdy hand shovel that can be pushed into the earth with the foot
Spade
(ethnic slur) offensive name for a Black person;
Only a Black can call another Black a nigga
Spade
Dig (up) with a spade;
I spade compost into the flower beds
Spade
A long-handled digging tool with a broad blade.
He used a spade to turn over the soil in his garden.
Spade
An implement for earthmoving, typically with a wooden handle.
He shoveled the compost into the wheelbarrow with a spade.
Common Curiosities
What materials are trowels made from?
Trowels are typically made from stainless steel, plastic, or wood.
Can you use a trowel for digging?
Yes, a trowel can dig small holes or trenches.
How do you care for a spade?
Clean it after use, sharpen the blade periodically, and store it dry.
Is a spade suitable for children to use?
Due to its size, a smaller hand spade might be more appropriate for children.
What is a trowel used for?
A trowel is used for planting, weeding, and applying mortar.
How do you hold a trowel?
A trowel is held in one hand, with a grip similar to a handshake.
Can a spade be used for delicate garden work?
It's not ideal; a trowel is better for delicate or precision garden work.
Is a trowel suitable for heavy digging?
No, a spade is better for heavy digging due to its larger size and leverage.
Why is the spade's blade flat?
The flat blade is for cutting into soil and lifting it, which is efficient for digging.
Are there different types of spades?
Yes, there are garden spades, border spades, and more, each for different tasks.
Can a trowel replace a spade?
No, trowels and spades serve different purposes and are used for different tasks due to their size and design differences.
What's the main use of a spade?
A spade is mainly used for digging, edging, and turning soil.
Are trowels expensive?
Trowels are generally affordable, with prices varying by material and brand.
Do spades come with different handle lengths?
Yes, there are short-handled spades for close work and long-handled spades for general tasks.
Can trowels be used in construction?
Yes, trowels are used in masonry and plastering for spreading and smoothing.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
