What is a rabbit shovel or poacher shovel?

Statement
	The rabbit shovel is ideal for digging small, deep, precise holes, especially in tight spaces such as narrow vegetable garden trenches or fence post holes. Other uses include planting seedlings of trees, perennials, and shrubs without disturbing existing plants.
Blade
	The long blade tapers to a point and is designed to dig through hard, heavy ground with ease, even through rubble and thin asphalt. Its slim shape means less soil will be excavated, making digging more accurate. However, it is not suitable for long-term shoveling.
	Look for blades with rounded corners on the cutting edge to reduce the risk of damaging pipes and cables. Some blades also have a tread on the top to provide better support when digging.
	Length Blade length varies considerably depending on the rabbit shovel, ranging from 250 mm (10 inches) to 400 mm (16 inches). Be careful when planting small perennials such as peonies or roses with a stem longer than 350 mm (14 inches), as the extra length can damage delicate roots and bulbs. The width of the blade at its cutting edge is typically around 120 mm (5 inches).
	The strongest heads (blade and socket) are forged from a single piece of steel, meaning that the shaft-to- socket connection is either a solid socket or, more rarely, a shackle connection. Cheaper open socket blades tend to break easily with constant use.
	However, on a rabbit shovel with a strapped nest, the shaft is held in place by two straps. Strapped shovels tend to be the most expensive, but perform better than solid head shovels. For more information about socket connections, see our section: How is the blade attached to the shaft?
Shaft
	The steel shovel should have high quality welds (metal joints) that should not have any open spots for water to enter. This will reduce the risk of internal rust and damage. There should be no torn seams: the seams should look flawless and as smooth as possible.
	A rabbit shovel usually has a long handle, sometimes without a handle, making it ideal for digging deep holes or trenches. The extra length gives a wider arm span for balance and control. Please read: What do we mean by leverage? to get more information. Shaft length can be anything from a standard length of 700 mm (28 inches) up to 1.8 m (72 inches).
	Use an insulated shaft when working near cables or power lines. For more information see our section: Insulated shovels