A better shovel: Can you dig it?

The basic shovel has, for the most part, remained unchanged for decades. Sure, some manufacturers have tinkered with the handle and added rust-resistant coatings, but there haven't been any changes that you'd consider revolutionary.

Well, I just discovered a really cool shovel  from Canada that may not be revolutionary, but it's certainly a much-improved version of any shovel that I've used.

The One-Shot Special Shovel is similar to other commercial-grade shovels: it has a heavy-duty, one-piece steel blade fitted to a super-strong fiberglass handle. But look closely at the blade and you'll see why this model stands apart from any standard shovel.

This shovel features steel "wings" that protrude straight up from each side of the blade. These wings have two primary functions. First, you can carry much more dirt with the One-Shot because the wings hold the dirt in place and prevent it from spilling off the sides of the blade.

As a result, you'll work faster with fewer lifts; some estimates claim 30 to 40 percent fewer shovel lifts than with a standard shovel. Of course, each load will weigh more, but you'll still move more dirt more quickly.

The wings also act as cutting guides, allowing you to dig trenches and holes with clean, sharp, and perfectly vertical sides.

There are two versions of the One-Shot Special Shovel available from Garrett Wade: 46-inch-long D-handle, and 60-inch straight handle. Each model sells for about $45.