King of Spades Shovel 40 in with 13 in Edge for Landscaping

The King of Spades 40 in shovel with the 13 in edge is the base model in the line: aircraft-quality steel tubing, a heat-treated blade, an all-tubular D-handle, and nothing else bolted on. At 6.1 lbs and 40 in overall, it is the version most people buy when they want the steel without paying for a foot pad or a cushioned grip. It digs compacted clay, rocky fill and root-laced ground that folds a hardware-store spade.

Using the King of Spades for metal detecting

This is a relic and cache shovel, not a coin-and-park tool. Worth being honest about which one you actually need before you spend the money.

The 13 in blade is straight and tapered rather than scooped, and that matters more for detecting than it sounds. A tapered edge slices a clean three-sided flap in turf instead of tearing it, so you can hinge the sod back, recover the target, fold the flap down and heel it flat. A site left looking untouched is the difference between keeping permission on a field and losing it.

The 40 in D-handle means you dig bent over or on one knee. For targets a foot down and deeper in hard ground, the 63 in long-handle version lets you stay upright and put your body weight behind the blade, which is the model most relic hunters settle on. If your sites are wooded and root-heavy, the straight tapered edge here is the wrong geometry: a serrated blade like the Ground Shark Relic Hunter saws through roots that this one has to chop.

For coin and jewelry targets a few inches down in a manicured park, do not bring a shovel at all. A hand digger or trowel does less damage and gets you back on the machine faster. Our metal detecting tips and FAQs page covers plug technique and site etiquette.

Where this model earns its place for detecting is the middle ground: permission fields, old homesteads and hard-pan clay where a trowel simply stops working, and you would rather carry one 40 in tool than a 65 in shovel plus a bag of diggers.

Landscaping, garden and contractor work

• Aircraft-quality steel tubing absorbs the shock of striking rocks and buried obstacles that snap lesser shovels.
• Heat-treated blade holds its shape when you pry against buried concrete or break compacted clay.
• 13 in tapered cutting edge resists dents and nicks, and is virtually self-sharpening in use as soil abrasion maintains the taper.
• Straight blade profile cuts a clean vertical line, which is what makes it useful for edging beds and borders as well as excavation.
• All-tubular D-handle spreads grip pressure across the palm instead of concentrating it, reducing the hot spots that wooden handles cause.
• Rust-resistant finish stays smooth through wet soil contact that corrodes bare steel.

Which 40 in model to choose

All four 40 in King of Spades models use the same 13 in tapered blade and the same steel. What changes is the handle and the foot pad.

The foot pad is fitted at the factory on the models that have it. It is not a part you can add to this shovel afterwards, so if you drive the blade with your boot all day, buy the pad version up front. Longer handles are available in the same line if you want to dig standing up.

Specifications

• Overall length: 40 in (102 cm)
• Edge length: 13 in (33 cm)
• Weight: 6.1 lbs (2.8 kg)
• Blade profile: Straight, long tapered cutting edge
• Material: Aircraft-quality steel tubing
• Handle: All-tubular D-handle
• Construction: Heat-treated
• Finish: Rust-resistant
• Foot pad: Not fitted on this model
• Country of manufacture: USA
• SKU: WWMFG-KS-S

Why buy from Serious Detecting

Serious Detecting is a family-owned, authorized Lesche dealer in Michigan, so every King of Spades shovel ships with the manufacturer's warranty behind it. We sell these tools to detectorists and landscapers both, which is why the section above tells you when a trowel or a longer handle is the better buy. Orders over $99 ship free to the lower 48, returns are open for 30 days, and we price match. Browse the rest of the Lesche range, or compare every model in shovels, diggers and picks.