SparkoA006 Std Coal Shovel 6in

Bought this shovel a couple of weeks ago, needing a replacement for the one which the scaffolders half-inched.I based my choice on the several outstanding reviews for this product.Unfortunately when the shovel arrived it was clear that either the reviewers were all bonkers, or the more likely scenario that the supplier had downgraded the product.It was of such poor quality, pressed from extremely thin steel, that I was easily able to flex it to and fro, and if I'd continued it would soon have snapped in half. It certainly was not of merchantable quality, and I doubt very much if it would have successfully picked up a single shovelful of coal.In forty years as a householder, and almost as many in engineering, it is quite the worst quality manufactured item I've encountered.So breathtakingly dodgy, in fact, that I was actually moved to leave a review.At the first attempt at a review, as soon as I assigned the product 1 star, I was prompted to contact the seller.'Is it really worth it?' I thought, anyway I did. The anonymous response from the seller invited me to submit a photograph of the offending item, which I did.On receipt of the photo they promptly informed me that they'd sent me the wrong item, and would be despatching the correct one shortly. 'Great', I thought. 'I'm really looking forward to this new shovel brightening up my dull little life'.Alas my hopes were dashed. They sent me another exactly the same. Gutted.Just for the record, though, if anyone else has designs on acquiring the coal shovel of their dreams, just go on a well-known auction site and buy yourself one made by Bulldog Tools, of Wigan. Eight quid including postage, and completely proper. A shovel to be proud of, and pass on to your coal miner son.

BEWARE - Item received is different to the item shown on the website photo.The item received is such poor quality, and the metal so thin and flimsy that you actually feel the metal handle bending when you just grip the handle with your hand.I can only assume that the website listing is for an earlier item that was being sold and it has not been "substituted" for a much poorer quality item.Really really disappointing. I'm hoping to return it for a refund, otherwise it's going straight in the dust bin as it's useless and a waste of time and money ordering.

Well, I can see why some reviewers describe this shovel as thin and not fit for purpose. It is certainly not the most sturdy coal shovel I've ever met. But then it's not that bad either. I have tried flexing it a bit, and it does, flex I mean. This is not something I've ever struck before, usually these things are quite rigid. But then I didn't buy it to flex it, and as far as heaving a shovel full of coal goes I think it will do the job. I tested it by using it to dig a bit in the garden, putting about the same amount of pressure on it that I imagine a shovel full of coal would- I don't currently have any coal to heave- and it stood the test well. The 'seam' up the back of the handle is a bit disconcerting. It meets, until one squeezes the handle to get a good grip on it, then it overlaps. One reviewer said that they got a nasty nip on the finger from this- I can see why. These days so many products (and services) are degraded- that's capitalism for you- and when we buy a cheap article people say "You get what you pay for". But I can't help thinking that once upon a time even a cheap version of something would have been more serviceable, more fit for purpose. One shouldn't have to pay a lot more money just to get something to fulfil the function that the cheap version doesn't.

Well, I broke my golden rule and ordered this without looking at the other 1 star reviews - big mistake. They said 'don't buy, item not as pictured, made from paper thin metal, not fit for purpose'.They were all right. Mine arrived and it was not what was advertised. It was complete rubbish, I could make a stronger one myself from tin foil. It's hard to imagine anyone bothering to make such a thing. Pointless, pointless, pointless.The other reviews must have received something else.Come on Amazon, how can you allow mis-selling on your site? If its on your site, it's endorsed by you in my opinion. This lowers your credibility.

This item is not fit for purpose, the metal is too thin - think origami from a beans can. I bought 2 shovels and on first use it bent.

Paid £5.99 in November 2019.Seems okay for a cheap shovel but the criticisms of other reviewers are more than justified. It's quite a thin piece of stamped steel that in the week I've been using it has already started to dint from being shoved into the coal bucket. I don't really expect this to last long and I'll look elsewhere for a replacement but for £5.99 it does its job.

For the price It does the job. Have had more solid/sturdy types, but those cost more money. The last one of these that I had lasted around 3 years. It’s not a thick gauge metal, but it doesn’t bend when shovelling the coal, so to me it’s fit for purpose.

I use this shovel to clean up inside my aviary, I use the leading edge as a scraper to get into the corners. I knocked off a star because the end of the handle where the metal is pressed together is quite pointy and can dig into your hands if you’re not careful.