Drain Spade Shovels for Contractors and Digging Professionals

A drain spade is one of the most versatile tools a contractor can carry - and the Metal Concepts version is built to the standard the trades actually need. With a narrow, tapered blade designed to cut clean into hard soil, it handles everything from drainage work and irrigation trenching to tree planting and utility repairs. Landscaping crews use it for edging and tight-spot digging. Irrigation crews use it for fast, clean pipe installs. Pool contractors use it where machine access ends. Same Sharpshooter® quality, profile that fits drain work perfectly.

Same lineup, different ideal use cases. Here's what works best for drain and drainage work:

  • Standard Sharpshooter®: Best for most drainage trenching. Long blade gets down to pipe depth fast, and the weight does most of the work in clay or compacted ground.
  • D-Handle Sharpshooter®: Good for drainage work near foundations or in tight spots where a long handle creates leverage problems. The D-grip gives you a controlled pull.
  • Shorty Sharpshooter®: Ideal for surface drainage work, bed edging, and shallow ditching where full depth isn't needed. Lighter and easier to use all day on repetitive cuts.
  • Dig Bar Sharpshooter®: Use this first if you're hitting rocky or heavily compacted soil before your trench even starts. The hex bar breaks through so the blade doesn't have to.

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Sharpshooter Shovel | Metal Concepts

Sharpshooter Shovel | Metal Concepts

Regular price $139.99
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Sharpshooter Shovel: The Ultimate Digging Tool for Tough Jobs Built to handle the toughest digging...
Shorty Sharpshooter Shovel | Metal Concepts

Shorty Sharpshooter Shovel | Metal Concepts

Regular price $119.99
Sale price $119.99 Regular price
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  The "Shorty" Sharpshooter Shovel: Compact Power for Everyday Digging Meet the blue "Shorty" Sharpshooter...
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Frequently Asked Questions

+What is a drain spade used for?

A drain spade is a narrow, pointed digging tool used for trenching, drainage work, irrigation installs, and precision soil cutting. Its slim blade profile makes it ideal for digging cleanly in tight areas where a wider shovel would disturb too much surrounding soil.

+What's the difference between a drain spade and a sharpshooter shovel?

The terms are closely related and often interchangeable in the trades. A drain spade typically features a slightly curved or rounded tip suited for drainage work, while a sharpshooter shovel has a sharper, more tapered point for aggressive soil penetration. Metal Concepts' Sharpshooter® incorporates both profiles - precision tip with a narrow drain spade-style blade.

+Is a drain spade good for rocky or clay-heavy soil?

Yes. Metal Concepts shovels are specifically designed for tough soil conditions including compacted clay, rocky ground, and dry desert soil. The blade is heat-treated to hold an edge and the handle is rated for high-impact use without cracking.

+Can landscapers and irrigation crews use the same drain spade?

Absolutely. Metal Concepts drain spades are used daily by both landscaping crews and irrigation contractors. The narrow blade profile works equally well for irrigation line trenching, edging beds, and planting trees.

+What handle options does the Metal Concepts drain spade come in?

Four configurations: standard long-handle (78"), D-Handle for leverage in tight spots, Shorty for compact work, and the Dig Bar model with a 12" hex point bar for breaking hardpan. All built from all-American steel, made in Phoenix, Arizona.

+Does Metal Concepts offer free shipping on drain spades?

Yes - free shipping and free returns on all orders over $75. Orders of 2 or more shovels also qualify for 15% off with promo code METALCONCEPTS.

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Our Promise

American-made tools, guaranteed to last.

What's Covered

Free replacement for defects with proof of purchase.

What's Not Covered

Wear, missing parts, misuse, or modifications.

Use With Care

Built for digging — not for unintended jobs.

What Our Customers Are Saying

Turns Digging from Chore to Enjoyable

This shovel’s extended handle, weight and sharpened straight blade have changed my attitude towards digging. What was once a slow tiresome chore is now efficient and enjoyable. Coupled with a lightweight spade for dirt removal, I can quickly blast a large hole or trench into almost any terrain or take out a stubborn stump or post. Must-have tool for DIYers and tradesmen.(Amazon.com)

Amazon Customer

The Best Shovels for Every Job, Built to Last

I've been a General Contractor for most of my adult life. I have dug holes in every soil type. The Metal Concepts shovels are the best hand digging shovels on the market. All their products are of high quality and will last. If you need a custom product, they have a team of people that can help. Thank you, Metal Concepts, for making our jobs a little easier.(WLF Development LLC)

Woody Farnsworth

The Ultimate Tool for Tough Excavations and Precision Work

For really hard conditions, we have the utmost need for the best manual digging tool in existence, to be used along with a shovel. I reserve that accolade of the best manual digging tool for a perfectly engineered and constructed piece of iron ingenuity called a Sharpshooter (pictured). We use it every day; it’s fantastic for everything involving excavations, prying and leveraging.(John & Bob’s Blog)

John Valentino

Putting the Sharpshooter Shovel to the Test

Watch as one of our team members takes on a massive tree with tough, tangled roots using the Metal Concepts Sharpshooter Shovel. See firsthand how precision design and durable construction make the toughest jobs easier.