Hi Hatpin, I have never been able to stand and dig because of my back(surgery), so always have to be on my knees. I have been using the same shovel for over 40 years and it works for me. It started out as a broken, wooden handled sharpshooter that I sawed off below the brake. Also sawed (rounded) corner tops of blade. I "duct" taped a piece of foam over the end to soften for handeling,sharpened the end and down both edges, and what roots it won't cut through I go under. It is light enough to be used as a machette for cutting a path. I holed the handle and put through a rope loop for slinging it over my shoulder. All the years of sharpening and it now has a 13" handle,11 1/4" blade,tapered from 5 1/4" top to 4" wide at bottom. Long as I keep it sharp it gets the job done for me.and I could probably give a grizzle bear a good round with it! LOL, Well, maybe not a grizzle bear, but you get the idea. HH, Charlie