Shovel
An instrument consisting of a flat or scooped blade and a handle; it is used for digging and throwing sand, earth, etc. Moulders' shovels are of two kinds--heavy and light, the former for digging, the latter being specially made to meet the requirements of stove-plate, bench, and other light-work moulding; but both classes of shovels should be made of the best cast steel, and well polished. The handsomer and better the tool, the greater will be the care exercised to preserve it, so that in the end the best is the cheapest. Besides this fine grade for moulders, there are plain black polished ones of a stronger make, adapted for rough use on the gangway and scrap-piles, which answer these purposes just as well as the best, and are much cheaper. Special shovels and scoops are made for coal; but for coke handling, especially round the cupola, the fork is to be always preferred. The square-bladed digging-tool is usually termed a spade. See COKE-FORK.