The importance of good shaft in gardening tool

The reason the shaft is straight is simple: Bends or curves create weak or stress points. Do check that the tool you’re thinking of buying has a nice, straight handle. Material is equally important. A “solid hardwood handle,” although desirable, is also rather vague. You want a strong, solid, splinterresistant wood; ash is considered the best, with hickory in second place. Maple is okay, too, though it’s heavier and can break in unpredictable ways.

Painted shafts? No doubt they’re attractive in their jaunty color and smooth texture, but beware: A coat of paint may be hiding weaknesses or flaws, such as knots or grafted pieces of wood. Better to go with a plain, unadorned model so you can see what you’re getting (and paint it yourself at home if you’d like).
Metal (including steel) and fiberglass handles are also available. Though they can be quite strong and weather-tough, their drawback is that when they bend or break, the tool is finished. And either of these materials may transport uncomfortable or numbing vibrations into your hands and arms. Also, metal tools can be darn cold during the winter (and they conduct electricity if you happen to electrical live wires — yikes!).