Abstract: A novel shovel combining a curved blade with a flat front edge beveled on the back side to improve stability and soil penetration and root-cutting ability. The flat front edge greatly reduces the tendency of the shovel to roll from side to side in the user's hands, thereby providing stability when digging into hard or packed soil. The beveled surface on the back side of the front edge increases the soil penetration ability and further enhances the shovel's ability to slice into hard or packed soils. Root-cutting ability is greatly improved by the combination of the flat and beveled front edge. As compared to prior art pointed shovels, the flat front edge greatly increases the likelihood of contacting a root squarely with a cutting edge.