So we can use the pickaxe and woodcutter's axe but not the shovel? What gives?

Am I the only one who has seen a shovel laying around and wanted to use it to teach someone a lesson (brawl/warning/assassination) or even bury a late follower?

Have not tried yet, but can you dig up graves?

Do you need a shovel for farming activities? Have you checked with the stables, they always have something that needs to be shoveled.

You use a spade when you smelt ore.

"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: those with enchanted swords, and those who dig. You dig." - Blondie Dovahkiin (or Dragonborn with no name)

I really want to use a pitchfork on that loudmouth bimbo at Warmaiden's.

I think you would need the shovel for getting the treasure found using a treasure map.

I want to grind flour. But no, I keep turning the mill around and around and around ... nothing.

maybe try the horse pasture?

Exactly. So we should be able to use it as a weapon like with the other tools. Come to think of it, why can't we use the embalming tools? Too much useless stuff that we can pick up but not do anything with in this game.

YES!!! I tried this the first day I got Skyrim! I was like "Why Bethesda, why?!"