Ruff partner, always reflecting when holding spade finally (5)
I believe the answer is:
reeve
'ruff partner' is the definition.
'reeve' can be an answer for 'ruff' (I have seen 'Female ruff' mean 'reeve' so perhaps 'ruff' could also mean 'reeve'). I'm unsure of the 'partner' bit.
'always reflecting when holding spade finally' is the wordplay.
'always' becomes 'ever' (synonyms).
'reflecting' is a reversal indicator.
'when holding' indicates putting letters inside.
'finally' suggests the final letters.
The final letter of 'spade' is 'e'.
'ever' backwards is 'reve'.
'reve' placed around 'e' is 'REEVE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for reeve that I've seen before include "Old chief magistrate" , "US actor" , "Chief magistrate of a district" , "Old official in Bruree, venerated" , "Old judge" .)