Potential Tool Purchase

[bostonmike]

Thinking about buying this folding shovel for digging in the river beds. What do you all think? Wise purchase or no?

Amazon.com: Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade, Serrated Edge [30-000075]: Home Improvement

 

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[fowledup]

Honestly that price is highway robbery. Hit up the local Army surplus store and you should be able to get one for a quarter of the price. I personallly prefer the small garden shovels that don't fold. Moving parts have a bad habit of letting me down when I'm umpteen miles from nowhere.

 

[nh.nugget]

You can get those at like Wal-mart. I got one, don't use it too wimpy. I got two shovels I use one is a spade it's small looks like a kids shovel only about 30'' long great for getting in tight places. the other is a bigger spade long handle it has sides and a back welded onto it that's so you don't loose your dirt coming out of the water' I built mine but you can get them on-line.

 

[fowledup]

You can get those at like Wal-mart. I got one, don't use it too wimpy. I got two shovels I use one is a spade it's small looks like a kids shovel only about 30'' long great for getting in tight places. the other is a bigger spade long handle it has sides and a back welded onto it that's so you don't loose your dirt coming out of the water' I built mine but you can get them on-line.

Have the best of both worlds and box in one of those small garden shovels......Hmmmm, need to go play in the shop for a bit.

 

[goldenIrishman]

Folding shovels also have a habit of failing at the wrong time and trying to take a bite out of you while they do it. They're too short for comfortable working in most situations too. Save your back and knees and use a fixed long handle. added sides and back optional

 

[nh.nugget]

Have the best of both worlds and box in one of those small garden shovels......Hmmmm, need to go play in the shop for a bit.

When you box it in go around the top edge with some 3/4 or 1'' flat stock for a lip.

 

[Goldwasher]

25 Pounds

 

[Goldwasher]

And free hands to carry my old #2 and a bucket if needed.

 

[SchoolOfHardRocks]

I don't think that shovel would be too useful digging river gravels, you would likely lose 75% of each shovel full by the time you put the material in your bucket/ sluice.

I classic #2 has a larger surface area and a longer handle. Also doubles as a walking stick...Just my new guy opinion lol.

 

[nh.nugget]

It' all in how you use your tool LOL! seriously no it does work good especially in a current the box keeps you material in the shovel.

 

[Anduril]

I'm no fan of folding shovels.
Sure they're easy to carry, but very frustrating to use.
I predict you would get annoyed with one very quickly and be back right back in the shovel market.

There are several good YouTube videos on the subject, including (perhaps) this one:


There's another good video out there, but it must have fallen off my search list or I wasn't logged in when I watched it.
Just do a little searching and see some of those folding shovels in action.
Might change your opinion of them?

 

[Goldwasher]

lol... this thread just made me think about a short handle red fiberglass shovel I havn't seen around the yard lately..sears craftsman...Christmas gift card shovel. I do remember where it is btw...its not in the yard right now.

 

[RustyGold]

Too short and too bulky IMHO! I would go with the 31" Sampson over the folder!

 

[triple d]

I have a shovel. Like nh. nuggets picture of his modified shovel.When digging in the water. It catch"s the gold as good as a BGT sluice. Can"t beat either of them.

 

[63bkpkr]

bostonmike,
I have that shovel in its original form of a straight handle. I've used it for several years, it is one of the tools I would not leave home without. The version I have is strong, the new handle makes me think it is not worth it as that plastic will break. The price for the new unit is abusive!

Recently I saw another company put out something strong (can't think of their name), also collapses.

Either brand has a small, shallow shovel part so yes it will drop dirt Especially if you are digging underwater with it. As a surface scraping tool, 90 degree version, it works great. Shop around, I saw the new unit at a Bass Pro Shop in Houston TX, you might check on line to see what comes up when you enter shovels, I think it comes with a hatchet............................63bkpkr

 

[bostonmike]

So you guys think this is a better option? Razor-Back 25.75 in. Wood Handle Super Socket Digging Shovel-2594200 - The Home Depot

 

[nh.nugget]

YUP, works great! It's good for tight places a long handle spade is good also. And a crow bar for moving rocks. Are you going this weekend? The day's are getting numbered Let me know.

 

[Jimmydolittle]

I have a Razor Back #2 shovel, I bought it because it is American made.

 

[fowledup]

I have a Razor Back #2 shovel, I bought it because it is American made.

When were talkin about Made in USA tools its pronounced "Murican" with a brief snort of the nose, and slight puff up of the chest

 

[Jimmydolittle]

Sounds about right!

When were talkin about Made in USA tools its pronounced "Murican" with a brief snort of the nose, and slight puff up of the chest