My experience with the Garrett Digger tool - Needed mods...

[Skippy SH13]

So... I have a Lesche digger tool (my favorite), and a Garrett Digger tool that came in a combo pack. Both my son and I agree the Lesche is superior in every way. Lighter, stronger, slides into the dirt easier and cuts like a champ.

The Garrett works, but the thickness makes cutting sod a bit harder (I think the angle of the bend in the blade also contributes to a bit of extra friction).

This last weekend, I came home with a bruised hand, because 1) I let my 11 year old son use the Lesche, which is easier for him, and 2) I used the palm of my right hand to help "push" the digger when sawing through turf. The weird little bent edge on the Garrett Digger just constantly jutted into my palm.

I couldn't stand it any longer and today I went to the garage and welded on a piece of scrap metal to help provide leverage (and a grip point). Works LIKE A CHAMP!

It ain't pretty (I'm not a welder or painter by trade, and only care if it's functional). but basically, I took the center flat metal piece of an old lawnmower blade holder, ground down the bumps, and then welded it to the handle of my digger tool. Following that, I black sprayed the whole thing with Rustoleum flat black paint, and then dried it with a hand heat gun. Followed that up with a latext coating (clear). The latex coating was from a really old can, and it came out in globs. It does the job, and will protect it plenty, but it ain't pretty!

The digger is SO much easier to hold and dig into the ground now! Highly recommend doing this if you find you need a little extra space to put your hand (or foot, if necessary).

As with most folks, I've also sharpened the cutting edges, too.

Cheers,

Skippy

 

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[Skippy SH13]

Should note also, for those that are finding this post thinking about which to get (Garrett digger or Lesche). The Garrett bent on the second time out. It wasn't hard to bend back, but that's also something to think about. I've not been able to bend the Lesche while prying dirt clods. And when you've a bent digger tool it just is WEIRD trying to make cuts. If I had it to do over again, I'd have bought the combo pack stuff separate and saved the money for another Lesche. The steel just is a higher quality, and the handle doesn't cut into my palm.

 

[BladeRunner2019]

Looks good.

I must be a lightweight though, because I have put most of my 180 pounds on my Garrett prying up frozen ground and it never bent.

 

[Digging Deeper]

I have both and choose the Lesche digger hands down to the Garrett. I have thought the Lesche was going to break (because I was abusing it ) but it is semi-indestructible. Just my two cents.

 

[Keppy]

You buy any detector maker's digging tool .. Garrett .. Minelab .. Kekkyco .. and on & on all you get is junk .. To get a good sturdy tool that would be the Lesche or the one A.M.Leonard sells..

 

[dirtscratcher]

I agree with Keppy, the mine lab and the Garrett bent right away get the lesche and avoid the hassle.

 

[Skippy SH13]

Looks good.

I must be a lightweight though, because I have put most of my 180 pounds on my Garrett prying up frozen ground and it never bent.

Must be, as my 110lb son was the one who bent it. he'd dug and was trying to pry up, and it bend at the handle part. I simply wedged it at my anvil in the garage and leaned on it a bit and it went back into shape. Was disappointing to have it bend.

For as heavy as the digger is (more so than the lesche), it certainly doesn't hold up as well, and is harder to use.

 

[Fletch88]

I actually use Treasure Wise T-12 more than the Lesche. It is easier to dig deeper holes with the T-12, but I guess my soil is easier to dig in. I actually liked the way the Garrett's tip removed more dirt than the Lesche and never bruised my hand or anything.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=281085759667

 

[G.A.P.metal]

I agree with Fletch88
and also use the Treasure Wise Diggers,and find them superior.
Gary

 

[Msbeepbeep]

When trying to pry up frozen ground last year I had to stand on the handle of my digging tools (orange handles) to pry it up, didn't break, and did the job.

 

[dirtscratcher]

I actually use Treasure Wise T-12 more than the Lesche. It is easier to dig deeper holes with the T-12, but I guess my soil is easier to dig in. I actually liked the way the Garrett's tip removed more dirt than the Lesche and never bruised my hand or anything.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=281085759667

Thanks a lot guys now I have to buy one.

 

[Skippy SH13]

Looks like a good digger... Hows it work wtih cutting sod. One of the things I love about the Lesche is the ability to saw a U shape. It looks like this is more for dirt digging...

I actually use Treasure Wise T-12 more than the Lesche. It is easier to dig deeper holes with the T-12, but I guess my soil is easier to dig in. I actually liked the way the Garrett's tip removed more dirt than the Lesche and never bruised my hand or anything.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=281085759667