Where To Buy A Good Shovel

hoosierguy

Sr. Member
Feb 5, 2013
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Laconia, IN
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â—Ź Minelab Manticore â—Ź Minelab CTX-3030 â—Ź Minelab Equinox 800 â—Ź Minelab Goldmaster 1000 â—Ź Garrett Apex
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It's kinda like you pay me now, or pay may later when it comes to a good digging tools. You can find tools for less, but they won't last and you'll have to eventually replace long before you would need to with one of the predator-like tools. The amount of leverage that's needed sometimes will really put the stress on a normal tool. There are lots of examples of cheaper digging tools on ebay. The more expensive digging tools also seem to be designed with the MDer in mind...they are shorter, and easier to carry, or easy to attach a carry sling to.

If you still don't want spend that kind of money, look for one piece construction, and/or a well-known brand name. Gerber makes a nice military style e-tool that runs around $40. (Gerber 30-000075 E-Tool Folding Spade with Serrated Blade - Amazon.com)
 

Potts

Sr. Member
Oct 13, 2010
386
124
U.P. Michigan
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I use a swiss army shovel...bought it about 10 years ago at a Fleet Farm in Wisc for about $10.00.....works for me...
 

Bum Luck

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May 24, 2008
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Wisconsin
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I dig all the time - legally, while at work.

For work, I prefer a shortened tree spade with a D handle I got at a resale shop for maybe $10. It's got a heavy blade and is maybe 5" wide and 10" long. Doesn't take out a big plug, much appreciated by lawn owners. Sharp on one side for chopping, and on the bottom of course for digging through roots. I have 2, and I'm keeping them both. Sort of like this, but a longer handle:
Ames_1566300_Kodiak_Cub_Round_Point_Shovel_Wood_Handle.jpg



I don't usually carry a shovel for MDing, except in wooded sites. But I like the German army shovel since I can keep it on my belt hiking in. It's no shoddy job either; it's made as well or better than the Russian or US one IMO. It's a good compromise for convenience. A D-handle would help.
wgshovel5.gif


Don't be afraid to buy quality. That's a good investment.
 

FLauthor

Hero Member
Aug 22, 2004
770
203
Minneola, FL
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American-made products
Made in USA, Made in America, US, American-Made
****************************
Transplanting Trowel American-Made by Bully Tools
Heavy duty lawn and garden tool with depth indicators.
True 14 gauge steel.
Blade: 3”x7”, tool length: 15.125”. $20.00
Transplanting Trowel American-Made by Bully Tools
******************************************
Garden Trowel Made in America by Bully Tools

Heavy duty lawn and garden tool.
True 14 gauge steel.
Blade: 3.75”x6”, tool length: 14”. $20.00
This American-made tool will last many years of real work.
Garden Trowel Made in America by Bully Tools
***************************************************
Trunk Shovel D-Grip Commercial Grade American-Made by Bully Tools
All Bully Tools shovels are closed back and have a sharpened edge for better digging.
Short D-grip handle made from steel.
Blade: 9.25”x12”, handle: 24.25”, tool length: 32.75”.
14 gauge steel.
Item: 92712
Made in USA
Trunk Shovel D-Grip Commerical Grade American-Made by Bully Tools

If you buy these, let others know how they compare to China made.
 

Produce Guy

Bronze Member
Dec 17, 2008
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austin,texas
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You could try Military Surplus web sites,but I would check out the Predator tools website,all made in America.
 

gsxraddict

Hero Member
Sep 21, 2005
629
413
Resaca, GA
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Amazon...

A WW2 or Vietnam era entrenching tool hold up pretty good, my last one did break on me in the field though, so I bought a glock shovel.
 

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