Digging Tools

FreeMindStuck

Full Member
Jan 29, 2013
113
36
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Yep you have to avoid the chinese made #@$*. I recommend lesche. They make great hand spades. And their Sampson line of shovels are quality and light weight.
 

Dtektor

Jr. Member
Jan 3, 2012
87
17
Eastern NC
Detector(s) used
Tesoro Vaquero w/ 9x8 & 5.75 coils
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Yep you have to avoid the chinese made #@$*. I recommend lesche. They make great hand spades. And their Sampson line of shovels are quality and light weight.

Ditto what FreeMindStuck said. Go to Welcome to Predator Tools Online! and your worries are over when it comes to digging tools. I have a Lesche standard digger (George Lesche is owner of Predator Tools) and it is a beast! I find that with a small trenching shovel that I had moded with a fixed handle (but soon to be replaced by something from Predator) and my Lesche digger, recovery is swift and easy in most cases. Just pop the plug with the shovel and explore and fine tune with the Lesche. Made my MD'ing much more enjoyable. Now all I need to add to my arsenal is a soup ladle for when we've had just a bit too much rain!! Lol!
 

Sandscoopdan

Sr. Member
May 19, 2012
327
133
Cypress,Tx
Detector(s) used
Minelab Excalibur II
Minelab CTX 3030
Minelab Equinox 800
Extreme scoop
Boat: 20ft Four Winns w/92 V8 5.0L Cobra Mustang engine
Primary Interest:
Beach & Shallow Water Hunting
Ditto... Lesche. I use the lesche hand digger and I just bought the serrated T handle shovel from Metal detecting stuff for bout $67. I cuts through hard soil very easy. The blade is curved and it is sharpened at bottom.
 

OP
OP
lawdog601

lawdog601

Jr. Member
Jul 14, 2012
49
3
I think the t handle "bulb" spade will be my next purchase. This cheap crap nowadays just will not hold up to the rigors of digging yazoo clay or heavily compacted soils.
 

chinchilla

Full Member
Dec 18, 2009
182
24
Detector(s) used
Tesoro, White's
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
a pick, a steel garden trowel, or a lesche are the tools most people use
 

OP
OP
lawdog601

lawdog601

Jr. Member
Jul 14, 2012
49
3
a pick, a steel garden trowel, or a lesche are the tools most people use

Yes, I have been using those as well..for several years. However, for really remote spots, I've had to hike in with my backpack, and of course everything I needed would have to be folded or at least, somewhat light. I had been using some military type folding shovels, but they aren't worth crap anymore. I've seen some ideas from everyone and have my eyes set on some new tools that will fit my needs. Thanks for the info...
 

Dwight S

Hero Member
Apr 26, 2010
558
70
NC
Detector(s) used
Garrett AT-Pro & White's TDI & Tesoro Compass uMax
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
Check Predator Tools... George Lesche (originator of the Lesche digger that everyone loves) is the founder and owner of Predator Tools. You want the quality and reputation that George Lesche built into his original tools, then get a Predator Tool. He ships his Model 85 to NATO forces overseas, it's strong enough for the men and women that protect us, it's strong enough for me. I purchased a Model 31 Raptor from him last week, to say that tool is a heavyweight monster, is an understatement.
 

chinchilla

Full Member
Dec 18, 2009
182
24
Detector(s) used
Tesoro, White's
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Yes, I have been using those as well..for several years. However, for really remote spots, I've had to hike in with my backpack, and of course everything I needed would have to be folded or at least, somewhat light. I had been using some military type folding shovels, but they aren't worth crap anymore. I've seen some ideas from everyone and have my eyes set on some new tools that will fit my needs. Thanks for the info...

I understand what you mean, I also carry my equipment backpacked. The best way I found to overcome the weight issue was by having a steel garden trowel and a small pick for harder soils at hand. I tried a WWII type entrenching shovel but the thing was too heavy and took too much space in my backpack
 

Quoddy

Greenie
Mar 22, 2013
14
3
New York/Vermont Border
Detector(s) used
XP Deus
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
In my very brief MD exposure I've discovered just how rocky (mainly on the small to medium size) the ground is in my area. I have the Predator 85E, but will probably need to escalate my digging arsenal very soon. Looking at the Predator tools I wonder which is going to be best for this type of ground. I really want the Raven, but it is probably going to rate lower in this area than something like the Mauler, Samson, or Little Eagle with their more pointed tips. Any suggestions?
 

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Dwight S

Hero Member
Apr 26, 2010
558
70
NC
Detector(s) used
Garrett AT-Pro & White's TDI & Tesoro Compass uMax
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
In my very brief MD exposure I've discovered just how rocky (mainly on the small to medium size) the ground is in my area. I have the Lesche Hand Digger, but will probably need to escalate my digging arsenal very soon. Looking at the Predator tools I wonder which is going to be best for this type of ground. I really want the Raven, but it is probably going to rate lower in this area than something like the Mauler, Samson, or Little Eagle with their more pointed tips. Any suggestions?

Call or email George at Predator Tools, tell him what your soil conditions are, he'll recommend a shovel that will work well for you.
 

Sandscoopdan

Sr. Member
May 19, 2012
327
133
Cypress,Tx
Detector(s) used
Minelab Excalibur II
Minelab CTX 3030
Minelab Equinox 800
Extreme scoop
Boat: 20ft Four Winns w/92 V8 5.0L Cobra Mustang engine
Primary Interest:
Beach & Shallow Water Hunting
I use the lesche Sampson Thandle and Lesche 40in ground shark. Here is a pic of the T handle and sheath I got from a Tnet member. Got the ground shark from metal detecting stuff dot com.


image-934278299.jpg
 

Quoddy

Greenie
Mar 22, 2013
14
3
New York/Vermont Border
Detector(s) used
XP Deus
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
In my very brief MD exposure I've discovered just how rocky (mainly on the small to medium size) the ground is in my area. I have the Predator 85E, but will probably need to escalate my digging arsenal very soon. Looking at the Predator tools I wonder which is going to be best for this type of ground. I really want the Raven, but it is probably going to rate lower in this area than something like the Mauler, Samson, or Little Eagle with their more pointed tips. Any suggestions?

I managed to score a "lone" Raven from Predator today. I understand that the production run on them is nearly complete... so they'll be available very soon for everyone. Hope I picked the best one for me... it's sure the one, visually, that I wanted. I can still foresee another type, possibly the Little Eagle, in my future. Quick update... I ordered the Little Eagle, too.
 

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hoosierguy

Sr. Member
Feb 5, 2013
253
119
Laconia, IN
Detector(s) used
â—Ź Minelab Manticore â—Ź Minelab CTX-3030 â—Ź Minelab Equinox 800 â—Ź Minelab Goldmaster 1000 â—Ź Garrett Apex
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I use the lesche Sampson Thandle and Lesche 40in ground shark. Here is a pic of the T handle and sheath I got from a Tnet member. Got the ground shark from metal detecting stuff dot com.

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=767386"/>

That t-handle digger is cool!
 

Sandscoopdan

Sr. Member
May 19, 2012
327
133
Cypress,Tx
Detector(s) used
Minelab Excalibur II
Minelab CTX 3030
Minelab Equinox 800
Extreme scoop
Boat: 20ft Four Winns w/92 V8 5.0L Cobra Mustang engine
Primary Interest:
Beach & Shallow Water Hunting
Hi,

I got the T handle attached to the lesche digger from a guy that goes by the name of Buzz wilson. I got the sheath from him too. I paid $40-60 for the Thandle and lesche. I have been trying to find the email with the pricing he sent me. Just can't find it right now. Do a search for Buzz Wilson Thandle and/ or sheath and you can find his photo album. I had him serrate both sides of the digger. It may be best to leave one side serrated as it can weaken it. It has really held up though. I just used it today to cut all the tree roots around the broken in ground sprinkler heads in my yard. That Thandle made the job easy!
 

FLauthor

Hero Member
Aug 22, 2004
770
203
Minneola, FL
Detector(s) used
Excalibur 800; Fisher F5; White Beachmaster VLF
Primary Interest:
Beach & Shallow Water Hunting
Tired of Made in China tools that are made cheaply. Get the best: Made in America. I don't know if these hand shovels will hold up to the abuse that a TH'er gives them but 14 gauge metal sounds strong. 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

Hope this helps. Let us know if anyone tries these products. I still have my 30 year old Gator Digger and its still going strong too.
 

swingbot

Sr. Member
Jan 27, 2012
258
138
central Ca.
Detector(s) used
X-Terra 70, AT PRO
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
WOW!!! like that sheath and digger bro.. Thanks for posting bud.

~~~BUZZ~~~
 

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