Digging Tools What Do you use and Like

[Gare]

I just purchased these digging tools.


The one on the right is a Raptor model 31 I have used one like it for 4 or 5 years. It is so easy to cut a plug and fill it back in with hardly being able to see where it was cut. It is a little harder to push it in the ground because of my age and Arithitis So i decided to get one with a T handle . I am sure it will be easier to hand push in the ground. While i was looking at the Little Mac (Red ) one i had to buy a back up to my other raptor. The curved blade sure makes it easier to dig a lot deeper !!!
I also keep my digging tools very sharp. Makes it buch easier to dig in hardned ground and cutting roots.

WHat tools do you all use amd Like ?

 

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[ticndig]

I have used a WW-2 entrenching tool for over 30 yrs. it's marked 1942. the blade is worn down some but it still gets the job done.
I don't hunt lawns so no need for me to cut a clean plug .
the tool can be used like a shovel or a pick. I prefer the pick as it rides hung over shoulder while detecting.

 

[dts52]

I have a Hori knife, great for places where I need to minimize surface disturbance likeparks and playgrounds, but it has trouble with heavier roots in the forest setting. I like the short T-handle.Thanks for posting.
HH
dts

 

[Bodkin]

I have them all (or so it seems). Little shovels, big shovels, hand tools and trowels, military folding trench shovels, scoops, knives with and without serrated edge... Saw Aquachigger on YouTube using a longer handled trench shovel with about a 5 inch wide blade. Got one of those (actually have two now), shortened the handle about 8 inches and I don't use anything else now. Everyone has their preferences and this is just mine. Took some time to get to this point though. Nothing really felt comfortable with handling a variety of situations without having to carry multiple tools into the field. It's gotten to the point where I carry as little as possible with me regarding all tools and pouches. After a while you get an idea what your area throws at you and you get to shed weight (equipment).

 

[Got-Good-Tones]

I more or less like the "Garrett Edge Digger" & My special "Non-Metallic Digging Tool" I designed... Also working on a "GoFundMe" campaign to buy the equipment and bulk stock so I can start selling these...if interested in getting involved with the GoFundMe campaign...shoot me a PM and I'll send you the link...

Got-Good-Tones

 

[Bum Luck]

I do a lot of digging in all types of soil.

This one is my favorite, the 14" Wilcox 202S. It can easily be Googled up. $16.90 from Wilcox, but it's on Amazon as well as better MD shops:

Sorry about the size of this; I can't seem to get it right.

This is made out of heavy stainless steel in Coralville, Iowa, USA. The design looks deceptively simple, but it is elegantly well-engineered to not bend. Being straight, it transmits effort down, unlike an offset trowel. I have never bent it in the years I've had it and I've pried rocks with it. They make other varieties, but this one is my favorite for MDing. Rave testimonials; read 'em. I like the electrician's. It is nearly indestructible and has a lifetime guarantee, but I doubt you'd ever need that. I've run over mine with the pickup, but it would survive a tractor.


The "trowel design" tack welded to a flimsy handle is so obviously bad, it shouldn't bear mentioning, except they continue to make and sell them.


I have a Garrett "Edge Digger", but the flaw is the dropped blade, just begging to bend. If put in a back pocket, it also sticks out and snags on brush. It's now on the garage sale pile.


For heavy duty work, I like the German entrenching shovel 1959 - 1970's. This is about as well designed an E-tool as it gets; tough, aggressive, has a pick, folds into a 90 or a straight, and carries flat on your belt. The NATO style, with the folding handle may be lighter, but I don't think have the clout this one does for heavier work. It is also a formidable weapon.

 

[Gare]

Bum Luck your size was perfect thanks for posting . There area lot of different type diggers out there and was just wondering if maybe someone had one that was better

 

[Gare]

This is the Modification i did to the shovel so i could attach it ti anything even a pants pocket



It really works fantastic and no need for any speical holder

 

[Bum Luck]

Bum Luck your size was perfect thanks for posting . There area lot of different type diggers out there and was just wondering if maybe someone had one that was better

Well, thanks. For some reason it didn't look right until tonight. I still can't figure out where in the heck the 2 thumbnails were; couldn't get rid of them.

The Wilcox embodies what I like about this country; this is all the steel stamping company makes, and they do it well. You could grind teeth into one side, but although I can do that easily, I've never felt the need. I sometimes wish I could hammer on the end, but then it wouldn't feel as good when I dig with it.

I do sharpen the bottom edge a bit, but not a lot, otherwise it would go through my pockets.

I just wanted to save you guys some money and grief with the wrong ones, like I did long ago.

 

[Number9]

I make all my digging tools to match my needs and they must be light weight and strong.
All digging tools are titanium...

One example is my hand digger...

 

[UncleVinnys]

I like the standard Lesche tool best. It's tough and rugged.

But California is a relatively young state and most of the coins are less than 2-inches deep,
so sometimes a simple weeding tool works best, or even a flat-head screwdriver.

 

[ticndig]

I make all my digging tools to match my needs and they must be light weight and strong.
All digging tools are titanium...

One example is my hand digger...

View attachment 1781880

View attachment 1781881

I like your craftsmanship ,the knife has smooth lines and a very clean look to it . the sheath designed to allow soil to fall free is a great feature.

 

[civil_war22]

I do a lot of digging in all types of soil.

This one is my favorite, the 14" Wilcox 202S. It can easily be Googled up. $16.90 from Wilcox, but it's on Amazon as well as better MD shops:

View attachment 1779863
Sorry about the size of this; I can't seem to get it right.

This is made out of heavy stainless steel in Coralville, Iowa, USA. The design looks deceptively simple, but it is elegantly well-engineered to not bend. Being straight, it transmits effort down, unlike an offset trowel. I have never bent it in the years I've had it and I've pried rocks with it. They make other varieties, but this one is my favorite for MDing. Rave testimonials; read 'em. I like the electrician's. It is nearly indestructible and has a lifetime guarantee, but I doubt you'd ever need that. I've run over mine with the pickup, but it would survive a tractor.


The "trowel design" tack welded to a flimsy handle is so obviously bad, it shouldn't bear mentioning, except they continue to make and sell them.


I have a Garrett "Edge Digger", but the flaw is the dropped blade, just begging to bend. If put in a back pocket, it also sticks out and snags on brush. It's now on the garage sale pile.


For heavy duty work, I like the German entrenching shovel 1959 - 1970's. This is about as well designed an E-tool as it gets; tough, aggressive, has a pick, folds into a 90 or a straight, and carries flat on your belt. The NATO style, with the folding handle may be lighter, but I don't think have the clout this one does for heavier work. It is also a formidable weapon.
View attachment 1779868

I’ve had two of them red shovels. They’ve been out for years. I’ve still got one, dad swore by them. I now use a shovel I built out of a Stanley D handle round blade, and made it into what I wanted. It cuts deep plugs like no ones business, and I cut through a 4 inch root with it yesterday from a cedar tree. Granted I had to hack it a few times to cut it, it still went through it. It also is perfect in rocky soil too because the blade isn’t too wide, and it’s not super narrow either. I’ve owned them all, from Lesche, to pretty much any T handled or D handled detecting shovel, and this one beats them all

 

[Jason in Enid]

I do a lot of digging in all types of soil.

This one is my favorite, the 14" Wilcox 202S. It can easily be Googled up. $16.90 from Wilcox, but it's on Amazon as well as better MD shops:

View attachment 1779863

Those Wilcox diggers are great! I think I've been using one of them since I started back in the 1980s. I finally had to replace one a few years ago, but I swear I had 20 years of digging on it. I recommend them to everyone!

 

[ARC]

I make all my digging tools to match my needs and they must be light weight and strong.
All digging tools are titanium...

One example is my hand digger...

View attachment 1781880

View attachment 1781881

9... do you make / sell these ?

If so... info please.

 

[civil_war22]

I’ve had to resort to using the Stanley shovel I modified for cutting plugs in some harsh terrain, and even yards. I can’t use any of my hand tools anymore, it’s too hard to get back up once I get down. Hard to bend over without it hurting, so even when I dig a target, and have to pin point it I have to send mine back in because I can’t keep bending over do to it falsing. I usually use my shovel to pick myself back up once I’m on the ground.

 

[Number9]

I like your craftsmanship ,the knife has smooth lines and a very clean look to it . the sheath designed to allow soil to fall free is a great feature.

There is 5 welds in the bottom picture of the digging tool... the sheath was made from stainless and black UHMW.

I use my pick mattock for the deeper stuff or when the dirt is harder, it is also made from Grade 5 titanium...

 

[civil_war22]

There is 5 welds in the bottom picture of the digging tool... the sheath was made from stainless and black UHMW.

I use my pick mattock for the deeper stuff or when the dirt is harder, it is also made from Grade 5 titanium...

View attachment 1782603

That dang thing is so sharp you could go climbing Everest with it.

 

[Number9]

And you got to have a shovel.. walking stick.. and rack..


The walking stick is made from Grade 9 titanium... remove the protective aluminum cap and screw the shovel head or the rack to the shaft.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

The Raptor model 31 is an excellent digger; simply cannot break it! The model 35 Piranha shovel is nearly indestructible. Together they are a deadly combination!