Heading for the beach, new guy needs some advice

[waseeker]

Hi Everyone.

I'm new to serious TH/MD. While I have had good success in the local parks, etc., my only two excursions to the Oregon Coast were less than satisfactory.

I am heading to the Gulf coast on Thursday and would appreciate any advice ya'll would be willing to share about beach hunting.

 

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[Treasure_Hunter]

I carry either a large buck hunting knife (9 inch blade and razor sharp) or an 8 inch divers knife and I make sure they are visible.

Once I had the beach patrol ask me what it was for, I said "sharks". The truth is it's for "land sharks". I am always wearing my wet suit when I am hunting the beaches here, on the sand or in the water.

 

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[MadMorgan]

I carry either a large buck hunting knife (9 inch blade and razor sharp) or an 8 inch divers knife and I make sure they are visible.

I left my diving knife in the truck yesterday, but after I found those rings and everyone kept walking up asking " have you found anything" I was wishing I'd had it with me. I wonder if it's acceptable to wear it anywhere on the beach, or if there might be areas that it's illegal.
I'd hate to get my Randall diving knife confiscated. It's a five year wait to get one once you're even on the list, lol.

http://www.randallknives.com/catalog.php?action=modeldetail&id=23

 

[waseeker]

Re: Heading for the beach, new guy needs some advice(UPDATED)

Well, I'm here and have gotten out a couple of times. The advice about the saran wrap has been real helpful as it has been pretty breezy most days. It took a bit but I did discover that lane ya'll have been talking about between the two tide marks. lots of clad, a dinner knife, a kids toy plane and lots of trash to show the busy bodies. technically I have 1 ring since it is round and appears to be copper, but certainly isn't jewelry.

one more question. anyone got any ideas about how to get the marine junk (small shells, etc) off of the coins? a couple are so covered that I can't tell what they are. Also, I may have another ring, but can't get the junk off of it to see what I have.

thanks everyone.

 

[dahut]

How does this sound?:

Soak and Poke.

Soak it in a vinegar-water solution to soften it up and poke and scrape at the baddies till you can make out what you have. Careful! You dont want to scrape on the object itself until you've gotten enough of the crusties off the make an ID.

 

[dahut]

I was wishing I'd had it with me (knife). I wonder if it's acceptable to wear it anywhere on the beach, or if there might be areas that it's illegal.

Two ways to find out =

1. Contact the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction. Then just ask them about metal detecting with a dive knife on the beach. Given the chance at that sort of question, though, their response will likely be, "no" to detecting or the knife - or both. Those in control can be funny about exercising it...
(Yes, friends, I have a little quibble with those whose aim is merely to enforce laws, as opposed to those valiant people who work for public safety.)

2. Just carry one discreetly visible - but NOT your big buck SuperSticker. Just get a $15.00-$30.00 stainless, solid tang "dive" knife at WalMart and belt it on as part of the rest of your gear. Carry a pouch, A cell phone, a scoop, a magnet on a stick and the knife. Wear all this on a "duty belt" sort of affair and make it look like part of your normal accoutrements...which it should be.

Just my input...

 

[waseeker]

I'll give the soak & poke a try as I've got lots of stuff to clean.

heading home tuesday and not sure if I'll get out tomorrow as we have to close up the condo. it's been a good week. at least 150 clad coins, some relics and 1 gold wedding band (10K mens). will send pictures when I get home

 

[dahut]

"...everyone kept walking up asking "Have you found anything?"
Here's a great answer to that question:

"Why, did you lose something?"

If they say,"NO," then retort with,"Oh, that must be why I haven't found anything," and pull out a handful of your trash to show them.

If they say, "YES," ...well, you now have a lead to a possible good find.