how do you recover coins using a large knife?

[re-tek]

i've read that some folks like to use a large survival knife to recover objects. can you explain exactly how you do it? i'd like to learn how to extract coins in a somewhat surgical manner (without a shovel of any kind).

the soil here ranges from sandy, to loam with rocks, to hard packed clay like stuff. we get two types of grass, regular ole sod with lots of interconnecting roots and that stuff that they use on golf courses.

 

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[Sandman]

There are many methods. The pic is from the Tesoro handbook. Helps to set the plug if you cut one on a piece of plastic so you can pour all the dirt back in the hole.

 

[teverly]

I usually try and use the screwdriver for shallow coins and a plug for deeper ones.If you can practice and get good at using the screwdriver to recover targets it works well for manicured lawns.....

 

[Jeff In North Georgia]

I used to use a heavy duty knife like a military K-bar or bayonet. But these day you have to be careful depending on where you are hunting. People are not going to like seeing anyone using a knife to dig plugs at a school or park. I have since switched to a trowel. Use a high quality SS version and keep it sharp. Some even can saw roots.

Jeff

 

[luvsdux]

Be careful when using a screwdriver - it's very easy to put nasty scratches on the coin. Especially sad if it turns out to be a great oldie!
Cheers,
Bill