I bought a Lesche Pradator myeself. Model 85. I was a little reluctant at first because of it's resemblance to a bayonet. Around here, where people are very up tight about weapons and all I don't want to go out with too intimidating of a presense It doesn't have any sharp edges though and has a rounded tip. If I were to get confronted by a curious police officer, I am sure it would be OK. My first thoughts, though, were why draw the attention in the first place. However, from the limited use where I have used it, it does cut through the sod and soil pretty good and seems pretty sturdy. I have never had a feeling of flimsyness or flexing. The thinner profile of the tip helps to make it cut through the ground pretty nicely.
I have some vague recallection that, when I first researched the Lesche tools, I learned that Lesche makes a lot of professional tools for the landscaping and nursery industry and that the Predator, if not the same thing is similar or designed based on a model of digger that is used by the military and issued to the troops.
http://predatortools.com/
It has a curved scoop and looks like most garden trowels except for the serrated edge. It seemed a bit more heavy duty than anything that I was finding at the local hardware or home center. It also has the teeth on the edge for cutting through tree roots which I thought would be beneficial. When I actually received the digger in the mail, I was impressed with the softness and comfort of the grip also.
Here is a picture of what I have in my detecting bucket.
Before the Lesche, I had another digger that seemed well made and all. It was made of a similar heavy quality steel and was formed from one piece which is something I would suggest people look for. Fewer welds and all are better. A lot of the diggers I saw at the hardware had little scooped blades tack welded to a flimsy handle. Eventually the handle bends or breaks off. Fewer parts and more that is one piece means that you don't need to worry about that. In most cases, you probably won't find something one piece so look carefully at the way that parts are attached. Look at the quality of welds.
Comparing the two diggers pointed above. I would lean toward the predator due to it's sleeker profile. The pointier tip means less resistance when you plunge it into the ground. The other digger has a more broad nose but is sharpened. That could, I think, be a little dangerous so be carful. Also, I liked the grip on the Predator more. The black handled digger is similar to others that I have seen but like I said, this one is a one pice construction of good quality steel that has the handle bent to form a triangle, I think. Then the grip is applied over that. Very sturdy and far better than some of the similar looking but cheaper immitations.
:P
