Shovel choice?

scotty544 · Apr 16, 2014

Looking at the Sampson T handle and the lesche 28" Ground Shark. Any other suggestions or experience with these two? I want one that gets the job done but isn't overly large in appearance. Don't want people to think that I am going to be digging a foxhole!

Carolina Tom · Apr 16, 2014

I have a 41" Model 80LT relic shovel from Predator Tools (Lesche). Their products are really nice. Check out the new shovel, the piranha. That is supposed to be the latest and greatest. As for "aprearances", I do not take big shovels into public areas, as it does draw attention. I only use a hand digger in public places. GG and HH.

christo000 · Apr 16, 2014

I have used a lot really couldn't even count the model types, most recent would be garret edge digger,lesche right & left handed models,samson 18",ground shark,& now I just got 2 really well made diggers from.a guy on hear one is 32" the other is more a hand version like the raven but bigger & in my opinion better both in camo. My advice I'm 6'2 & I like the 18" & also the 32" I still.get full force I can step on them if need be but I like them not so big because when I'm on the ground I'm able to use the entire tool to get the most out of it unlike a big 50"+ I mean regardless which digger ur still gonna have to go on ur knees to retrieve the item. If there are a couple models I highly suggest go to the market place on this site look up sask hunter he has & makes himself a variety of really good diggers the steal is good welds & bends are great he also will paint it with the colors u want & or throw some wording on it to make it ur tool not just another off the shelf bit urs

cudamark · Apr 16, 2014

I agree with Carolina Tom, if you're worried about what people will think of your "shovel" you need to leave it at home and use a small hand digger. No point in getting kicked out of an area (or worse yet, having detecting banned altogether) because of your equipment choice.

rainyday101 · Apr 16, 2014

If you carried that big shovel into public places I hunt, we would be banned in short order. Learn how to pinpoint well and there is no need for a big shovel. Listen to what Cudamark said. He nailed it.

jeweler21 · Apr 16, 2014

I've been detecting for more than forty years and I can remember 2 times that I needed more than a screwdriver
to dig a find and then I used a folding army shovel.
Learn your detector and what it is telling you. I seldom, if ever, miss a target more than an inch. If it is over 6" down,
my hole will no larger than my hand. Normally the first probe will pop a find from the ground.
I've never had a need for big plugs or diggers.
I use a screwdriver that I made from a long handle off a garden tool . The screwdriver is about 10" long with a 7" inch
hardwood handle. This part of the country has been in drought conditions for several years and the soil is way to hard
to use a digger. Even with a screwdriver the soil pops up in a clod. After I retrieve the object and place the clod back
in the hole, I turn the screwdriver around and bust the clod with the handle. Afterward, a little brushing with the hand
and the area looks completely undisturbed.
Good luck & HH

scotty544 · Apr 17, 2014

I believe I will send sask hunter a pm and see what he has to offer. also may look into the lesche. And jeweler just so you know its not a pinpointing issue, its more like a comfort thing since I have had three knee surgeries. Would also like to say that since the mid 1980's I have never been asked to leave or had a complaint about my digs. I have used a sharpshooter shovel on field hunts before and it is way easier than digging with a hand digger and if done correctly it is probably better for the health of the grass since the plug is larger and more stable, wont be getting sucked up by no lawnmower. Leaves the roots more intact.

Fletch88 · Apr 17, 2014

I recently bought a Predator Mauler and really like it. The blade is 11.5" long. The T handle is a tad short for for the initial plug digging, but is really handy once you kneel down and dig deeper or wider. Very good quality as all Predator tools are with 5 year warranty. If you can find one of the #45 folding shovels from Predator, buy it. It works really well for digging and chopping roots. I spoke with George Lesche (founder of Predator after he sold Lesche) at DIV a few weeks ago and he said he's quitting making them because they are too aggregating and not as much profit in them.

McKinney_5900 · Apr 17, 2014

scotty544 said:
Looking at the Sampson T handle and the lesche 28" Ground Shark. Any other suggestions or experience with these two? I want one that gets the job done but isn't overly large in appearance. Don't want people to think that I am going to be digging a foxhole!

I see way more Sampson T-handles than the ground sharks. I also know friends who have bent theirs. I did own a GS and one of it's pros is it darn near indestructable. One con though is that the curvature of the blade makes it very difficult to dig a nice 6" plug.

If you really want a small, well built shovel with the lowest profile IMO, I suggest the Sampson Mini-18". I've run this shovel for a couple of years now. It's very non threatening.

I don't feel that you should let opinions about simply using a hand digger overrule. I also lived all over Arkansas and I can't imagine that people in that state will be that judgemental. I've used the Mini here in North Texas 90% of the time and never had a single glance fron Joe Public.

You will like either the Sampson T-handle or the 18" Mini. The Mini is the lowest profile, well built shovel I've found.

scotty544 · Apr 17, 2014

Thanks for the replies. If you haven't looked them up already, search sask hunter on this forum and look at the custom shovels he makes ....Wow they are nice :notworthy:

Normsel · Apr 17, 2014

Well I can tell you where I live when people especially park officials see someone with more than a hand digging tool they will politely ask you to leave. Rarely do i ever dig a hole more than 3" in diameter and so I only use a hand Lesche.

Fletch88 · Apr 18, 2014

Normsel said:
Well I can tell you where I live when people especially park officials see someone with more than a hand digging tool they will politely ask you to leave. Rarely do i ever dig a hole more than 3" in diameter and so I only use a hand Lesche.

Normsel, of course you don't carry a big relic shovel to a public park were talking relic digging in woods and fields, or at least I was. Parks are my least favorite place to hunt if I can help it.

scotty544 · Apr 18, 2014

Fletch88 said:
Normsel, of course you don't carry a big relic shovel to a public park were talking relic digging in woods and fields, or at least I was. Parks are my least favorite place to hunt if I can help it.

I have never hunted a public park. I mainly want a smallish type shovel to save my knees a little bit of wear and tear and also for cutting stubborn crab grass and small tree roots. I only hunt places that I have permission to hunt and dig on.

Fletch88 · Apr 18, 2014

scotty544 said:
I have never hunted a public park. I mainly want a smallish type shovel to save my knees a little bit of wear and tear and also for cutting stubborn crab grass and small tree roots. I only hunt places that I have permission to hunt and dig on.

The Sampson T handle is the one you want then. I have the 31" handle so I don't have to kneel down quite as much as you would with the 18" version. I usually cut a 3 sided plug and with the flip of my wrist roll it out before kneeling down with pinpointer.

cudamark · Apr 18, 2014

scotty544 said:
I have never hunted a public park. I mainly want a smallish type shovel to save my knees a little bit of wear and tear and also for cutting stubborn crab grass and small tree roots. I only hunt places that I have permission to hunt and dig on.

Then why were you worried that people would think you might be "digging a fox hole"? :dontknow:

If I was digging in the woods, I'd bring whatever I needed to get the job done. In a park, perception is very important. You might be the cleanest plug cutter on earth but if someone just THINKS you're a vandal, it can set a terrible series of events into motion.

scotty544 · Apr 18, 2014

cudamark said:
Then why were you worried that people would think you might be "digging a fox hole"? If I was digging in the woods, I'd bring whatever I needed to get the job done. In a park, perception is very important. You might be the cleanest plug cutter on earth but if someone just THINKS you're a vandal, it can set a terrible series of events into motion.

You ever carried a full size shovel around with you for a day? Smaller is better. I have a full sized, well built sharp shooter shovel that works great, but it gets too heavy too quick.

flyadive · Apr 18, 2014

I took a post hole digger and made two shovels , I gave one half to a friend, slipped a 12-13 x 14"?long all thread rod through the pivot point as a foot step, I can dig up and pry open large stones without bending over all day! Only time I bend down is to retrieval! And is great for protection if you run into trouble!
Walk as a walking stick or balance it in your hand!
I've had the same shovel for twenty years now and went through 4 handles!
It's the best tool!
If you have to have a low profile digging tool and have a good back... Then use a knife/ garden shovel.

scotty544 · Apr 18, 2014

flyadive said:
I took a post hole digger and made two shovels , I gave one half to a friend, slipped a 12-13 x 14"?long all thread rod through the pivot point as a foot step, I can dig up and pry open large stones without bending over all day! Only time I bend down is to retrieval! And is great for protection if you run into trouble!
Walk as a walking stick or balance it in your hand!
I've had the same shovel for twenty years now and went through 4 handles!
It's the best tool!
If you have to have a low profile digging tool and have a good back... Then use a knife/ garden shovel.

Nice!