Your Favorite Dig Tool?

[MetalDetectorDude]

I still haven't found a dig tool I love.... what is your favorite?

 

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[Pointman]

My TWO HANDS.

No really, I use the standard Lesche. It is a very solid digging tool, but I think that it is a little lacking for some tasks. I think that it is good for digging soft soil, or even working in gravel, but can be a little lacking in hard ground or cutting through tough grass. I am still looking for the best tool and I am trying to "talk" myself into trying/buying the Raptor by Predator Tools.

The Sampson is the best for breaking ground but not the best for moving a lot of dirt. I have a Lesche Ground Shark with the "D" handle that is tops for moving a lot of soil.

My assumption is that there isn't one perfect tool for everything, but I like the Lesche shovels so far. I am sure that all the Predator tools do a good job in their own right, but I can't bring myself to pay $80+ for a shovel just yet.

 

[MetalDetectorDude]

Great info! Yes, Predator makes some great tools. I have a Sampson and love it, but I'm mow looking for a hand digger that I'll like.

the Predator Raven looks good, too.

 

[Pointman]

I can be more specific on the Lesche hand tool. I think that it is good for pinpoint cutting once you pull a plug and with a little sharpening would become much better at making a plug. For accuracy it seems good. For moving soil out of the way, the blade is a little too flat for doing so. You have to also "overshoot" your coin a little when you go to pulling it out because the tip is very sharp and accurate and it can easily scratch coins if you get into too much of a hurry or do not pull a big enough plug to begin with. I have a theory that it would would work great for specific applications as well as another hand digger. Kind of like being a "ground surgeon" in a way where you use more than one tool for doing different tasks and steps. For moving small gravel it is very sturdy and this is where the accuracy and tip lends itself to the task. You can pry with it and the blade is slightly springy, but you don't want to move large embedded rocks or boulders with it of course.

 

[wild eyed willey]

Got mine from Home depot for 9.97, got a green handle, nice serrated blade on one side for cutting roots. It works great so far and doesn't bend like the last one. I think it might say ames on it, but It's out in the truck. worth every Penny and lodes cheaper than the ones made for MDing . I also use a scooped shaped garden trowel for digging out the hole after the plug has been cut and pulled.

 

[Produce Guy]

I have a small size,about 30 inches long Ames shovel and a Gerber knife.

 

[cactusrat]

I have several digging tools. None are a favorite.

I will use any thing from a sharp shooting, a metal hand digger, a plastic hand shovel, and a long screw driver. It just depends where I’m digging and what the soil hardness is like.

Like they say, use the right tool for the job and get it done faster and easier.

 

[Fletch88]

Treasure Wise T-12 and 3-n-1 digger are my favorites over my Lesche.the leather sheath is much better than nylon ones that come with most diggers. The V shape of the T-12 makes removing dirt in deeper holes easier.

 

[The Beep Goes On]

I've had a Lesche for years - very solid. Keep it clean and don't pry too hard and it will last a lifetime. It's no fun when you find you have the wrong tool for the job. For sheer speed the 4" trenching shovel (now painted green) is awesome. Some ground is too hard for any tool without a lot of work - wait until it rains and hit it then.

 

[MetalDetectorDude]

Fletch88 - I have a thread open right now on how disappointed I am with my new Treasure Wise 3n1. Yours looks great! Mine came to me in the mail looking like an 8 year old butchered one side with a grindstone. It's so lopsided it doesn't even come to a point.

 

[Old Dude]

I have used a Garrett trowel all year except when searching woodlands or creek beds. I have a home made digger that is a simple triangular piece of steel plate, sharpened on sides with serrations cut into them and a Hexagonal T-handle. This works great in stone parking lots too.

Sent from my iPad using TreasureNet

 

[MUD(S.W.A.T)]

For basic detecting, I prefer to use a small relic shovel from Home Depot under $10

Keep @ it and HH !!

 

[team sidewinder]

Lesche and no reason to try or buy anything else. IMHO

 

[Wily Dunk]

I have a Lesche and a Garrett Edge.. Like them both and no problems with either one.. I also have a folding trench shovel with a pick on one side..

 

[Tnmountains]

Mt lesche is taking a beating not very sharp but still kicking. I started out digging with an old bayonet. It would cut a great plug in damp soil.

 

[gleaner1]

I never found a digger I liked till I started makin my own

 

[MetalDetectorDude]

I never found a digger I liked till I started makin my own

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That top one looks like its got the perfect angle and damn nice grip. Good work!

 

[gleaner1]

I paid almost sixty bucks for that top one its top notch quality but I hated the angle of the factory handle it was not right. So I hacked off the factory handle and put my own on right. The grips are Hunt Wilde, a great old grip company. Check them out.

 

[gleaner1]

Now the bottom one, take a look at the angle of the handle to the blade. It might look odd but believe me its set perfect ergonomically. Torque reaction about the wrist when thrusting is minimized. You can tell once you handle it. Try making models of diggers out of cardboard and paper tubes and duct tape. Then get a good old quality shovel and some 7/8 or 1" steel tubing, thick walled. Then get the grinder and cut off wheels and welder and torch and cold ones out. I like to peen the snot out of the blade with a big azz ball peen hammer on some hard wood after welding, it adds strength and the muddy crap falls off the bumpy surface easier.

 

[gleaner1]

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