Need new shovel

[John Madill]

I recently bought a 28" Lesche, I think it's a ground shark, for $60.
I'm 5' 10" and it is a good length for me.

 

[too_pointer]

I have a serrated hand shovel that works pretty good but I am finding it tough to always have to bend over or get down on my old 66 year old knees. I am thinking about getting a shovel with a handle. I am 5'6" and wanted one that won't get much attention when at parks and school yards. Not sure what length handle would be best. Thought about 18" since it will carry nicely but don't want to get anything too short. Any suggestions on what shovels I should look at?

https://kellycodetectors.com/fiskars-pro-d-handle-shovel/, this looks like what I might want, best luck in your search !
too_

 

[oldkoot]

I love everything at predator tools. I have both the little eagle and the spike. Spike might be too short for you, but the little eagle has a good length and not a long shovel appearance, but at 5'9" I just bend slightly to use it. There's a ton of length options on their page and handle types.

Spike
https://www.predatortools.com/collections/shovels/products/model-69-the-spike-mini-shovel

Little eagle
https://www.predatortools.com/collections/shovels/products/model-58-s-little-eagle

Have to agree with the predator tools shovels, the hardest part is trying to figure our which one you want to purchase

also looks like they have added a few more shovels that look really good

I currently own and use the model 24 Phoenix shovel and the Lady bug shovel also have the model 85 hand digger and the raptor hand digger they are all fantastic shovels and hand diggers

 

[EmuDetector]

Have to agree with the predator tools shovels, the hardest part is trying to figure our which one you want to purchase

also looks like they have added a few more shovels that look really good

I currently own and use the model 24 Phoenix shovel and the Lady bug shovel also have the model 85 hand digger and the raptor hand digger they are all fantastic shovels and hand diggers

I think I mentioned in this thread before, but I am still a big supporter of my Spike model. I hike into most of my dig areas so it being small is easy to attach to my backpack; luckily still young with good knees to kneel and dig But on the rarer times I am out in a public park setting it is also small enough to not attract a lot of attention like I am on some massive property destruction mission. I do also have a Little Eagle which the GF is comfortable with. She's 5'2" so she can stand up and dig with it without issue.

Model 69 - The Spike - Mini-Shovel

Mighty And Compact, designed in 2017 The Spike is a multi-purpose, versatile, and easy to carry digging tool; fits in a backpack. It easily penetrates the ground. The Spike is great for metal detecting, nursery work, prospecting, gardening, and landscaping. This tool does not have fittings for...

www.predatortools.com

Model 58 (S) - Little Eagle - Shovel

Please note: Footpads do not fit this model shovel Shovel dimensions are below the video. Dimensions: 26 ½" (67.31mm) overall length. The shaft is 1" diameter x 18" longT-Handle measures 1 ¼" x 5 3/8". The blade measures 4" x 7½" long.Weight: Approx 2 lbs 2 oz

www.predatortools.com

 

[bestbuybruce]

I ran onto some newbies who had shovels, I took the time to show them how to pinpoint with their detectors. They then stopped carrying around the dang shovels. Tube videos show people hacking coins up with shovels, Can't dig a big enough hole and still hack the targets. Amazing. A 12 inch trowel works fine.

 

[markinmichigan]

I ran onto some newbies who had shovels, I took the time to show them how to pinpoint with their detectors. They then stopped carrying around the dang shovels. Tube videos show people hacking coins up with shovels, Can't dig a big enough hole and still hack the targets. Amazing. A 12 inch trowel works fine.

Out of town this holiday weekend. I bumped into a guy while out detecting Sunday morning, all he had was a screw driver and his ancient big box of a metal detector. No pin pointer. We talked for awhile and he mentioned he noticed that I was finding more targets than he was. I let him use my backup pin pointer for the duration and he was very happy.

Made a new friend that morning. He told me about several other spots he hunts. Great day.

Mark in Michigan

 

[Martin_V3i]

I ran onto some newbies who had shovels, I took the time to show them how to pinpoint with their detectors. They then stopped carrying around the dang shovels. Tube videos show people hacking coins up with shovels, Can't dig a big enough hole and still hack the targets. Amazing. A 12 inch trowel works fine.

Not me. I will have my shovel pried out of my hand. Not a Ground Shark. Those make ugly holes.

 

[Martin_V3i]

I use an 18" Sampson. I have both it and the 31" but since getting the 18" I have never used the other. I am 73 and have to get down to retrieve my find anyway, I have talked to park workers while wearing it and have never had anyone say anything about it.
View attachment 504556

I have the 18" also.

 

[Barrymeyers]

Thanks to this thread, I decided to purchase a new shovel. I went with the Predator Phoenix and absolutely love it.

I’ve been trying to find a way to describe the difference in using this shovel versus my old way. I’m going to go with: it’s like going from the crank start in the front of a car versus a keyed ignition system inside.

 

[too_pointer]

My main issue is mine has the T-Handle on it, and is rough on my hands.
too_

 

[oldkoot]

Thanks to this thread, I decided to purchase a new shovel. I went with the Predator Phoenix and absolutely love it.

I’ve been trying to find a way to describe the difference in using this shovel versus my old way. I’m going to go with: it’s like going from the crank start in the front of a car versus a keyed ignition system inside.

yep the way the phoenix shovel is designed, it makes it almost impossible to dig a bad plug

 

[Martin_V3i]

My main issue is mine has the T-Handle on it, and is rough on my hands.
too_

I have always used a t-handle since starting detecting in 2010, they were the kind I was taught. What part of the t-handle is rough on your hands?

 

[BobOso]

I ran onto some newbies who had shovels, I took the time to show them how to pinpoint with their detectors. They then stopped carrying around the dang shovels. Tube videos show people hacking coins up with shovels, Can't dig a big enough hole and still hack the targets. Amazing. A 12 inch trowel works fine.

But a 12 inch trowel will not dig through caliche, which is what a great deal of soil you will find here in the Southwest.

 

[too_pointer]

I have always used a t-handle since starting detecting in 2010, they were the kind I was taught. What part of the t-handle is rough on your hands?

I have the arthritic bad in my hands, I just believe the t-handle is rough on me.
too_

 

[too_pointer]

What's your budget?

I don't care, say $100 would be nice, lol
too_

 

[Gunrunner]

Only hurt once when you buy a lesche or predator

 

[cellrdwellr]

I ran onto some newbies who had shovels, I took the time to show them how to pinpoint with their detectors. They then stopped carrying around the dang shovels. Tube videos show people hacking coins up with shovels, Can't dig a big enough hole and still hack the targets. Amazing. A 12 inch trowel works fine.

You can just as easily hack up a coin with a 12" trowel this is a thread about shovels NOT trowels. Clearly your stuck in the stone age of detecting accessories. Maybe you should try a legit digging tool and a real pinpointer, your back (and time) will thank you!

 

[oldkoot]

But a 12 inch trowel will not dig through caliche, which is what a great deal of soil you will find here in the Southwest.

Exactly I would like to see someone come out to Arizona where I am and try to dig with a 12 inch trowel, 90% of the time I am using a Bunks Hermit Pick LOL that I modified to a 40 inch handle also have his Burro Pick with a longer 36 inch handle