Rattlehead
Forum Supporter
Hmmm.. I may have to try one of those. Thanks for the heads up!
Shovel Shopping
- Thread starter Copet
- Start date
Hmmm.. I may have to try one of those. Thanks for the heads up!
J-ROB
New Member
After hearing George Lesche on a few interviews, I'm convinced he is a quality maniac.
I especially appreciate that he only uses certified US sourced Chrome Moly steel at twice the price of imported mystery meat. Predator Tools are not free, but I'm glad to have an option to steer free of inferior junk at only a slight to moderate discount from the good stuff. Predator Tools are a joy to own and use, after all those long-forgotten $10 Big Lots shovels, e-tools, cheap trowels, and whatever else I tried to dig with over the decades.
I especially appreciate that he only uses certified US sourced Chrome Moly steel at twice the price of imported mystery meat. Predator Tools are not free, but I'm glad to have an option to steer free of inferior junk at only a slight to moderate discount from the good stuff. Predator Tools are a joy to own and use, after all those long-forgotten $10 Big Lots shovels, e-tools, cheap trowels, and whatever else I tried to dig with over the decades.
Copet
Full Member
I'm a coin and relic shooter. 90% of the time I'm in someone's yard, the other 10% is off the beaten path.
Estima8tor
Elite Member
I've been using the Root Slayer Nomad for the past year. I went out this morning to do a farm hunt and this is what happened to my shovel :\
To be fair I was prying up on an old iron plow blade and putting a lot of force on it and it just snapped. I love this shovel so I'm going to order another one....
To be fair I was prying up on an old iron plow blade and putting a lot of force on it and it just snapped. I love this shovel so I'm going to order another one....
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KOB
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Curious as to why you would want to even pry something like that up. Knowing full well you could damage your tool. Are you a relic hunter ? I don't understand.
Martin_V3i
Elite Member
I did foolish things with my first Sampson 31", but I learned. The first(and last) serious bend I made on my 31", was simply jabbing it into dried out summer Texas clay, and mind you, that's perfectly ok, but simply "laying down" on the handle with no hesitation even after you feel the non-budging movement? That was a lesson. I reshaped the blade, and respected the fact that things have limits.
I've used that same Sampson for many years here in Texas clay, annd never lost shape. It all comes down to simple common sense.
Estima8tor
Elite Member
Well I hunt a lot of farms and I remove large iron from the fields when ever I can for three reasons: I'm a curious relic hunter / large iron & steel mask out good targets / and so the farmers who are kind enough to give me permission to hunt their land don't hit it with their expensive plow equipment. I remove it and throw it in the drainage ditches and the farmers appreciate it.
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longbow62
Forum Supporter
Stay away from the Ground Shark. I have one and hate it. It's blade curvature is to tight and narrow. It's build quality is great and the foot pad and overall function is top notch, but shovels with more flat type blades cut much better plugs, and don't hold dirt/clay. Look at Predator Tools. I am currently using the Piranha teeth on both sides. It's a super nice shovel.
Martin_V3i
Elite Member
A big AMEN about the small curvature on the GS. I lost my first 36" Ground Shark and stupidly bought a shorter 28" GS.
Best move I made was to move to a broader blade Sampson. My 28" GS is a dusty shovel, from just laying around. The Ground Shark makes ugly holes. Terrible design.
I want to know though, why do Ground Shark users like it? Sorry to distract from the OP's question. There's surely a reason these are selling for the prices they get for these. Thanks.
Estima8tor
Elite Member
Lol, really? This is supposed to be the "Freindly" metal detecting forum so I will not go there. But thanks for the advice Dad......
Martin_V3i
Elite Member
I can see that you were defending digging methods, not the max strength of any shovel. Sorry. All I meant was that you can warp, disfigure, or break any shovel.
My 31" T-handle Sampson never became a second problem after my fix, and with my sensible usage. Have a good day
KOB
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This is an interesting topic for me guys. To see your likes and dislikes on shovels. I have never personally owned any of these that you talk about. That's because being a beachhunter I'm more of an "expert" in beach scoops and it's all relative. Have owned countless and many have broke. Some , me just being stupid. Others ( not many) have had defects. Others wear out fast. But I think a big part is common sense and using a certain amount of "finesse" in regards to each particular tool and the medium you dig in. Which , like a saw blade or drill bit , if applying to much torque or pressure they will break. Or possibly worse burn out a motor , etc. Same as hyper extending your knee or throwing out a elbow or shoulder.
FreeBirdTim
Elite Member
I've beaten the snot out of my 31" Sampson for three years and it's still straight as an arrow. I've used it many times to get past a couple inches of frozen ground and never had a problem with it. I only need to sharpen it a couple of times a year, so it's definitely made of high grade steel.
shellhouse
Forum Supporter
Thanks for sharing. Have been thinking about vertical steel reinforcement strips on my root assassin which is similar. If on the inside I was concerned about scarring up targets. Maybe a couple on the back side instead.
ScottNEflorida
Forum Supporter
I've never seen a reason to go bigger than the 18" Mini Sampson, small enough to use in a park but sturdy and large enough to effortlessly flip open a plug.
Martin_V3i
Elite Member
KOB
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Isn't one of the main reasons on selecting the length based on your stature ? For a man 6'5" your doubling over your back.
FreeBirdTim
Elite Member
Exactly. I'm 6'3" and the 31" Sampson makes digging holes in the woods easy without having to get down on my knees all the time. I just don't see the point of a short shovel. You mind as well use the Lesche hand digger, since you'll be digging holes on your knees every time you get a signal.
cellrdwellr
Elite Member
Tim, when you do buy a other shovel, I highly recommend the predator barracuda for one reason. Its 3" longer than the sampson, and it makes a world of a difference for us tall guy's. If I use a sampson now it feels like I have to bend down...just food for thought, hope all is well down there. Good luck this season!
FreeBirdTim
Elite Member
Jeff, you're right, another 3" would help. I will definitely check out the predator barracuda. Thanks for the tip!
