Ralph,
I have been using my present three tools for about 16 months. I am very pleased with the performance of all.
The #1 tool is a 20" total length shovel with a 3" wide by 7" long slightly curved blade. I use this tool for cutting the plug, loosening and/or digging out the dirt.
The #2 tool is a plastic hand spade (the type used for working in the flower bed). The tip of the blade is cut off to provide a blunt edge. I sometimes use this tool for removing the loosened dirt with reduced risk of having a steel blade damage a valuable coin. This tool was given to me by a fellow hunter (Thanks Greg).
The #3 tool is a knife with a 2" wide by 7" long slightly curved blade. I use this tool for:
* cutting through roots
* prying loose rocks
* digging around roots
* making a slice in the ground and then prying the sod upwards for removing shallow targets
* personal protection in rough neighborhoods (thats a joke)
The knife has serrations on only one side, but I do not even know which side the serrations are on. I cut roots to the right or to the left by simply rotating the knife to put the serrations on the appropriate side.
Having said all of this I would say having the serrations on both sides of the knife might be of some benefit, but the serrations might make cutting the slit in the grass for the shallow targets somewhat more difficult than a non-serrated edge.
Sorry for being too verbose. Hope this helps.
Regards,
Glenn
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