Dumb question about Lesche digger

[kansasexp2]

I just got back into the hobby and am needing a new Lesche. I notice that you can get one with either left or right side serrations on the blade. From what I can tell most right handed people are using the right side serrations and this is considered a right handed tool when reading descriptions from retailers. In my mind if you are right handed the serrations should be on the left and you should cut the plug from right to left. I know this sounds like a silly thing to worry about but my thinking seems to go against what most people are doing and I keep wondering if there's something I am missing. So what am I missing here? If you use a Lesche which side are your serrations on? Am I nuts or what???

 

[Elton]

Aren't the serrations for root cuts etc.. and the sharp blade side for dirt and grass cutting ?????? If I am right in my understanding you wouldn't want the serrations cutting toward you on roots in case of slippage or sudden cut threw on roots.... You could get a nasty cut

 

[sprchng]

I DIG with the left hand even though I am left handed and swing with the right.
My experience is that for me the serrations should be on the right side of the lesche since I dig a horse shoe flap from left to right in a direction which is toward me.
I have used my powered chain saw blade sharpener to grind additional serrations between the factory ones and down the once un-serrated side just to make it more aggressive. Neither of the two lesches which I have altered this way show any hint of being weakened.

Speedy clean recovery trumps safety.

 

[kansasexp2]

That's a wicked looking Lesche! Sounds like you think the same way I do about which side the serrations should be on. In your case though the tree roots have no chance!

 

[MI-AuAg]

Hey kansasexp2,

Welcome back to the hobby!

Honestly, there is no right, or wrong method. It's what's comfortable for the individual. If I'm not mistaken, I believe the method of digging clockwise for right handers (serrations on left), counter-clockwise for left handers (serrations on right) is the method generally expected by the manufacturer. I think they expect the serrated edge will be the primary cutting edge used. But once again, it's what works for you!

I see the new Whites digger, I think it's called the Digmaster, has serrated edges on BOTH sides, with measurement markings in the center. If I were in need of a new tool, I would give that one a look, because I tend to use both edges for cutting plugs, and I like the serrations. It's less expensive too!

 

[airscapes]

I am right handed and dig the plug in a horseshoe starting at the right top of the U going clockwise and the serrations are on the left side of the tool when the point is facing away from you.
Not sure if the is left or right but you can find the pictures of them to figure it out.
Hope that helps

 

[REVIER]

I am going right handed...I have some tough clay and rock filled soil.
Cuts on the right side as I am holding it and I start on the left and cut a horseshoe plus moving to the right...counter clockwise.
Works great.

 

[kansasexp2]

Thank you, it's good to be back. I agree with your thinking but it just seems that the general consensus is the opposite. I will have a look at the Whites digger.

 

[GeorgeinSC]

I am right handed and I use the left serrated digger. I want the serrations to cut thru the grass and other roots. So I cut a clockwise cut. I don't find that the other side of the digger does much cutting.

 

[Dan-Pa.]

All depends on the individual....like the idea with serrations on both sides myself....

 

[REVIER]

All depends on the individual....like the idea with serrations on both sides myself....

W. W. Mfg. actually have manufactured and made a few but don't sell them because they have never fully tested them in the field.

If you break any of their tools at any time they will replace it for free if you send it into them...as long as you don't mod it.
A hand digger, a Sampson...
Any of them.

I pry big rocks and concrete like dirt way too much so I have broken two of the hand diggers.
They are super tough but not indestructible...not in my hands.
My first one I modded and put cuts in the other side and really never needed them but at the time I thought I did...then I bent and eventually broke it.
I got another one and left it alone but trying to pry up a frozen solid piece of dirt while hunting in the winter I bent that one too...then a few months later while trying to pry a big hard chunk of dirt during a drought I broke that one also.
I called them and the nice lady said they won't do anything about the modded one but they will happily replace the other one and I could choose either the right or left handed models.
I did ask about any double cut models and that is when she told me they had a few and would send me one of those if I wanted.
She said they believed these models were just as tough as the others but because they were never heavily field tested and have no warranty on them this would be a one time deal...don't bother sending it back if I broke it.
With my track record I thought it was prudent to choose my normal right handed digger and I leave it alone.
No more modding for me, I like to keep the lifetime warranty in effect just in case.