How big is too big?

[Pete in MI]

I just got a DVD "Metal Detecting Real World Techniques Inland Coin and Relic Hunting". http://www.dankowskidetectors.com/

Very educational movie. The guy in the movie used a shovel - pointed spade, short handle (maybe from ground to knee high) with a D handle. He made a point to say that the larger plug (cutting only 3 sides and flipping the plug over) would help the grass recover better than smaller tools.

The 3 sided cut makes sense and maybe the larger plug does too but what happens when one takes a 'shovel' to a local park???? Though he did do detecting on what would be considered abandoned property and used the shovel on that type of land - would it be appropriate to do likewise in a city or county or even state park?? (Personally I think the answer is no).

I could see it being used for relic hunting on farm land or ghost towning. What are your thoughts on this topic?

I used to use a 'soil knife' that easily broke when used to leverage things out of the ground. Now I use one like JoeG used in his video (cool video too there Joe).

I mention this for the benefit too of those who are new to detecting and may take this at face value and go get a shovel and hit the school playgrounds, etc.

 

[Mike from MI "Iron Brigade"]

is too big for public property! It makes the hobby look bad. Now relic hunting in a farm field, or in the woods on private property that is another story! Also any shovel is too big for a yard where you have permission, but is still lived in.

 

[trump]

I have a shovel about the same as Dan used in the video but use it with caution so I dont leave a bad impression on the hobby. it seems that we are always under the microscope.

 

[steve in so la]

a parks worker told me he found a guy in the city park with a shovel who was detecting. How can anyone be so lame brained as to take one to a city park?? Steve inso az

 

[Mike from MI "Iron Brigade"]

Some guy is in a park using a shovel sen by many people.
Along comes me or you knocking on the door of that 1800's house you have been dreaming about searching. the guy that comes to the door hears you out, then remembers seeing that guy in the park with the shovel. Now all he can think about is how his yard will look when you are done. He then says, he would rather you not. Then we are down the road rejected!! It only takes one guy looking bad, to give folks a bad impression for the rest of us!

 

[Mike from MI "Iron Brigade"]

have I seen it, but have had to tell a guy I know more than once to put his away! and another guy I know said he was just using one to help him get up. I watched him, and he was using it to get huge amounts of dirt up!

 

[steve in so la]

d

 

[Pete in MI]

in city parks he does use a smaller tool. That wasn't shown or indicated in the movie so I had visions of people not asking or thinking about 'image' and hauling out the long handled pointed shovel to dig with.

We lose too many places to detect as you mentioned Mike because the thoughtless of others and those who see things being done wrong so they learn improper techniques.

There were lots of good pointers brought out in the movie - just wish something would have been said about using the proper tool at the right time and the right place.

 

[TuckyTector(InezKY)]

n/t

 

[Pete in MI]

in a long long time. Glad you liked what was there to see.

 

[TuckyTector(InezKY)]

I purchased the plug popper a while back and use it when the soil condition allows. First you cut three sides of a 3 in. square and flip the grass back. Then you can plug up to a 9 in hole 2 1/2 inches round without damaging the grass. When the target is retrived from the plug put the dirt back in the hole,flip the grass back and step on it. No noticeable damage done. The only bad thing is the plug popper won't cut through rocks. I carry a spade and metal probe for rocky ground. I only carry a shovel when I'm hunting old homesites up hollows or in fields and its a small military fold up one. The shovel is also a good tool when you're confronted by a timber rattler or copperhead. I take all trash out with me too. Got a great collection of tabs.
HH
KY Bud

 

[Mike Chgo area]

n/t