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Lesche & predator tool physical comparison... pics & measurements ....

A

Anonymous

Guest
I got my new predator tools 85e (orange handled) digger today & decided, to compare it to my old lesche standard (red handled) digger. I havent seen anyone compare the 2 online so that is why i am doing it.
Note: the red handled lesche in the pic i have used for a few years now so it no longer has the original finish that is on the pred. tool. Also It is probable that I have worn the tip down a bit after much use so take that into consideration when comparing the measurements.
The designs DO have small differences.
The pred. tool is longer that the old lesche. Its handle is longer & its blade is longer. The indent where the blade meets the hilt is a bit more broad that the older lesche (hopefully you can see it in the pics). The blade itself is just a tad wider than the older lesche. Not sure if the blade itself is thicker as i dont have a micrometer handy.... they are both VERY close if not the same thickness.
Note: measurements are as accurate as i could measure them & may be off by a tiny amount.
<img src="http://img176.echo.cx/img176/3416/diggerscomparmeasurem2bs.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://img176.echo.cx/img176/3900/diggerscompar39er.jpg" alt="" />
I havent used the new pred. tool yet in the field.
The one thing that i think is a great improvement is the hunter-orange grip. I have, in the past, dropped or left my old red handled lesche in the field & had to spend some time finding it. The new hunter-orange handle should make finding it easier.
 
I am on my second Lesche trowel, having lost the first one. They were both the red-handled one (old style). The only complaint I have with these tools is they put the serations on the right side of the blade. I am right handed and make a clockwise cut in the grass for my plug so I had to grind my own serations on the left side of the blade. These notches help a lot when cutting through turf and small roots IF you keep the blade sharpened. I think Pam Lesche would be doing a great service of they made these tools with the serations on BOTH sides of the blade, that way either a left or right-hander could use them to their best potential. Do you think it would be worth it to mention it to the company? I picked up the Little Eagle shovel this year after using the standard (blunt tip) shovel for 3 years. The Little Eagle could be another 1-2"wider but itreally cuts through the ground better than the old shovel. Your hunting tools take a beating and these are the best out there from what I have seen. Ron
 
After I seen this post I had just received 2 Lesche trowel from wwmfg. ( red handle) and wished I'd got the predator tools 85e (orange handled). I decided to sale both on a online auction and recoup my money and order the Predator's. I ordered them both and put the other two online, I've sole one at this time but today received my Predator's order. There is no difference in the two, only the color of the handle and the price. I paid $35.95 ea plus $7.89 shipping for the wwmfg total $79.70 for two, I paid 47.95 ea. plus $10.00ea. shipping for the Predator's total 115.90 for two. Both are the same in weight, size, length... Only I paid $36.20 more for what I thought was a better product that is the same. Here are pictures of both, Predator and WWmfg must have came to a agreement on size.
 
wvrick said:
After I seen this post I had just received 2 Lesche trowel from wwmfg. ( red handle) and wished I'd got the predator tools 85e (orange handled). I decided to sale both on a online auction and recoup my money and order the Predator's. I ordered them both and put the other two online, I've sole one at this time but today received my Predator's order. There is no difference in the two, only the color of the handle and the price. I paid $35.95 ea plus $7.89 shipping for the wwmfg total $79.70 for two, I paid 47.95 ea. plus $10.00ea. shipping for the Predator's total 115.90 for two. Both are the same in weight, size, length... Only I paid $36.20 more for what I thought was a better product that is the same. Here are pictures of both, Predator and WWmfg must have came to a agreement on size.
Click to expand...

Wow! that is bad!
Okay, everybody I have to work with this guy! anybody want to take my place at work for a couple of days while he cools off! :unsure:
That deal makes me mad and it wasn't even my money!

Mark
 
There's a company that sells them with the notches on the other side. I would send you a link but I don't think we can on the forum and I cant send you a PM either
 
[size=large]like most companies just go to their website and pic the tool that has the edges on the side you want. somewhere on the site will be a dealer location button. who ever sold you the original lesche should be able to get the other one you prefer. also seems you got a darn good price on them. regular price is around $50.00 + s/h. sounds like it's time for a spring break from work. :starwars:

HH[/size]
 
Thanks for the comparison Jim. Great pics and very informative.
 
Hopskippy said:
Thanks for the comparison Jim. Great pics and very informative.
Click to expand...

Too bad they are NOT that size now, if you notice Jims post Date: May 13, 2005... A lot has changed- I have both WWMFG (Lesche family)and Predator(Lesche). They are both the same everything, grips are "Hunt Wilde" brand with color different , even the same warning sticker. I'm not saying either are bad tools, I'm keeping the red handle... Just they are both the same tool with a big price difference.

HH
 
I also own the original Lesche. Just bought the Razor Edge Gator from Aardvark metal detecting (subsidiary of Kellyco??) It has serrations on both sides. Apparently it is new and improved from original that was a cheap giveaway when you bought metal detector. New one has Lifetime Warranty. Haven't used it yet, but it has same heavy feel of Lesche. Paid 31.99 or so on e-bay + 9.99 or so shipping. $40 for a very nice new digging tool.
 
No Text
 
WVRick, thanks for the pics and info.

Have you tried either one (WWMfg or Predator) in field conditions yet?
Do they use the same spec steel in the handles & blades?
That's the proof.

I carry two diggers today:
a Razor Edge Gator on my belt (it's light weight), after 2 seasons the blade has a curve to it from prying. Soft steel?
My other digger is a Predator 'Little Eagle' shovel. No issues, excellent tool.

Also, I have a digger that I bought 31 years ago from Wilcox All-Pro Tools, USA patent #211242. It has a V shaped 8 1/2" long 1/8" thick steel alloy (maybe stainless) blade. The steel was formed, blade & handle, with one piece of steel and a handle grip pressed onto the handle part. It cost me $30 back then.
This tool has dug more holes than I can count, and it will probably out-last me. It is heavy though.

My point is, if you buy the quality tools and use them. The issue of cost can be forgotten.
Just MHO.
 
Stanl said:
Have you tried either one (WWMfg or Predator) in field conditions yet?
Do they use the same spec steel in the handles & blades?
That's the proof.
Click to expand...

Hi Stanl, the Red Handle WWMfg model says: "made of 100% aircraft-quality steel" and the Predator says:"4130 Chrome-moly Virgin Steel, Aircraft Quality Heat Treated and Temper for Super Strenght." I believe both to be the same steel and both are quality tools. The point on the Predator is more rounded but that could have been the machine setup for that run. Since it is the same family and the history of the original split between the family the problems may have worked out. But in MHO and this is my opinion, the tools come off the same line and one out the front door and the other out the back door (so to speak)... When looking at them side by side, both are same in every way all but the color handle and the Predator a better finish but that may have been only that run of tools also. My only gripe, I bought two of each total 4 diggers and what I payed for the Predator's I could have got a 3rd WWMfg for .25 cents more the way it worked out. But I planed on selling the 2 WWMfg to pay for the 2 Predators, but when i got the order I seen no real difference in the tools so I'm selling the Predators to re-coup some money. Maybe at one time there was a big difference in the two tools like the 2006 picture above but now you get what I believe is the same and in a time when almost everyone is out of work I'd rather see them spend the extra bucks on something that makes a difference.

HH
 
Does Whites make these products?....thought forums where product specific.and didnt realize these two items fall under Whites products....im sure im wrong..curtis
 
Hi WVRick,
When you sell the Predator digger, what are you gonna ask for it?

I'm looking at replacing the Gator digger. It works, but I feel like I'm babying it sometimes.

Regards,

Stan
 
Hi, Curt_in_W.Mass

You're right.
Whites does not make these tools.
But, since I use Whites exclusively and I need a digging tool to dig the finds, it seems appropriate to discuss these items here.

Again JMHO.
 
Not that it has to do with the spec's of the two discussed tools, but I prefer & do own a Predator digging tool because I respect George Lesche for helping our soldiers out with his tools. You can read about it on his website. He didn't have to do that, but he did. So I will pay a little extra. Plus I think there is more quality control oversight with the Predator line, but that is strictly 'my opinion'.
 
Seven years ago, about the time of the OP, I bought my Lesche in a White's branded box, from a White's dealer. The current White's diggers are different, 2017.
 
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