Shovel choice?

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I've decided to treat myself to a new shovel to replace my cheap, wobbly imitation-surplus entrenching tool. I see Predator/Lesche makes three basic head styles: pointy and narrow, long and curved (with root teeth) and wide and flat (much like my current entrenching shovel). I'm leaning torwards the longer "T" handle, and I see good attributes for all three head shapes. I'm having trouble deciding between the narrow multi-beveled head and the long curved with teeth.

Most of my relic type detecting is in wooded lots near old walls and foundations. No Civil War battles up here, though Sullivan's troops did have some actions here in 1779 (not that I can prove metal-wise, but I am the eternal optimist). The narrow head ("Titan") seems like it would work well in tighter spots around rocks and roots, but will move less dirt; and also do double service where I use a trowl for some deeper hits, especially in hard packed dirt (pathways & fields). The curved & deeper ("Mr. T") will lift a larger plug and move more earth, saw roots and double as an emergency snow & mud stranded shovel in the car (not a bad feature hereabouts).

May I have your thoughts, comments, suggestions please?

 

[SoArk]

Charlie,

I use a Lesche Shovel.... have been using it for about a year and a half now. I think it's the one you call the curved one with the root saw teeth. Except mine has the "D" handle. The "T" handle would be just as good. The shovel blade itself is about 12 inches. There are saw teeth on one side and a beveled edge on the other. It is sharp enough on its digging edge that I can stomp thru roots up to an inch and a half or larger. (But I weigh about 245).... can stomp thru larger roots with more effort. I also like it because it will remove a deep round core of earth to lay out on the ground.... usually the relic is within that 12 inches. I used to tear shovels up in a year of hunting... I really abused them.... but this is one tough shovel.

Ask David at Dixie about them (David Keith).... is where I got mine.

Take care,

Kim