Is there an advantage to a short shovel?

[PAdogman]

Plunder? Corpses?
Hey, man, I just wanted to know if it was easier to dig through rocky soil kneeling and working a short shovel rather than standing and stepping on a longer one

I don't think my Garrett 400 can go that deep anyway

 

[Ken Clad]

easier to dig through rocky soil kneeling and working a short shovel rather than standing and stepping on a longer one

When I was young and in shape working FD/EMS, either method would have been just fine. Now that I'm old, fat and retired using my weight with a long handled shovel seems more appropriate. I guess that begs the question, what hurts the most (least)?... knees, back, shoulders, other? Go from there.

 

[PAdogman]

When I was young and in shape working FD/EMS, either method would have been just fine. Now that I'm old, fat and retired using my weight with a long handled shovel seems more appropriate. I guess that begs the question, what hurts the most (least)?... knees, back, shoulders, other? Go from there.

I'll find out soon enough

 

[stetam]

Hey PAdogman I have an 18" Lesche I only used a couple times and I believe a holster also. $50 shipped if you want it.

Steve

 

[PAdogman]

Thanks for the offer, Steve.
I already ordered the Predator.

 

[Rasyfromwayupnorth]

I prefer a 36" shovel, plus a small digger (I am a short guy already). The shorter the shovel the more work left for your arms and back, and kneeling down in muddy terrain can be quite messy. Just watch the videos of guys digging deep targets with short shovels, and notice how much they have to strain their backs.

 

[PAdogman]

Yeah, I've been watching a lot of "Not Thursday" and he certainly looks like he is giving his all when he digs. But it's not like I could push a shovel into the soil with my foot either.

We'll see how it works out. It is shipping today.

 

[bottlecap4u]

Whether in public spaces, private permissions and bushwacking, I'm geared up the same, velcro kneepads, trowel, 31-inch shovel allows me to swing in open spaces or brushy areas and if I encounter rocks can adapt as well. My buddy uses the same except he likes to bring a padded mat instead of kneepads.

 

[Martin_V3i]

Whether in public spaces, private permissions and bushwacking, I'm geared up the same, velcro kneepads, trowel, 31-inch shovel allows me to swing in open spaces or brushy areas and if I encounter rocks can adapt as well. My buddy uses the same except he likes to bring a padded mat instead of kneepads.

I have never used knee pads in my 14 years of detecting, but I haven't been down and actually on the ground on my knees but just a few times. My 31" shovel get the target out where my handheld pin pointer reads it then my find is quickly in my pouch and the plug is reinserted with my feet. No fuss, not muss and right off to the next signal!

I might have gotten down on my knees more, back when I used a hand digger, like when I was in someones well kept private yard. I hardly hunted that type of permission but a handful of times.

I really do like the 31" Sampson, and the 18" shovel. It would be a PITA to have to use a hand digger again.

 

[Cherry Picker]

I've just never felt comfortable using a shovel in public. I had a 28" Root Slayer that worked great, but I still found myself having to get down on all fours to recover my target. My COPD just doesn't let me bend over for very long so I get on my knees. Yesterday made me want to start using kneepads. I knelt right in a sticker patch and spent a good amount of time pulling stickers and pieces from my knees and fingers.

 

[John Madill]

Reminds me of Larry the Cable Guy saying someone was " madder than a midget with a yoyo!'.

 

[BeardedRelicHunter]

I've got the 18" shovel just like Not Thursday and love it , its a great work out for upper body but I ordered the 36" one as well which I use most of the time for perfect plugs and the 18" is great for backpacking in the woods to sites and have a machete to bushwack through thick stuff . I also now use knee pads after kneeling on rocks and pulling other items from my knees ..my body is in bad enough shape from all my working life .

 

[Martin_V3i]

I've got the 18" shovel just like Not Thursday and love it , its a great work out for upper body but I ordered the 36" one as well which I use most of the time for perfect plugs and the 18" is great for backpacking in the woods to sites and have a machete to bushwack through thick stuff . I also now use knee pads after kneeling on rocks and pulling other items from my knees ..my body is in bad enough shape from all my working life .

The Sampson 31" is my favorite. I've owned most everything and still have most of them all. Ground Sharks were my least favs.