Root Assassin shovel

GoGoGopher · Sep 22, 2019

Root Assassin shovels are said to be sold at LOWES...I figured it would be a POS as most LOWES tools are. I ordered one through AMAZON Prime...HOLY SHIET!!! This thing is HEAVY, welded like a tank, and SHARP...If you swung this thing at someone, body parts are going to fly... Seeing as it is heavy, I am only going to use it in the woods...I am thrilled with the quality, but I think I am going to hurt myself with this thing.

HH,

Foragist · Sep 22, 2019

Sounds perfect for digging in the woods. Lots of roots there.
Thanks for the initial assessment. Could you please update this post with a follow up? Give it a few good tryouts. Pay attention to pros and cons, and give us an experienced review. Some in-situ pics would be nice too.

bowwinkles · Sep 22, 2019

found this: https://youtu.be/Z1OGoxcD-tE

pjcd · Sep 22, 2019

bowwinkles said:
found this: https://youtu.be/Z1OGoxcD-tE

I'm sure its a decent enough shovel for the price, but that video is quit amusing. No way would I use that thing for most of what they showed, reminds me of the primitive Pete movies they showed us in shop glass :lol:

BTW, I get it, they're just trying to show how versatile it is, but they should have stuck with what it does best.

GKL · Sep 22, 2019

Just checked the Amazon page, it does have a good customer review rating, as of right now it has 4.2 out of 5 stars from 1,012 customer reviews.

Also as of now there are 72 questions people have asked about it.

Even has a slightly lower price than Lowes as of right now

ROOT ASSASSIN 48" Garden Shovel/Saw - The Original & Best Award Winning Combo Gardening Spade Tool, Yard, Root, Stump, Tree Removal, Landscaping, Trimming Specialized Digging

https://www.amazon.com/Root-Assassin-Shovel-Winning-Shovels/dp/B018WLVSU4

Also on the above page it includes: "We include a lifetime replacement guarantee."

I used the search feature to find questions people asked with the word plug in it and there were favorable responses.

bowwinkles · Sep 22, 2019

here is the company web site with several videos: https://rootassassintools.com/produ...MI-Z2Jvdvk5AIVgZ6zCh2JgA73EAQYBCABEgLrSfD_BwE

Foragist · Sep 22, 2019

GoGoGopher said:
Root Assassin shovels are said to be sold at LOWES...I figured it would be a POS as most LOWES tools are. I ordered one through AMAZON Prime...HOLY SHIET!!! This thing is HEAVY, welded like a tank, and SHARP...If you swung this thing at someone, body parts are going to fly... Seeing as it is heavy, I am only going to use it in the woods...I am thrilled with the quality, but I think I am going to hurt myself with this thing.

HH,

GKL said:
Just checked the Amazon page, it does have a good customer review rating, as of right now it has 4.2 out of 5 stars from 1,012 customer reviews.

Also as of now there are 72 questions people have asked about it.

Even has a slightly lower price than Lowes as of right now

ROOT ASSASSIN 48" Garden Shovel/Saw - The Original & Best Award Winning Combo Gardening Spade Tool, Yard, Root, Stump, Tree Removal, Landscaping, Trimming Specialized Digging

https://www.amazon.com/Root-Assassin-Shovel-Winning-Shovels/dp/B018WLVSU4

Also on the above page it includes: "We include a lifetime replacement guarantee."

I used the search feature to find questions people asked with the word plug in it and there were favorable responses.

bowwinkles said:
here is the company web site with several videos: https://rootassassintools.com/produ...MI-Z2Jvdvk5AIVgZ6zCh2JgA73EAQYBCABEgLrSfD_BwE

I'm liking the 32" Mini. Thirty three bucks and change ain't bad for that.

JOFO17 · Sep 23, 2019

I use mine everyplace but the beach and public parks. Goes through dirt like butter and cuts roots easily.Not to mention an excellent self defense weapon if need be.

SoOregonMd · Sep 23, 2019

I use the Nomad root slayer shovel

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073X9NHXG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

LOVE this shovel

Stiffwrists · Sep 23, 2019

Looks like a good shovel. I wonder how heavy it is?

GoGoGopher · Sep 23, 2019

Root Assassin Shovel

It is on the heavy side. heavy materials. The only concern I have is that the tines are VERY sharp when new... You must be careful not to whack your legs, arms, or shoulders if you carry it over your shoulder..... Otherwise, I will try to get some pics and vids when I use it.

HH,

jimther · Sep 23, 2019

SoOregonMd said:
I use the Nomad root slayer shovel

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073X9NHXG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

LOVE this shovel

Was just reading the reviews that mention "Metal Detecting" for this one and though many are positive, a 1-star review showed a photo of how his handle broke after the third time using it.

Jim

Foragist · Sep 23, 2019

GoGoGopher said:
It is on the heavy side. heavy materials. The only concern I have is that the tines are VERY sharp when new... You must be careful not to whack your legs, arms, or shoulders if you carry it over your shoulder..... Otherwise, I will try to get some pics and vids when I use it.

HH,

Did you get the full size one?
I was just reading some of the reviews, and some that used it for detecting found that the head/blade part is not strong enough. It flexes, and even bent and broke in a few cases.
They all say they're great for digging and sawing roots, but not so much for prying. I consider prying strength a key feature in a detecting digger.

jimther · Sep 23, 2019

GoGoGopher said:
Root Assassin shovels are said to be sold at LOWES...I figured it would be a POS as most LOWES tools are. I ordered one through AMAZON Prime...HOLY SHIET!!! This thing is HEAVY, welded like a tank, and SHARP...If you swung this thing at someone, body parts are going to fly... Seeing as it is heavy, I am only going to use it in the woods...I am thrilled with the quality, but I think I am going to hurt myself with this thing.

HH,

Do you know (from the Owner's manual) if the teeth can be re-sharpened to their original angle and sharpness by the user, or does it it take specialized sharpening tools or skill to do this?

Jim

jimther · Sep 23, 2019

Regarding the "Root Slayer" competition, I see a few models on Amazon.com, but there were no specs on overall length, etc. They are from Radius Garden. Their web site is https://radiusgarden.com/

Here are their models, with Amazon.com prices, weight, and overall lengths. There's quite a difference in the blade lengths/widths among these models too, so pay attention to that.

Root Slayer Perennial Shovel - $34.99 - 3lbs, 3 oz - 44" https://radiusgarden.com/collections/root-slayer/products/root-slayer-perennial-shovel

Root Slayer Shovel, (Red) - $49.99 - 5 lbs., 8 oz. - 44.5" https://radiusgarden.com/collections/root-slayer/products/root-slayer

Root Slayer Nomad - $39.99 - 2lbs, 7 oz. - 39" https://radiusgarden.com/collections/root-slayer/products/root-slayer-nomad

Root Slayer Mini-Digger - $29.99 - 2 lbs., 12 oz. - 29" https://radiusgarden.com/collections/root-slayer/products/root-slayer-mini-digger

I like the idea of the round handle on the first two, versus the one on the Nomad, but the Nomad has the weight advantage. I need to replace the heavy Lesche digger I lost last year and may go for one of these.

Jim

SoOregonMd · Sep 23, 2019

jimther said:
Was just reading the reviews that mention "Metal Detecting" for this one and though many are positive, a 1-star review showed a photo of how his handle broke after the third time using it.

Jim

Mine seems indestructible and Love the weight..

I have no clue how you could break the handle off the nomad.

Surf Master · Sep 23, 2019

I like These

Piranha 35s https://www.predatortools.com/ look at the stats on material used 5 star Here is a video on the Piranha 35 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oAxKPwIX-Q

Chipk · Sep 25, 2019

When the Assassin first came out I bought one. They talked about it for metal detecting and I advised them it was too big and heavy and they claimed they were coming out with a “Junior” version for MDing. I bought one when they came out and it’s like a sub par Lesche.

It’s an ok digger but I don’t trust it for prying. The blade is probably weaker

ChrisnAmanda1 · Oct 1, 2019

I have the "Root Slayer" . Lightweight, sharp and pointed pretty much perfectly. Even makes small plugs so you're not digging craters. I'll have to look into the lowes one tho, there's some areas out here that require a little more umph... lol

fano169 · Oct 1, 2019

Have one , the only thing I don’t like on it is the handle

Root Assassin shovel

GoGoGopher

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bowwinkles

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pjcd

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bowwinkles

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Stiffwrists

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GoGoGopher

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