Digging tool?

PA_Rob · Jun 26, 2013

I'm curious what everyone uses to dig their plugs? For the longest time I used a $3-$4 Ames digger that I bought at Ollies, and it finally snapped, so I decided to buy a new one. In the past 2 weeks I have gone through 4 DIFFERENT diggers now....One was a Black and Decker, Two of them were Craftsman, and I can't remember the name of the other one. But I'm just getting annoyed now, because Ollies doesn't sell the digger anymore. So I'm just curious, what kinds of diggers do you guys use? (Other than a Lesche. I'm not looking to pay that much)

Trickworm · Jun 26, 2013

I use a True Temper.............and a Lesche

mlitty · Jun 26, 2013

One Lesche is cheaper than a dozen broken tools.

I use a survival knife that I found while detecting

Unless I'm in a tot-lot, then I use a home-made pipe digger

I'm trying to get good with a screwdriver for shallow targets. Still working on it thought.

We have mostly sand here though. Packed sometimes, but still sand. If the dirt is that tough in your area, I hear that nothing beats a Lesche. They're expensive, but are they more expensive than 10 cheep diggers?

If I'm correct, you've probably already paid about what it would cost to have purchased a Lesche?

Black and Decker tool, around $16
Craftsman Tool, around $10
Craftsman Tool, around $10
Fiskars (I'm guessing) for around $8

That's roughly $44 in diggers in two weeks, the price of a Lesche. And a Lesche comes with a 5-year warranty. Here's a decent review at Garden Tool Review.

I don't own a Lesche. I've broken most of the tools you've listed, looking for a cheep replacement. The knife and pipe that I have are working for me now, but if I ever buy another digging tool, it will be a Lesche.

I hate having to quit for the day because my digger is in pieces. My time is too valuable.

SkiWhiz · Jun 26, 2013

I am using a yellow handled Dalyn Enterprise trowel that I got from White's. Wasn't very expensive and works well.

Dean Gretsch · Jun 26, 2013

I use the Garrett trowel. Works well and isn't going to break.

Dirt Lizard · Jun 27, 2013

Go to the Predator tools.com site and make your pick there.

SkiWhiz · Jun 27, 2013

Dirt Lizard said:
Go to the Predator tools.com site and make your pick there.

Predator tools does make very good tools. A couple others are Jimmy Sierra digging tools http://www.jimmysierra.com/tools_stainlessC.html and Wilcox digging tools http://www.wilcoxallpro.com/wilcox3_tools.html

007tallguy · Jun 27, 2013

i use the stainless hori-hori. it's as tough as they come, will never rust, serrated on one side, great for sawing through small roots.
they are a bit pricey ($35) but they LAST! the torture i've put this thing through! :shock:

Tbrom · Jun 27, 2013

Fiskars $8 at Walmart with a life time warranty.

DixieLandMan · Jun 27, 2013

I use a Gator tool.

GroundSweeper · Jun 27, 2013

Tbrom said:
Fiskars $8 at Walmart with a life time warranty.

I broke mine, filled out their online form with a picture and they're mailing me a new one. Meanwhile bought a second for $5 at Target, on clearance, so now I'm setup for lifetime warranty rotation!

New one is welded up better, and I figure if I keep sending them warranty claims they'll either upgrade their product, or blacklist me :lol:

GroundSweeper · Jun 27, 2013

007tallguy said:
i use the stainless hori-hori. it's as tough as they come, will never rust, serrated on one side, great for sawing through small roots.
they are a bit pricey ($35) but they LAST! the torture i've put this thing through!

I ran across one of those at home depot (online) when searching for a second fiskars. 24.99 but carbon steel blade, has a bit of a hilt which is nice.

luke3026 · Jun 27, 2013

I use an AM Leonard Soil Knife, because someone had given it to me as a gardening tool years ago. It's really strong and cuts a nice plug.
http://www.amazon.com/A-M-Leonard-Classic-Stainless-Steel/dp/B001FA6BK2

I've also seen it for sale, rebranded as a Treasure Wise 3-in-1
http://www.treasurechief.com/store/...wise-3-in-1-digging-knife-with-leather-sheath

If I ever brake (seems unlikely since it's very strong) or loose it, I'll probably get a Lesche.

Silverfishin · Jun 27, 2013

007tallguy said:
i use the stainless hori-hori. it's as tough as they come, will never rust, serrated on one side, great for sawing through small roots.
they are a bit pricey ($35) but they LAST! the torture i've put this thing through!

Hori-Hori...I been using mine for about 4 yrs and I put it through alot. Still going strong. Need to sharpen it occasionally, and I also gun tape my handle.

Silversmith45 · Jun 27, 2013

The original 3-in-1 knife was similar to the current Hori-Hori knife. probably closer to GroundSweeper's.

Unlike the current ones, it had a wooden handle with the blade the full length of the handle. I have used mine for over thirty years digging through rocks, roots concrete and who knows what else. I have even hammered it into rock hard dried clay that a pick bounced off of. I have stood on it and never once had a feeling that it might break. I have added some leather padding over the years to cut down on blisters from the pounding I give it.

I used to give them away for prizes in my old club. I have been trying to track down some of them with no luck. If it ever breaks (I'll probably lose it first) I'll replace it with a Hori-Hori knife. I tried a Lesche for a while and it didn't have the solid feeling of my old 3-in-1 knife.

ThePizzaGuy · Jun 27, 2013

mlitty said:
I use a survival knife that I found while detecting

Unless I'm in a tot-lot, then I use a home-made pipe digger

I'm trying to get good with a screwdriver for shallow targets. Still working on it thought.

We have mostly sand here though. Packed sometimes, but still sand. If the dirt is that tough in your area, I hear that nothing beats a Lesche. They're expensive, but are they more expensive than 10 cheep diggers?

If I'm correct, you've probably already paid about what it would cost to have purchased a Lesche?

Black and Decker tool, around $16
Craftsman Tool, around $10
Craftsman Tool, around $10
Fiskars (I'm guessing) for around $8

That's roughly $44 in diggers in two weeks, the price of a Lesche. And a Lesche comes with a 5-year warranty. Here's a decent review at Garden Tool Review.

I don't own a Lesche. I've broken most of the tools you've listed, looking for a cheep replacement. The knife and pipe that I have are working for me now, but if I ever buy another digging tool, it will be a Lesche.

I hate having to quit for the day because my digger is in pieces. My time is too valuable.

You know what I love about those survival kits? They have those key wrings and the wire that attaches to both for choking things. That's exactly what I need. I might need to choke out a bear one day. :cool:

mlitty · Jun 28, 2013

ThePizzaGuy said:
You know what I love about those survival kits? They have those key wrings and the wire that attaches to both for choking things. That's exactly what I need. I might need to choke out a bear one day.

It's a wire saw, not a garrote. I've never needed it, but I could see its usefulness in very specific situations. Because of the thin wire, it sometimes cuts faster than the back of the knife.

and I like the idea of digging with a tool I found with the detector. :grin:

MetalheadHorror · Jun 28, 2013

just invest in a lesche or garrett edge, neither will break and you will save money in the long run.

Surf Master · Jun 28, 2013

Not a hand digger

31 inch Sampson T serrated Lesche , 37 yr's of land hunting, know better, Earl

mlitty · Jun 29, 2013

DIY digger idea

Thinking about making my next digger from a flat bar, if the one I have ever breaks.

I know, Lesche is great, but I'm a DIY guy. It's in me.

Digging tool?

PA_Rob

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Dean Gretsch

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