Folding Shovel Anyone?

[crimson]

I've only been out detecting a few times now but I quickly learned I can't keep everything I need in my pockets and I quickly got tired of putting down and picking up my tools, pinpointer, etc everytime I stopped to dig.

This past weekend I picked up a tool pouch at Home Depot that has a shoulder strap. That will allow me to put it down on the ground when stopping to dig as opposed to a tool belt that has to be worn all the time.

Now I can put everything in there.... pinpointer, cell phone, digital camera, small flashlight, etc... There are some loops on the pouch for holding something like a hammer. I bought an Ames short shovel but after I got it home I realized that even though it's a smaller short shovel, it still would be too large to carry around with me when detecting.

I've been looking at these folding shovels. I used to have one of the army folding shovels back in the day but I see now there are many different brands and styles of these folding shovels available.

Anybody use one of these? I think one of these will be perfect and can hang from my tool pouch while I treck along swinging the coil.

The "Gerber" looks like a solid well made shovel... don't want to bend it the first time I put my foot on it to dig a hole.

[KingTotsalot]

I like the looks of the Gerber and I would use my grinding wheel to notch both sides and the edges for root cutting, much like I did my Ames digger.

[epeele]

I bought a Gerber E-tool a few weeks back and love it. The thing is virtually indestructible. It folds up nice and compact so I can pack it in a backpack and the blade cuts through tough ground and roots with no problem. I have NO problem recommending the one I bought. Don't know about others by Gerber.

http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-30-0000...9986513&sr=8-2

[Kolby72]

Go with a full scale E-Tool I have been using the same one for over 5 years and it has been through hell. It wont bend or crack. The one in the first pic has weak points on where the rivets connect the handle and the spade portion I have seen 2 of them brok after very little use. The second shovel is poorly made but it has a very useful pick on the end it would def come in handy. The last shovel I had before I bought My Gerber E-Tool and it broke the first time out after I applied light pressure to pull up a root. the screw mechanism that lets the shovel fold down binds up and when the shovel flexs and it never folded again. Hope that helps

[rayvinton]

I agree with Kolby, I have the Gerber E-Tool as well. Go with that. They can be found on amazon for around 40-50 bucks and they also have the serrated edges for cutting roots.

[crimson]

Is that the last one pictured in my post? the one with the triangle shaped handle??

[Kolby72]

This is the one I have, when I say you cant break it I mean I have used it to pry chop dig hammer and wrench things out of the ground from machin gun barrels to 105mm shells out of the ground it is unbreakable

[crimson]

Thanks guys!,,,,,,,, that's the one I'm getting, the Gerber E-Tool

I think the one at the bottom of my post is a cheap knock-off

[Kolby72]

Originally Posted by crimson

Thanks guys!,,,,,,,, that's the one I'm getting, the Gerber E-Tool

I think the one at the bottom of my post is a cheap knock-off

Yes it is lol you wont be upset with it I promise

[Frank1960]

I like that first one especially the hand grip on it. I have the tri-fold from my Army days that I carry but haven't gotten into a area to use it for detecting yet. Also going to carry it for prospecting this summer.

[Ohio Digger]

That E-Tool looks real sturdy. All the ones I've seen on the internt look poorly built and you never really know what the person providing the review actually uses it for. It's good to hear from fellow detectorists that put it to the test.

[randwool]

They are a little short for my needs. Check out the original maker of the Lesche products at: www.predatortools.com They also have the folding shovels. I settled on these for now.

[crimson]

The "Raven" looks like a very serious shovel!

[Devildog2345]

Whatever you do, do not get the cheap metal folding shovel from walmart. That thing will fall apart in your hands. The gerber ones look great. If you can get a military one they even have a canvas carrying case you can clip on your belt now.

[Surf Master]

Lesche shovels are great,they hold up,here is a pic