Big Treble
Forum Supporter
So this Raptor 31c definitely has my interest, but all the advantages I see might get negated due to my shoulders and watching guys work it into the ground. But man do people seem to love them.
So along came Pam Lesche and she designed this shovel. So I'm comparing it to my old standby, my Sampson 31. Now WW manufacturing made the Sampson 31 and also makes the standard Lesche Digger many use. As I understand George and Pam split off and created Predator Tools which makes the beloved Raptor 31c and many others.
In a nutshell this Ladybug Shovel is definitely a winner, while I haven't dug with it yet, look how well the neck is beefed up. I have bent the neck on my Sampson as many have either prying or I frozen ground.
The with is the same on both blades, one wide point is just leading and the other is trailing. The Ladybug has a 1" wider and longer blade than the Raptor and an inch longer than the Sampson
The stem connecting the shovel to the handle is about 1/16 wider than the Sampson and has a weld along the spine for strength. While I could be wrong I don't think these are two different halves. There is also much more material connecting the neck to the blade, which can no doubt make it stronger. Wider spot for your foot is also a huge plus.
While I loved my Sampson, I'm thinking the Ladybug is the clear winner.
So along came Pam Lesche and she designed this shovel. So I'm comparing it to my old standby, my Sampson 31. Now WW manufacturing made the Sampson 31 and also makes the standard Lesche Digger many use. As I understand George and Pam split off and created Predator Tools which makes the beloved Raptor 31c and many others.
In a nutshell this Ladybug Shovel is definitely a winner, while I haven't dug with it yet, look how well the neck is beefed up. I have bent the neck on my Sampson as many have either prying or I frozen ground.
The with is the same on both blades, one wide point is just leading and the other is trailing. The Ladybug has a 1" wider and longer blade than the Raptor and an inch longer than the Sampson
The stem connecting the shovel to the handle is about 1/16 wider than the Sampson and has a weld along the spine for strength. While I could be wrong I don't think these are two different halves. There is also much more material connecting the neck to the blade, which can no doubt make it stronger. Wider spot for your foot is also a huge plus.
While I loved my Sampson, I'm thinking the Ladybug is the clear winner.
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Oh, and thanks for taking those side by side comparison pics!
