Hello, was just wondering what different type of tools peolpe use for digging up coins etc, smaall shovels and a screwdriver seem ok, just wanted to know what peolple are using out there.

A screwdrive and probe are fine for shallow coins (2" or less). Beyond that, it's hard to beat a Lesche.

For relic hunting in non-sodded areas (woods, demos,...) a small pick is handy.

CAT 245...

Oh, while metal detecting... Sierra Dig-it, brass rod probe, and a bulb planting plugger supplanted last week with the Plug Buddy from Au4Greg. I plugged about 100+ feet with that sucker this weekend and it hardly shows a nick. The depth rocks too. My pinpointer bites for a hole that narrow though, I need a Sunray like an egg eating sedentary man needs a quad bypass...

Leche type digger is great for parks , a metal sand scoop with a handle for soft sand like at the beach or in tot lots..if you do alot of beach type hunting then a knee high scoop would be better unless you don't mind working that back of yours....
a shovel/OR Pick with a scraping end works for me in the open field though I am getting a ground shark (leche type digging tool) for the open field - the ground shark doubles up as a walking stick too - however if your in an area and using a ground shark - you will want to be careful of the size of hole and leave no tracks - the ground shark or a sharp pick helps break through very tough ground :rolleyes:


screwdriver for very shallow depths - about 1 inch...... Jimmy Sierra sells a coin popper (resembles a screwdriver)

The Hori Hori Knife is a Japanese Gardening tool that is extremely versatile. Made from Black Carbon Steel

HORI HORI KNIFE
http://shop.horticultureguy.com/index.php?action=item&id=341

Jerry

I would go with the Lesche,it is one tough digger.HH,Tom

I really like my Jimmy Sierra digger--it's like a large knife with a serrated edge. A bit different from the Lesche in that it doesn't have the offset blade, which is used to pop up a plug. However, I'm on my second Jimmy Sierra piece, and I really enjoy them. They cut like nobody's business and do an all-around great job. Only very occasionally do I need something more heavy duty like a small shovel.

HH,

Dan

Don't do what I did . I bought one of those crummy "gator" diggers from Kellyco It has a lifetime guarantee. I'm on my second one (they replaced the first) .The first one kept bending after I would make a plug and try to use it to pry the plug out. It got metal fatigue to the point I snapped it like a twig with my hands. They told me I was using it in too hard a ground. Man, I'm a couple of days away from the BIG 6O I CAN"T EVEN HANDLE HARD GROUND!! I"ve now been using it in wet or soft moist ground and this second one is doing the same thing. When it goes I'll cut my losses and run, Two are enough for one lifetime. For the deeper stuff I,m now back to using a (Mike Walding plugger) that I bought from him in the 90's a mite heavy but darn good!! That Plugger and a towel youl'd never know I was there. ;)

If you ever get tired of that walding digger let me know.

Mike

A Lesche for parks. A long handled scoop for dry beach sand. A plastic trowell for wet sand. And, i'm looking for a lightweight spade type tool for fields and woods.


EC

I BOUGHT and use a Gator digger by KellyCo. It works fine and I have not bent this particular one out of shape as you had yours bent. I have used it at the "lot" certain guys have been frequenting where hard ground seems to be the norm. The digger works fine although a shovel or ground shark is probably better for this hard ground. The lesche digger that came with my DFX which I bought from KellyCo - now that was real sturdy digging knife.

M. Simon, Sorry, I won't be getting tired of that baby !! Check with Mike through The Bay Area Searchers in San Bruno (you never know) You might get lucky.H.H. ;) Just Looking, I'm wondering if there is more than 1 model of that Gator Digger ?mine has the offset blade, orange plastic grip is kind of a Blue-Grey color. It appears to be pot metal .It came with an orange sheaf . If yours is the same, that might mean I'm one of those guys who can screw anything up. :o You spoke of your Lesche Kindly but in the past tense(care to talk about it?). I've heard nothing but good about the Lesche .I'll probably end up getting one of those . Thanks for the input. H.H. :)

I think you got the same one I did - it was their anniversary edition. The knife had an orange grip and offset handle. I like the first Lesche which was supplied by Kellyco. The first lesche didnt have an offset handle like the one Kellyco currently offers. The one thing I noticed about this new one is sometimes it is difficult to turn the knife after inserting in to the ground. I will report back after I start using the knife more frequently. I just bought this Lesche and used it for a few days. (no problems yet)


KellyCo does offer different models of the Gator knifes. The one I use costs 35 dollars.

Thanks, Just looking i'll be watching for your post.I used that "Gator" again yesterday and it seems once it bends a few times it tends to weaken at a faster rate. When I got mine there was no mention of an anniversary edition . You may have lucked out and got a better made one .H.H. :)

Hmmm did you pay about 35 dollars for it? kellyco claims the one I got on sale is an anniversary edition... mine dont have bluish like color handle.. its all orange.

It's possible I might have lucked out.... only time will tell... B)

Just Looking, The way I described it wasn't quite clear . The handle is all orange and the metal is bluish- grey. I seem to remember around $29 or $30. I think you got the better deal. I'll be more careful how I spend my money next time and actually see one in use before I dish out the bucks. As Judge Joe Brown quotes; Caveat Emptor "let the buyer beware". H.H. :(

I use an "Old Hickory" kitchen butcher knife with a 7 1/2" blade. For the midwest soil I find it works best. Not worth a hoot in sand or gravel tho. Sand scoops and screwdrivers work best there.

What I like about the Old Hickory knives is the durability and portability. When I first started detecting in 1975 I went through about 6 different digging tools in the first 6 months. I had a couple of the knives break in half while I was digging! This knife fits well in my back pocket and is very handy to get to. One of the keys to finding a lot of coins is to get your digging down to only a few seconds. If your aren't unpacking and fumbling with the digging tool you can really make better use of your time.

The Old Hickory" knives have a solid blade made from the right temper steel apparently that withstand the abuse. I think the fact that the blade goes all the way through the handle is a major plus as well.

If you want to hunt for one on Ebay I have a link on my website with a picture that will direct you to them.

Here's the link:

http://www.coinhunting.net/diggingtools.shtml

Welcome aboard ,Keith . Thanks for the input . H.H. :D

The Gator Digger is a HYPED sub-standard pot metal, porous and does NOT hold up, kind of like in the same class as a Home Depot cultivation tool. Kellyco is the only one that carries the 'Gator' because none of the other 2000 plus dealers coast to coast would. Its as bad as their Eagle Headphones, just ask Mark the Locksmith who learned the hard way but has come over from the dark side into the light.

Stick to Professional Quality Tools.

1. Wilcox Stainless 300 or 250
2. Lesche (Military Grade Steel)
3. Jimmy Sierra Plug Popper
4. Dig-R-It
5. Target Buddy Plugger

Regarding Mike Walding.... Mike is a Do It Himself Type of Guy.... a professional installer of Appliances and a Jack of All Trades and a Master of Many except his Wife, Joy, who in recent years has become the true Master.

In spite of the fact that he could buy his tools from me, Mike who is talented and creative Loves to MAKE his own and they are Heavy Duty, actually in some cases WAY TOO HEAVY for the average Male frame. I call his Home Made Plugger the San Bruno Pit Bull and its so Heavy that Mike puts it on a leash and drags it along. I believe it has a BITE of about 5".... way to much for the average detectorist who can easily WRENCH your Shoulder/Neck muscles trying to PUSH, TWIST and PLUG that amount of hard packed soil.

There isn't too much comparison when it comes to Mike ("the machine"..or "El Machino") and everyone else.

The guy might as well be draggind around a safe. He wouldn't know the difference anyway. Friggin' hulk-man.

You should see the killer sifter he fabricated.
The things that have come out of Mike's laboratory are amazing.
He builds'em to last a lifetime. Weight doesn't even factor into El Machino's plans.

He's da man.


Bill

Always behind schedule and a dollar short...


I saw a homemade gizmo recently that caught my eyes but I did not bookmark it....it was calking machine (yes, you read it right) that had the end cut into teeth shaped ends...very shark looking like....tthe guy swore by it.

I think that device would put the fear of G into ANY coins underground and would make it jump out of the ground in 15 seconds flat....

Lesche Digging Tool, a treasure scoop, & a 8" probe.