The Shovel Discussion Thread!

Yeah most of Predator's shovels are geared towards relic hunters. I was wondering more about your thoughts on the shape of the head relative to that of the "rhino" tool you described.
 
I don't know... I think for my puposes it would be less effective with that point, even though it's not as pronounced as a normal shovelhead. I like the proportions to be a little wider and not as deep as that looks.
 
I ask mostly on account of that being one of the only things on the production market that's of a similar concept. :)
 
I just checked out some of the sponsors on predatortools. Only one sells a few shovels. Including the hand trowel http://bigboyshobbies.net/shop/lesche-hand-digger-with-sheath/
It's a good price but if I am buying one, I am buying the one with the cushioned black grip and hollow handle. But I can't find predator tools anywhere outside of their site. Maybe some metal detecting/relic hunting stores sell them but I haven't found any. To bad too.
They also have this aluminum (all aluminum or just the handle?) one that would be great if it were shorter length for back packing. I thought I would post it up since you guys are asking about aluminum shovels.
sampson+t-handle.jpg
 
DrivebyTrucker said:
I just checked out some of the sponsors on predatortools. Only one sells a few shovels. Including the hand trowel http://bigboyshobbies.net/shop/lesche-hand-digger-with-sheath/
It's a good price but if I am buying one, I am buying the one with the cushioned black grip and hollow handle. But I can't find predator tools anywhere outside of their site. Maybe some metal detecting/relic hunting stores sell them but I haven't found any. To bad too.
They also have this all aluminum one that would be great if it were shorter length for back packing. I thought I would post it up since you guys are asking about aluminum shovels.
sampson+t-handle.jpg
Click to expand...

Predator doesn't do wholesale at all--otherwise I'd be carrying some in my shop! Direct sales only at this time as they're made in limited quantities with lots of individual attention.

Predator Tools is a family offshoot from WW Manufacturing, which markets its whole-steel digging tools under the "King of Spades" name. I have a WW Mfg. digging fork and it's constructed very similarly to my Predator "Big Red" shovel, and while both are of very high quality the Predator is the clear winner in overal quality. Most notably, they tend to have better reinforcement of the neck of the shovel where it joins with the blade.

If you want any changes made to their models, within reason, then George is happy to oblige for a small additional fee. I had him add serrations to one side of my "Big Red" and it only cost an extra $10. I know of one fellow who had a shorter handle put on a Raven model, and I suspect he would be able to go in the opposite direction as well. :):thumbup:
 
Thank you 42. I think I just got a little closer to order one. The question is which one for ..............zombies? :eek:
What would you take for bush craft. Not that anyone would really need one. We don't really need knives on us everyday either. People hike trails and camp for days and weeks at a time without even a pocket knife. I mean something that you would take along for fun. Maybe dig a shelter for a change instead of building one with sticks. Use it to saw and chop wood. Etc. This new one looks cool:

defaul10.jpg


Then again, perhaps the folding shovel. But with some modifications to make it more useful in the bush.

45AB.jpg


What do you guys think?
 
Definitely the new one for zombies. :D

That said, for bushcraft I think either the Hercules or the Relic Pro would do very nicely, especially if you requested modified versions. I'd shorten either of them and put a D handle on the Relic Pro. I'd say make the handle about the same length as the distance between your elbow and your knuckles. If adding a D handle that measurement would be to the point of attachment of the D rather than to the end of the handle.
 
Yeah--once you get it sharpened up it'll be your new best pal! The welds aren't anything to write home about, but they're a lot better than what you often see on imports and a lot sturdier than the tool even technically needs. It's a pleasure to use--I was literally just out doing soil examination of some of the "problem" areas of the pasture to see if I could identify anything of note regarding the especially poor drainage.
 
today i ordered two old german military surplus folding trench shovels with the pick... got primarily for the vehicles/snowmobiles...
im planning on 'restoring' them... i just like the old wooden handle... it come down to between the austrian or german...
i like the pick on the german, it should come in handy around here in the winter, busting thru ice and such...
i'll post before and after pics once i get them ready...

what do you fellows think about them? anyone here have any experience with them?
thoughts, good and bad would be appriciated...
thanks...
 
I haven't used the old German folding shovel but the old US army shovels are built tough. The old West German army shovels appear to be similarly built. Let us know how you like it.
 
bearhunter said:
what do you fellows think about them? anyone here have any experience with them?
thoughts, good and bad would be appriciated...
thanks...
Click to expand...
I have the German one as well. I bought it many years ago in a military surplus store. At the time, I asked the owner of the store which one he thought was better. He recommended the German one. It's just built better, more robust, & easier to work with. I used it for the 4x4, and after owning it for a while, I have to agree it is better. :)
-Bruce
 
The edge that I ground on my rice shovel is convex as it was done on a slack belt grinder. :) Even with stopping just shy of a true sharpened edge I do have one small spot where the edge dinged a little from a hard impact with a rock. That spot had been brought just a little thinner than the rest and it's the only spot that suffered any damage, though minimal, so I think I have it dialed in just right. Sinks easily into the rock-laden hard clay soil but doesn't deform when I have to chop into those rocks with the nose.
 
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