The Shovel Discussion Thread!

Ballenxj said:
Do you think this one might be a good one to strap on the outside of a bag, or is it too heavy?
Looks like a good tool. :)
-Bruce
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That model would be FAR too heavy and large. It comes nearly to my hip. Something more like the Relic Pro or the Hercules would be more pack-appropriate, especially if you had George slap shorter handles on 'em!
 
I use my left foot for right hand shovelling and my right foot for left hand shovelling. A good shovel should work equally well with either hand and foot. If you use a shovel all day long you really need to mix it up and do at least close to half the work with your off hand. Plus there are circumstances were you really need to work off handed. For example, digging a trench along a foundation. If you need to dig from left to right then you'll need to work left handed.
 
I honestly don't bother with the whole rubber foot pad thing. One came with my W.W. Manufacturing digging fork and I took it off. I still have it just in case, but it's unlikely that I'll ever need it.
 
allout said:
Anytime the soil gets a little wet the foot pad gets slippery. Around gardens and flower beds dealing with water and digging is common. Today I was digging in wetish ground and I hasn't rained for a couple of days. I will be adding something for slip resistance, any suggestions? Maybe something small that would bolt to the Bully's holes.
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If you just snug the foot step against the heel of your boot you'll avoid 95%+ of slip incidents. :)
 
That's one of the many reasons I always wear boots with a slight heel to them. Also an absolute must when horseback riding, as it prevents (or at least drastically lessens the chances of) your foot slipping through the stirrup during a fall and getting yourself dragged and seriously hurt.
 
Tell me about it! Though I mostly do the mucking and my lady does the riding. :D:D:D But I do jump in the saddle from time to time. Now if I can just get that 1908 Indian cavalry saber of mine mounted to our saddle...
 
piccini9 said:
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[/url] DSCN3869 by piccini9, on Flickr[/IMG]

Found this on the side of the road, badly abused, bent blade, handle dry and broken beyond hope, but I see potential.
gonna cut the blade to a small pointed shape and cut the handle, maybe leaving a little knob, will post pics as I go along.
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I know a guy who sacrificed a shovel like this. He cut the end off of it for a piece that fit in a canteen cover to use as a hand digging tool.
 
This has got to be my favorite shovels,(technically a spade) out of all the shovels that I've owned. It's got a full metal strap and a blade the slices through soil like you would not believe. It is very heavy so it is somewhat limited in it's use. I acquired it a long time ago when I owned and operated a landscaping business. I became real good friends with one of my wholesale growers and I used to help him digging trees and shrubs in heavy clay soil. All his stock was bagged and balled. No containers. I bought a new spade that just didn't work for me. He offered to trade and I've had the spade ever since. It was old back then. A good shovel or spade gets very sharp with heavy use. No belt grinder needed. I think it's an old A.M. Leonard nursery spade. The markings have long since wore off.

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Baryonyx - thanks for the pics of your shovel setups! I just wrote to them for a Big Red and a 35. Need these like 5 years ago. Thank you thank you thank you.
 
Most people are very pleased with them, but they aren't really for me. To my mind a long-handled shovel like that is better off with a well-made fiberglass handle. All-steel models seem to do best in slightly more spade-like lengths.
 
I bought an older union tools razor back round point at an antique store for 5 bucks. I'm not sure how recent it was made, they still make them now apparently but they don't look the same as this one. It seemed really well made, good steel for a shovel and the handle was original, double revited and curved toward the end to run the whole length of the collar. Anyone else ever use these?
 
G-pig said:
I bought an older union tools razor back round point at an antique store for 5 bucks. I'm not sure how recent it was made, they still make them now apparently but they don't look the same as this one. It seemed really well made, good steel for a shovel and the handle was original, double revited and curved toward the end to run the whole length of the collar. Anyone else ever use these?
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Never seen one of those ones--no!
 
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