The Shovel Discussion Thread!

While we're grave digging, anyone been using their digging tools lately? I processed three of our meat rabbits last weekend and used my Predator Tools "Big Red" diamond point do cut a plug out of the manure pile to dump the remains into.
 
Turning old shovels into works of art:

cal-lane_15-524x393.jpg


Made by artist Cal Lane, using a plasma torch.

524x350xcal-lane_05-524x350.jpg.pagespeed.ic.3NV5N2fJTA.jpg

from http://todayinart.com/2010/01/04/delicate-steel-sculptures-by-cal-lane/
 
Steve Tall said:
Turning old shovels into works of art:
Made by artist Cal Lane, using a plasma torch.

524x350xcal-lane_05-524x350.jpg.pagespeed.ic.3NV5N2fJTA.jpg
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That's cool. She's got mad skills with the plasma torch. If her art ever stops selling she's got a great career waiting for he in a fab shop somewhere.
 
I was in New York (where my mom moved during the course of this thread) a few weekends ago and used her Little Eagle (named "Sherman") to level out some dirt in her flower bed for stepping stones. The shovel was much lighter than I had thought it would be.
 
Pullrich. It is a European style entrenching tool, and that form was used by many countries. I live in an area that when you dig into the ground, about half of what comes out of a hole is rocks and stones. I recently had to put in a new post for our mail box and went down to Home Depot and bought a Post Hole Digger. A complete fiasco, did not get a single bit of dirt out of the ground with that PHD, just too many rocks. I ended up with a small pick axe, a Finnish entrenching tool made by Bilnas (which I bought to go with my Bilnas Finnish woodsman axe) , which looks a lot like yours and finally a small folding head shovel, that looks like a US M1951 E tool, to dig the hole. Some years back I was going to do an article on E tools so went down into our woods and over a few days dug foxholes with each E tool. I would dig for 10 minutes, take a photo, 10 more minutes, a photo and ten more minutes (30 minutes total) and the final photos, and measure how deep the foxhole was. I tested a M1951 US E tool (head folds and has a pick) a Glock E tool, Cold Steel, and a Fiskars NATO E tool. The M1951 was at least 12 inches deeper at the end, then the second place finisher, which was the Fiskars, and the Glock and Cold Steel were way behind. The Glock came apart as I was swinging (where the handle extends) but I was able to get it back together (twice) but thought an infantry man digging in under fire would have lost it when his E tool came apart. The M1951's pick and shovel at right angles to the handle just could not be beat. Dig with the pick, rotate the handle and clean out with the shovel. The Fiskars, with the shovel head at right angle to the handle worked well, but not as well as the pick. John
 
FoxholeAtheist said:
I was in New York (where my mom moved during the course of this thread) a few weekends ago and used her Little Eagle (named "Sherman") to level out some dirt in her flower bed for stepping stones. The shovel was much lighter than I had thought it would be.
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I still hope to pick up a Hercules at some point here. They're definitely heavier than a wood-handled one would be, but they're not bad either! Predator is top notch stuff!
 
John A. Larsen said:
Pullrich. It is a European style entrenching tool, and that form was used by many countries.
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Thanks for the ID, John. Nice to read about your digger tool experiment, too. I guess it makes sense that a pick would be of great help.
I think I'll work on restoring this old entrenching tool. :thumbup:
 
As long as we're bringing back old threads, do folks like to keep a shovel in the trunk for emergencies?
 
In the summer, I always keep basic tools (shovel included) in my truck bed. In the winter, I can't for fear of some kid smashing my windows, but I do fit a folding military shovel AND a kids snow shovel in my tool box. Snow shovel is important in the winter, last year a kid had frostbite on his hands from digging his car out multiple times. Snow was high enough he was plowing his way through till he got stuck.
 
I used to keep a square-point gardening spade in my trunk until it got appropriated for cleaning the chicken coop. I need to get a new one.
 
I've some old E-tool in the truck right now, it's quite heavy for it's size, but never had to use it. It needs some TLC, and a better edge, it's blunt all around.

I ordered a Predator Hercules on Wednesday, and it should be shipping on Thursday. I've been checking their site here and there, it's been out of stock when I've visited. I'll take some pics when it get here.
 
Ravaillac said:
It's the Linnemann entrenching tool pattern. It's "a classic" that has been used in many European country in the XXth century.
http://m55q.blogspot.fr/2010/04/linnemann-entrenching-tool-den.html
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Cool, thanks for the info!

Now I'm really motivated to restore this thing. Hope to be able to see unit marking and the trademark stamp.
I'll probably treat the handle with linseed oil, and after cleaning the head give it a coat of durable tool paint.
Appreciate any recs on a good paint for the head.
 
I just use a few coats of high-impact clear lacquer myself. I wouldn't overthink it too much. Just get a spray paint advertised as being for outdoors use or "impact-tough" and you'll be good.
 
Square_peg said:
I keep a folding army shovel/pick in my truck along with a folding saw, a hatchet and a machete.
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What kind of saw do you keep? I was thinking lately that a shovel, saw, and axe would be nice to keep around for emergencies. At present, FortyTwoBlades has me sold on a Trailblazer bucksaw.
 
I really like my Trailblazer. Perfect for the car. :)

As far as vehicle shovels go I'm looking into the Bully Tools "trunk shovel." Looks like a good piece of kit.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I really like my Trailblazer. Perfect for the car. :)

As far as vehicle shovels go I'm looking into the Bully Tools "trunk shovel." Looks like a good piece of kit.
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That's exactly the shovel I had in mind, too. I remember seeing a site based out of upstate NY that sells them for about $16. This discussion also reminds me of a guy who periodically comes into my place of work . He bears a striking resemblance to William H. Macy.
 
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