The Shovel Discussion Thread!

[FortyTwoBlades]

That's a pretty modern shovel head. The handle appears to be older, and repurposed from some other tool. Possibly from an old wooden snow shovel that had busted.

 

[Square_peg]

Looks like an aftermarket (wrong) handle was put on a shovel that was factory made. Hard to say what the handle went with originally. Split/bent wood handles like that were made throughout the 20th century. I believe there is still a maker in the UK.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

An example of the type of antique wooden snow shovel I'm talking about. That LONG kind of Y-split is pretty uncommon except on these, and the square shape of the handle is a further indicator. That doesn't mean it couldn't have been from some other tool, but it strikes me as being the most likely place the handle originally came from.

 

[Bob1967]

That's a pretty modern shovel head. The handle appears to be older, and repurposed from some other tool. Possibly from an old wooden snow shovel that had busted.

Thanks!

An example of the type of antique wooden snow shovel I'm talking about. That LONG kind of Y-split is pretty uncommon except on these, and the square shape of the handle is a further indicator. That doesn't mean it couldn't have been from some other tool, but it strikes me as being the most likely place the handle originally came from.

Thanks for all the input!

 

[Bob1967]

Thanks for the info!

 

[gsx-rboy750]

Working on a medium titanium shovel.design
About 26inches overall. 11oz.

 

[Square_peg]

I think these are excellent! Grand idea.

Have you seen the 'Deuce of Spades' shovel?
http://thetentlab.com/Deuce/DeuceofSpadespage.html

 

[gsx-rboy750]

I think these are excellent! Grand idea.

Have you seen the 'Deuce of Spades' shovel?
http://thetentlab.com/Deuce/DeuceofSpadespage.html

Good for a shallow poop hole but not too good for work.

 

[droppoint1]

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[Ballenxj]

Here's some interesting shovels and an aerator I got recently.
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The one with holes I think is an old aluminum concrete shovel. Haven't looked for a name yet.

The one with the holes is an interesting design. I'm pretty sure it was not intended for sand.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Here's some interesting shovels and an aerator I got recently.
Got them mostly for the D handle round point.

The round point is marked 2 Conneaut. Interesting read about this company. They designed and manufactured shovels specific to their use. I am not sure if this one was for ore, sand, shale, or coal.
Could be a sand scoop shovel. It could also be a diamond point coal mining scoop shovel that has been worn down on the tip.

The one with holes I think is an old aluminum concrete shovel. Haven't looked for a name yet.

The one on the left reminds me of a coffee shovel. It isn't one, but it makes me think of them. I've seen those before but forget what they're for/called.

 

[Downwindtracker2]

We had to make shovels with holes for our liquid lead pans for drossing.

 

[droppoint1]

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[FortyTwoBlades]

Good find. Specifically, it appears to be a "breakdown" scoop.

 

[droppoint1]

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[upnorth]

Ok--I wasn't alone in being interested in scythes, so let's try my other off-the-beaten-path tool interest: shovels! What do you use, what do you like in a shovel or trowel, and what do you wish was made?

I know a lot of folks enjoy the Cold Steel SF Shovel, and I do as well, but I wish the foot steps were turned inward. If allowed to redesign it myself I'd end up with something sort of like the below.

View attachment 257031

Around the home I mostly use either an aluminum transfer shovel for mucking the barn, or my Predator Tools "Big Red" diamond point. But out in the field I use a Zenbori "hori hori" like this one:

If I were able to design my own similar tool, though, I'd come up with something like this.

View attachment 257032

I am pretty heavily into metal detecting as an additional outdoor interest. And my primary field shovel is the Predator Tools Raven 25. I used a Hori Hori knife for a while then went to the Lesche hand digger. Lesche is the original, and family name, of the guy who owns Predator Tools. George Lesche. Best digging tools that I have ever used.

 

[eveled]

Anybody ever see one of these? It’s a Calvary shovel. The handle is a picket pin and a hammer for horse shoes.

 

[Square_peg]

I used a Hori Hori knife for a while then went to the Lesche hand digger. Lesche is the original, and family name, of the guy who owns Predator Tools. George Lesche. Best digging tools that I have ever used.

Wow. That much better than a Hori Hori? Maybe I need to try that.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Wow. That much better than a Hori Hori? Maybe I need to try that.

Everything by Predator Tools and W. W. Manufacturing (owned by the Lesche family, and producer of the King of Spades all-steel spades and shovels) are excellent. Sort of the Estwing of digging tools, and not light tools, but bombproof. The generous bevel on their digging tools really aids in the work, much like the taper in old solid-shank shovel blades.

 

[upnorth]

Wow. That much better than a Hori Hori? Maybe I need to try that.

Easier on the wrist. The stock thickness in the Hori Hori and the lack of finger guards add up to repetitive injury fatigue. The Lesche hand digger is worth every nickel. Hori Hori is still ok in soft black loam but get into clayish or packed soil and the Lesche is the way to go. Tough as nails and lowers fatigue.