The Shovel Discussion Thread!

The Zenbori Soil Knife is by far the best hori hori on the market I know of at this time. I love mine. Just make sure you grab the sheath for it too. :)

There are a couple of other quality ones out there by some Japanese producers but they're both larger and more expensive, and I don't like the handle designs. Then there are the cheap ones you see everywhere. They do a good job but the handles need a lot of work.
 
i was just thinking to myself yesterday thet i wanted to design and make a "better" shovel for packing. it would be cool to do a fabrication pass around and bring some good ideas to life:D....just sayin
 
Not sure that's possible! Shovels are a lot more complex to make than knives are. We'd need someone with forging skills more like an armorer's to forge out a shovel head. :eek:
 
See? What a pain just for the scoop of a simple fireplace shovel! Now imagine trying to forge the head on a pack shovel complete with turned steps and integral socket! :p
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
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
Click to expand...

I prefer inward turned shoulders as well. It would be an improvement to the SF shovel.

I worked a habitat restoration project today in a wetland adjacent to a salmon spawning stream. We were planting native plants and dealing with sloppy wet clay soils. Once the hole is dug you drop to your knees the to do the planting work. A small sized shovel becomes more useful at that point. I was using one of my army shovels but I wished I had a small solid non-folding shovel for that work. Cleaning the clay out of the joint and the locking threads is a hassle. A little shovel like the SF, bigger than a garden hand trowel and without the cleanup hassle would be perfect for that work.

My first job at a construction company was digging ditches for sprinkler systems. I actually enjoyed it and to this day I still consider shovelling to be noble work. I have hand dug 10 yards^3 of soil in a day before, when I was younger, with just a shovel and a wheelbarrow. I won't tolerate it when one of my carpenters is 'too proud' to pick up a shovel. If I'm gonna pay you carpenter's wages for labor work then you'd better be happy with that.
 
Square_peg said:
My first job at a construction company was digging ditches for sprinkler systems. I actually enjoyed it and to this day I still consider shovelling to be noble work. I have hand dug 10 yards^3 of soil in a day before, when I was younger, with just a shovel and a wheelbarrow. I won't tolerate it when one of my carpenters is 'too proud' to pick up a shovel. If I'm gonna pay you carpenter's wages for labor work then you'd better be happy with that.
Click to expand...

I agree! Nothing healthier for the soul than some good reflective time doing physical work with simple tools. The old Buddhist expression "chop wood, carry water" as the path to enlightenment rings true to my ears. I split wood with an axe, carry water to the horses in winter when the hoses freeze, dig drainage trenches with a mattock and shovel, and mow the lawn with a scythe. Reckon I always will, too. :)
 
I really like your proposed changes to the special forces shovel. But I have one more. If they won't do it in a forged one piece like their Bushman Knife, then how about changing the way the wooden handle attaches to the metal. If the handle broke, you may not have a multi tool with you to change out the screws with a newly carved handle. Assuming the screws didn't break and you have the skill to carve a wooden handle that fits. Maybe if they used some clamping system instead.
 
1whobuys said:
Thanks, THAT just cost me $200 Bucks ;)
Click to expand...

Your welcome! They're totally worth it. Makes you really reevaluate what you think you can tackle with a shovel. :D

DrivebyTrucker said:
I really like your proposed changes to the special forces shovel. But I have one more. If they won't do it in a forged one piece like their Bushman Knife, then how about changing the way the wooden handle attaches to the metal. If the handle broke, you may not have a multi tool with you to change out the screws with a newly carved handle. Assuming the screws didn't break and you have the skill to carve a wooden handle that fits. Maybe if they used some clamping system instead.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'd want a single hole that went straight through both sides of the handle. That would allow you to use an appropriately sized nail to drive through the handle, leaving enough length sticking out on the other side for you to knock it back out.
 
DrivebyTrucker said:
Assuming..........you have the skill to carve a wooden handle that fits. Maybe if they used some clamping system instead.
Click to expand...


That's an idea. If there was a nut welded to one side of the split in the socket and a tab on the opposite side that would receive a thumb-turn bolt. And maybe the inside of the socket could be coarsely ribbed so it would help grip a field-made handle. A thumb nut could be used as a lock nut behind the welded nut. Then you'd have a totally field serviceable handle that required no tools.

You would also want the socket formed in a slightly open position so that it would spring back open when you release the tension on the bolt.
 
Last edited:
dang, i was hopin for a little more than it would be too hard or we cant do it.......looks like im gonna tackle this project myself:D 1 "better" pack shovel comin up:D
 
Just joined the shovel crowd, Picked up a Cold Steel for a killer price. Cant wait to check it out and use it.
 
I think part of us all retains that little kid sensation of wanting to dig a big hole to the other side of the planet. Digging holes is just fun sometimes. :p

I like the idea of the welded-on nut. You wouldn't even need an open socket--it could function like the set screw on CS 'hawk heads, but in a legitimately appropriate application. Then just use a thumb screw with a slight point on the end like a set screw to bore it into the wood. An open socket would be hard to use as a handle if using just the head as a trowel without a handle. But a closed socket with a welded nut and thumb screw would work great.
 
Great ideas for the shovel. So what about that Hori Hori looking shovel at Predator Tools? Might be overkill for digging cat holes in the woods. :p Like the U-Dig-It on steroids.
 
I like the look of it a lot, and a lot of relic hunters swear by them. Doesn't look quite as flat/compact as the Zenbori, but I bet it moves dirt faster!
 
The best shovels I have seen and used are the made in America Bully Tools products. Everything about them screams quality! Heavier thicker gusts steel, the neck of the shovels go up further then any others and doesn't have the weak point seam like most. Instead is welded shut. Great designs and in ugh as nails handles. I movem! Also there rakes are the best I've seen. With round spoke tines rather then flimsy flat tines. The company is obviously doing all they can to build the best tools they can build!!!
 
justintyme said:
The best shovels I have seen and used are the made in America Bully Tools products. Everything about them screams quality! Heavier thicker gusts steel, the neck of the shovels go up further then any others and doesn't have the weak point seam like most. Instead is welded shut. Great designs and in ugh as nails handles. I movem! Also there rakes are the best I've seen. With round spoke tines rather then flimsy flat tines. The company is obviously doing all they can to build the best tools they can build!!!
Click to expand...

No offense meant, but did you type that on your phone? Looks like a lot of autocorrect errors. :D

Bully Tools DOES make some nice stuff, though, and is the only manufacturer other than Seymour that I know of making a rice shovel right now. :cool::thumbup:

For a cousin-business of Predator Tools, check out WW Manufacturing. Predator is a family splinter of WW. Both make fine all-steel digging tools using similar construction, though you might consider Predator to be the semi-custom or "mid-tech" shovel maker of the two. :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top