This video reminded me of one of my most common comment gripes where they say you should have used this, that, or something else. It can't be easy to be prepared for every situation on every adventure. We're all human (maybe) and get distracted, excited, forgetful, and sometimes just plain "dumb". I think you do a great job, especially sharing your "Shoulda Coulda Wouldas". As always, thanks for my continuing education.
My town made that shovel! The Ames shovel shop has been in my town since the 1800's. Just two years ago they closed it down and turned it into section 8 housing. They wouldn't let me detect the factories before they destroyed them, but just in digging with the backhoes they pulled out tons of cool relics. I always get excited when I see an Ames shovel
Thanks Mr. Chigger for this video!! I had been having a problem with my back hurting after digging a few holes. After watching this video I went to Lowes and bought the trench digger and haven't had any more back trouble and I don't get tired as fast as I used to digging with the short diggers.
You are so right ! The right type of shovel does save wear and tear on the old back and knees ! Lord knows I've dug enought holes on my knees ! Thanks for the info
Thanks so much for this information. I've spent the better part of the last day shopping online for shovels and was getting a little overwhelmed. You've helped to narrow down the possibilities.
I've got a "Chigger digger" and you are right, the shape and angle with the long handle equals leverage making it easy to pop a plug. Found the shovel head on the ground near a burnt homeless camp. Put it in the electrolysis tank, and put a good hickory handle on it from a old shovel.
Your video brought back memories of a 3 legged cat I had for years. Loved that cat, besides 3 legs, it had no teeth on its right side. Thanks, love your videos.
Beau, took your advice and carried a trenching shovel ever since. Appreciate your advice and posts. DIV was much nicer with the long handled shovel. Thanks again... Doc
Thanks! I needed that. I was thinking about buying or making one of those straight spades, but I always had a thing for old shovels, and I like the trench shovel too. You are right about the ease of plug removal. Also great cats!
Beau, I have that same Yellow Handled shovel from Lowes but I found some shredded big wheel tire scrap on the side of the road with thick tread and I cut two chunks off (which wasn't easy) and glued them to the place on either side near/on spade where you put your boots at to push it into the ground to dig. This has saved alot of wear and tear on my boots.
I actually had an imported collapsible military shovel similar to the one you described in the video, minus the pick axe. The key is "had"...it broke last week. Pretty spot on with that prediction. Thanks for the insight!
I used to dig in the Northern Virginia area in the mid 80s and used my "Arkansas Toothpick" for digging. I used a White's Coinmaster and never came home empty handed....except for once. It got left out in the field and never found it. Probably somewhere around Middletown or Winchester, Va.
I have to agree with everything you said exept the trenching shovel seems a bit heavyer than the regular spade. I use a spade with a D handle and i've modified to to be better. I use a small digger once I have the plug open and I think I'm close to the target but not quite at it, i'll dig with the small one to find it. Great explanation Beau, love the video.
Excellent vid. I went to Wallymart and bought a small garden spade and cut the outside edges to form a "V". I haven't tried it yet but I'm sure it will do for me, a beginner.
Thanks! LOL! My cat usually lays on my desk in front of the monitor, he happened to look up when your cats were on and really was interested, it was real funny...
Great video. Very helpful for deciding which bigger shovel to use. I am gonna get one like that from Lowes for when I go relic hunting in wooded areas. I haven't quite gotten to relic hunt yet. Right now I have the Lesche Sampson shovel which is awesome for parks and yards. Thanks Brother. GL+HH TTYL
The better question is how much stuff do you carry and how do you carry it? One shovel? A trowel too? Extra batteries? Markers? A snake bite kit? In a side bag or backpack?
5 inch trenching spade frome lowes kobalt brand with fiberglass handle, Best $27 ive spent on a digging implement. Plus its gauranteed for life. Beau knows!
Fortunately I'm a welder come fabricator what I have a tendency to do is go to reclamation yard ! Pick up old spades for a quid that's a dollar I then chop n desighn to my spec and copy some others that are on the market ! I can chop a spade up and make 3 small digging trowels ,I make em for mates as everymate I introduce into the hobby are skint so I end up making gear for them ha ! Be carefull what you start ! .as always love your vids ant from Wales UK HH
I've been using a shovel similar to the wide blade one you showed, but with a short handle. I tried using one of my mom's gardening trowels and bent the poor thing. I wish I had some easier way to carry the shovel and anything I find though. Got any suggestions, like a backpack or something? Thanks for another useful video.
I CAN DIG IT.. Just take a look at my last video . I think you will find my intro funny. I also only show the really good stuff I find so there's some really old cool stuff I think you would be interested in . By the way you are right.... I started off with a small hand digging tool and worked my way up to $140 predator tool shovel lol...
Thanks for posting this ! My AT Pro comes on wednesday, I have been meeting with Diane (alwaysdetecting) We did some vids and I gave you some shouts in them. You all have a fantastic community! I will take your advice on that shovel, However I will mod mine to work in conjunction with a motorcycle! I can't wait to get started!!
I use muh bare hands to dig! My brother bought one of those 1/2 circle edging tools. 1st thing we did was bend it trying to use it. Any idea what I can do with all the sub par shovels and rakes we have?
You seem to know right where to dig so you can use a narrow shovel....is this the way it has always been...or did you originally have to use a full size shovel and dig wider holes. Also out of curiosity...let's say you are detecting an average sight for like three hours....how many holes do you actually end up digging? Another detector (nice young guy) named nugget noggin......sometimes will dig four-five hours and show you the interesting relics...might be a dozen...then he'll pan to the scrap iron pile where there could be 40-50 things. Is a day spent detecting like a day digging a ditch? Hey...love your stuff!
I use the "Poor man's Lesche" A fiskar's walmart garden knife, in parks. The local permitting office has on the permits "No Shovels of any kinds. Only small digging tools permitted" (smh). I use a harbor freight short fiberglass t handled spade when in the woods or on private property.
The trouble with the "garden knife" in Florida, is the ground is mostly sand. you cannot get a clean plug or hole with it. The short shovel at least picks up enough and keeps it together to neatly fill the hole once done. I tried to explain this to the parks and rec dept that issues the permits here...it fell on deaf ears.
Good info. I had a silver detecting place in collected from in the 70's. I used a screw driver just to poke the ground to find the coin. Before you cringe too much, I had a buyer that didn't care about the condition, he was melting everything (so he said). He gave us 7 times face value for any coin. I made a lot of money that summer and kept the best condition coins. So weird to see you with long hair. (2020)
Great instruction/ Tips video. Great work Beau. Do LEO's really hassle people over that small hand shovel? Is a marine Knife not a good tool then? Aren't screwdrivers burglary tools to the LEO's if you carry it around? Just curious, I am so conscience of letting my tools be seen by others.
I feel it is my civic duty to relieve you of that well made relic digging shovel that you dislike so,,,,,, Seriously though ( oh I'll seriously take it off your hands ),,,,,, I did purchase a trenching shovel like the last one after watching your videos. It does work well. I keep it in the truck just in case the trowel isn't cutting it.
ha ha ha hay good video ,i ask you befor what kind of shovel you where using and still on my mind to buy one :) , trenching shovel digs a neat tidy hole without all bending over
Hi, just getting into this and enjoying your videos. Can you tell me your preferred footwear for stream hunting? I live near creek with very slippery, algae covered rocks and just wondering what's the best choice for river walking?
I use a predator spade, I never thought of the angle of the shaft... I absolutely killed a late 1800s brooch with crystals in it last week. Pinpointed it off I guess. I normally have problems with targets that are silver dollar size and bigger. I always either nick em with the spade, or cut straight through them. Or god forbid I'm using the bunks pick, I'll be digging and after one misplaced swing, the target is stuck on the end of the pick. Shit happens. Lol
Thanks, I've been considering one of the detector shovels but had also looked at the trenching ones as well. Do you sharpen the sides and end of your shovels?
I for my part would at least clean that spade with the T-handle. Digging with dirty equipment isn´t fun and makes the task a lot harder. I understand sharpening the end of the blade, SilverBinder, but why one will sharpen the side of the blade? I guess Beau isn´t preparing for a trench fight ;-)
From my experience (digging over my parents garden [8000 ft²] for decades) it´s not of any profit to sharpen also the long sides of the spade. But maybe that depents of the model?
I take the wwmfg stuff over all but i have a different purpose formthe tool than you have the only thing i dont like is that they become slippery in wet/rainy conditions
I went to Lowe's today and I saw two shovels, a 4" and a 5" I couldn't decide which one was better. The one in this video appears to have a shorter blade tho...? Did you get it offline or in-store?
***** alright! I almost got the 4" but I thought I might see which one you thought would work better. I can't get up and down all day bc I'm disabled so a long handled shovel is what I need! Thanks again!
This was a few years ago, but pretty sure you'd give the same advice. One more option is to hire me to do the digging for you! Before you say anything, yes, I know I'm old.
@@aquachigger Yeah, my bad back is being successfully treated. You continue to share your knowledge, what's worked and what hasn't. Thanks as always for all you share.
sometimes I find old Bosch bottles in northern michigan by the lake sticking out of the beach surrounded by rocks and surviving the ice, crazy, any pointers on looking for glass bottles? Mine say Bosch Lake Linden michigan registered
Great video I am a big fan. Picked up lots of tips from you, thanks Beau. No one tool for this job for sure. I dig mostly in city parks and schools and agree with you that people may freak out about shovels and spades. Even though they are the best tools for saving your back and digging sharp plugs fast. You just don't want them to call the cops and destroy your hunt. I am buying Fiskars Exact Edging and Planting Spade medium size after all considered because of size and looks (orange goes with my TRX too :), which I plan to attach to spade handle for ease of use and to save time). Got a new hand tool in the meantime that looks promising for increasing my recovery speed. It is called Soil Scoop from Garden Works. Check out my vid for more details. Greetings and HH.
I love your videos I'm new at this and of course I love cats I am a cat lover and they are God's creatures I love all animals now you got to find some gold yes go go gold
![Metal Detecting Digging Tools Review [The Best Of The Best]](/img/n.gif)
This video reminded me of one of my most common comment gripes where they say you should have used this, that, or something else. It can't be easy to be prepared for every situation on every adventure. We're all human (maybe) and get distracted, excited, forgetful, and sometimes just plain "dumb". I think you do a great job, especially sharing your "Shoulda Coulda Wouldas". As always, thanks for my continuing education.
Thank you for posting, I'm a newbie to MD and this video really helped me understand pro/cons of the shovels.
My town made that shovel! The Ames shovel shop has been in my town since the 1800's. Just two years ago they closed it down and turned it into section 8 housing. They wouldn't let me detect the factories before they destroyed them, but just in digging with the backhoes they pulled out tons of cool relics. I always get excited when I see an Ames shovel
I believe the company is still around, just not in my town anymore.
Thanks for sharing why you like or dislike certain tools. Educational as usual.
Thanks Mr. Chigger for this video!! I had been having a problem with my back hurting after digging a few holes. After watching this video I went to Lowes and bought the trench digger and haven't had any more back trouble and I don't get tired as fast as I used to digging with the short diggers.
You are so right ! The right type of shovel does save wear and tear on the old back and knees ! Lord knows I've dug enought holes on my knees ! Thanks for the info
Thanks so much for this information. I've spent the better part of the last day shopping online for shovels and was getting a little overwhelmed. You've helped to narrow down the possibilities.
***** Relatively brand new to the hobby. Looking forward to it!
I've got a "Chigger digger" and you are right, the shape and angle with the long handle equals leverage making it easy to pop a plug. Found the shovel head on the ground near a burnt homeless camp. Put it in the electrolysis tank, and put a good hickory handle on it from a old shovel.
after seeing this video about two years ago I bought that Lowe's shovel, 5" wide blade. Still using only it.
Your video brought back memories of a 3 legged cat I had for years. Loved that cat, besides 3 legs, it had no teeth on its right side. Thanks, love your videos.
Thank you sir, you and nuggetnoggin have been very good sources for getting back into metal detecting.
Beau, took your advice and carried a trenching shovel ever since. Appreciate your advice and posts. DIV was much nicer with the long handled shovel. Thanks again...
Doc
Life is amazing, You learn something new every day. Keep on diggin.
Thanks! I needed that. I was thinking about buying or making one of those straight spades, but I always had a thing for old shovels, and I like the trench shovel too. You are right about the ease of plug removal. Also great cats!
Beau, I have that same Yellow Handled shovel from Lowes but I found some shredded big wheel tire scrap on the side of the road with thick tread and I cut two chunks off (which wasn't easy) and glued them to the place on either side near/on spade where you put your boots at to push it into the ground to dig. This has saved alot of wear and tear on my boots.
Thank you
Picked up one of those shovels at Lowes today. Can't wait till it gets warm of enough to do some digging.
Good man for looking out for the cats, I have 2 as well, have to keep my eyes on her polydactyl non retracting claws
I actually had an imported collapsible military shovel similar to the one you described in the video, minus the pick axe. The key is "had"...it broke last week. Pretty spot on with that prediction. Thanks for the insight!
I used to use my angle grinder to cut a sharp edge on my little shovel to slice grass or tree roots when digging.
I use a lesche in parks, but other places, it is a good old fashioned shovel. Great video!
Thanks Beau, I love your informative/instructional videos. I think that trenching shovel looks awesome, I need one now!
I used to dig in the Northern Virginia area in the mid 80s and used my "Arkansas Toothpick" for digging. I used a White's Coinmaster and never came home empty handed....except for once. It got left out in the field and never found it. Probably somewhere around Middletown or Winchester, Va.
Excellent video and comments..!! Thanks, for sharing..!!
Interesting Beau! I have the same shovel and it's also my favorite! I take it everywhere I go hunting. The best!
I have to agree with everything you said exept the trenching shovel seems a bit heavyer than the regular spade. I use a spade with a D handle and i've modified to to be better. I use a small digger once I have the plug open and I think I'm close to the target but not quite at it, i'll dig with the small one to find it. Great explanation Beau, love the video.
Very good information on the shovels that's a good shovel I have one of these you are so right about this
Loved seeing your cats in this one, Beau!
Quick & dirty! Just the way I like it! Thanks Beau!
Excellent vid. I went to Wallymart and bought a small garden spade and cut the outside edges to form a "V". I haven't tried it yet but I'm sure it will do for me, a beginner.
Coincidently, I was going to ask you about shovels last week, so thanks for this video.
Thank you.. :)
Great Channel! You pin-pointed it! I started just as you said, with that little orange detecting trowel.
Thanks! LOL! My cat usually lays on my desk in front of the monitor, he happened to look up when your cats were on and really was interested, it was real funny...
Cool video. Thank for sharing. Lots of great points!
I use a Jackson J-250 Trenching shovel (5 inch wide) Best metal detecting shovel I've ever used!
Great info on digging tools!
That answered my previously posted question! Thanks!
I use a steel/aluminum army entrenching tool, very easy to transport, sharp digging edges, not heavy and quite cheap. Also indestructible.
Great video for a beginner like me. Thank you!
Great video. Very helpful for deciding which bigger shovel to use. I am gonna get one like that from Lowes for when I go relic hunting in wooded areas. I haven't quite gotten to relic hunt yet. Right now I have the Lesche Sampson shovel which is awesome for parks and yards. Thanks Brother. GL+HH TTYL
Great run down of the diggers. I do like the looks of that trenching tool you use in your videos. GL&HH
I also find that sharping the end slightly makes a huge difference when digging. Cuts through easier. Just my experience.
Thank you...just the type of info I've been looking for.
this is some ground breaking stuff.....
heh.
The US trenching tools are by far the best, mine's from '66 and has been in my camping gear since the 80's.
The better question is how much stuff do you carry and how do you carry it?
One shovel? A trowel too? Extra batteries? Markers? A snake bite kit? In a side bag or backpack?
5 inch trenching spade frome lowes kobalt brand with fiberglass handle, Best $27 ive spent on a digging implement. Plus its gauranteed for life. Beau knows!
I use the cold steel shovel it's really light weight and sturdy you can also use it as a hatchet + it's cheap
well lowes no longer sells that shovel found it at home depot . thanks for the info great shovel
Thanks for the information, really will help. Have an awesome day. Karla
I use a cold steel spetsnaz shovel, i find its just the right size, that and a small plastic trowel for scooping
Fortunately I'm a welder come fabricator what I have a tendency to do is go to reclamation yard ! Pick up old spades for a quid that's a dollar I then chop n desighn to my spec and copy some others that are on the market ! I can chop a spade up and make 3 small digging trowels ,I make em for mates as everymate I introduce into the hobby are skint so I end up making gear for them ha ! Be carefull what you start ! .as always love your vids ant from Wales UK HH
Thanks, I wanted information about the shovel you use. I will be heading to Lowe's very soon.
beau, what are your thoughts on the garret atx pulse, it will be used in the arizona desert looking for gold
I've been using a shovel similar to the wide blade one you showed, but with a short handle. I tried using one of my mom's gardening trowels and bent the poor thing. I wish I had some easier way to carry the shovel and anything I find though. Got any suggestions, like a backpack or something? Thanks for another useful video.
I CAN DIG IT.. Just take a look at my last video . I think you will find my intro funny. I also only show the really good stuff I find so there's some really old cool stuff I think you would be interested in . By the way you are right.... I started off with a small hand digging tool and worked my way up to $140 predator tool shovel lol...
Thanks for posting this ! My AT Pro comes on wednesday, I have been meeting with Diane (alwaysdetecting) We did some vids and I gave you some shouts in them. You all have a fantastic community! I will take your advice on that shovel, However I will mod mine to work in conjunction with a motorcycle! I can't wait to get started!!
***** Give me a couple weeks and I will have a fix bro!! Trust me on that!!
***** , We must see this motorcycle detecting rig!
I use muh bare hands to dig! My brother bought one of those 1/2 circle edging tools. 1st thing we did was bend it trying to use it. Any idea what I can do with all the sub par shovels and rakes we have?
Thanks for your video. And don't dismiss your opinion as just an opinion. "Opinions from people with experience is called Wisdom"
Good info on digging tools. That's an impressive block of wood. What type and how did you get it flattened off on top?
You seem to know right where to dig so you can use a narrow shovel....is this the way it has always been...or did you originally have to use a full size shovel and dig wider holes. Also out of curiosity...let's say you are detecting an average sight for like three hours....how many holes do you actually end up digging? Another detector (nice young guy) named nugget noggin......sometimes will dig four-five hours and show you the interesting relics...might be a dozen...then he'll pan to the scrap iron pile where there could be 40-50 things. Is a day spent detecting like a day digging a ditch? Hey...love your stuff!
do you ever use a wheel barrel to help transport things to and from your dig site ?
For a cat who's mostly blind, he seems to get around very well. I think the cat is fibbing about his blindness.
I use the "Poor man's Lesche" A fiskar's walmart garden knife, in parks. The local permitting office has on the permits "No Shovels of any kinds. Only small digging tools permitted" (smh). I use a harbor freight short fiberglass t handled spade when in the woods or on private property.
The trouble with the "garden knife" in Florida, is the ground is mostly sand. you cannot get a clean plug or hole with it. The short shovel at least picks up enough and keeps it together to neatly fill the hole once done. I tried to explain this to the parks and rec dept that issues the permits here...it fell on deaf ears.
I use the Fiskar's garden knife as well. Great for cutting small plugs at parks and baseball fields.
Ty!
Were did you get the Ames shovel I have seen them on eBay but not with the pick would love to get one
Good info. I had a silver detecting place in collected from in the 70's. I used a screw driver just to poke the ground to find the coin. Before you cringe too much, I had a buyer that didn't care about the condition, he was melting everything (so he said). He gave us 7 times face value for any coin. I made a lot of money that summer and kept the best condition coins. So weird to see you with long hair. (2020)
Great instruction/ Tips video. Great work Beau. Do LEO's really hassle people over that small hand shovel? Is a marine Knife not a good tool then? Aren't screwdrivers burglary tools to the LEO's if you carry it around? Just curious, I am so conscience of letting my tools be seen by others.
I feel it is my civic duty to relieve you of that well made relic digging shovel that you dislike so,,,,,, Seriously though ( oh I'll seriously take it off your hands ),,,,,, I did purchase a trenching shovel like the last one after watching your videos. It does work well. I keep it in the truck just in case the trowel isn't cutting it.
Do you have any recommendations for tick defense?
Hi, what’s the width of the trenching shovel? 4 or 5 inch?
+Aquachigger Very good video. What's the exact Model Number of your Lowe's trenching tool? Is it made by Nupla Corp.? Thanks for your help. Y75
very helpfull! gonna save me some money too
Love the cats !!!
I also have a collection of diggers.... I recently bought one like yours from Lowes, but it is broke. It never dug up any bullets.....
What a beautiful bloke
I can dig it 👍
Would the Lowe's brand that hes referring too be the Kobalt?
Kobalt Long-Handle Fiberglass Trenching Spade?
ha ha ha hay good video ,i ask you befor what kind of shovel you where using and still on my mind to buy one :) , trenching shovel
digs a neat tidy hole without all bending over
Hi, just getting into this and enjoying your videos. Can you tell me your preferred footwear for stream hunting? I live near creek with very slippery, algae covered rocks and just wondering what's the best choice for river walking?
***** Got it! Thanks. Fantastic.
Hiya Beau can I get the long handled spade you favour in the uk
I use a predator spade, I never thought of the angle of the shaft... I absolutely killed a late 1800s brooch with crystals in it last week. Pinpointed it off I guess. I normally have problems with targets that are silver dollar size and bigger. I always either nick em with the spade, or cut straight through them. Or god forbid I'm using the bunks pick, I'll be digging and after one misplaced swing, the target is stuck on the end of the pick. Shit happens. Lol
Thanks, I've been considering one of the detector shovels but had also looked at the trenching ones as well. Do you sharpen the sides and end of your shovels?
I for my part would at least clean that spade with the T-handle. Digging with dirty equipment isn´t fun and makes the task a lot harder.
I understand sharpening the end of the blade, SilverBinder, but why one will sharpen the side of the blade? I guess Beau isn´t preparing for a trench fight ;-)
From my experience (digging over my parents garden [8000 ft²] for decades) it´s not of any profit to sharpen also the long sides of the spade. But maybe that depents of the model?
I take the wwmfg stuff over all but i have a different purpose formthe tool than you have the only thing i dont like is that they become slippery in wet/rainy conditions
Beau use a hoof pick!
You prolly just saved me bout 50 bux!! Thanks!!
love your minion helpers
I went to Lowe's today and I saw two shovels, a 4" and a 5" I couldn't decide which one was better. The one in this video appears to have a shorter blade tho...? Did you get it offline or in-store?
***** the one you use looks like the 4" blade, is it?
***** ok Ty sir!
***** alright! I almost got the 4" but I thought I might see which one you thought would work better. I can't get up and down all day bc I'm disabled so a long handled shovel is what I need! Thanks again!
what metal detector do you suggest and where to buy? is it a buy once cry once situation
I would not be going in the water and I would want to be looking for coins sir
Thank you for all the info and where should I buy one?
This was a few years ago, but pretty sure you'd give the same advice. One more option is to hire me to do the digging for you! Before you say anything, yes, I know I'm old.
You're one of the lucky ones.
@@aquachigger Yeah, my bad back is being successfully treated. You continue to share your knowledge, what's worked and what hasn't. Thanks as always for all you share.
I always carry a ww2 era pilots knife when I insulator hunt or bottle hunt.
sometimes I find old Bosch bottles in northern michigan by the lake sticking out of the beach surrounded by rocks and surviving the ice, crazy, any pointers on looking for glass bottles? Mine say Bosch Lake Linden michigan registered
thanks for the info on shovels. helpful! nice of you to keep those cats, so may folks would just dismiss them, or have them put down..........
We call it a sharp shooter
What a cute cats.
I digg this video.
I'm a time traveler from the future. You'll wind up shaving that beard one day.
What's best for hard soil?
+carter A prospecting pick or a regular pick if money is tight.
6:06 xD hilarious
Great informational video.
GL/HH
Great video I am a big fan. Picked up lots of tips from you, thanks Beau. No one tool for this job for sure. I dig mostly in city parks and schools and agree with you that people may freak out about shovels and spades. Even though they are the best tools for saving your back and digging sharp plugs fast. You just don't want them to call the cops and destroy your hunt. I am buying Fiskars Exact Edging and Planting Spade medium size after all considered because of size and looks (orange goes with my TRX too :), which I plan to attach to spade handle for ease of use and to save time). Got a new hand tool in the meantime that looks promising for increasing my recovery speed. It is called Soil Scoop from Garden Works. Check out my vid for more details. Greetings and HH.
I love your videos I'm new at this and of course I love cats I am a cat lover and they are God's creatures I love all animals now you got to find some gold yes go go gold