Anybody used the Predator Hornet shovel?

[abcoin]

I've heard great things about Predator in general but can't seem to find much on the Hornet (model 45).

Has anyone used one? What was your experience like?

While it seems heavier than other Predator options, it also seems like exact combination of features I'm looking for (long shaft, D-shaped handle, large blade).

 

[Waterdog]

No I primarily use hand digger like the Raptor model 31 C digging tool. I don't like the use of shovels in parks as I have used them before in some parks and was approached by angry parents telling me that their child fell down in one of my holes I left uncovered...

 

[abcoin]

I'm looking for something for digging in forests and fields. Hopefully no one will claim I'm putting children in danger in those places.

 

[bigchuckinva]

Highly Recommend Any Predator Shovel. Many Other Brands are "Copy Cats" and not made same High Standards Preator Tools,. Call them tell what type hunting doing and recommend best for you

 

[JCR TX]

I'm looking for something for digging in forests and fields. Hopefully no one will claim I'm putting children in danger in those places.

If you do much woods hunting the Radius Root Slayer Nomad is fantastic. The V notch really makes the difference when you need to cut though a root. Big enough to dig a decent plug but not too heavy to carry all day.

 

[Odanscoils]

I love the little digger shovel.
Though little shovel.
Great length for getting back up too.
For us Old farts.

 

[abcoin]

I love the little digger shovel.
Though little shovel.
Great length for getting back up too.
For us Old farts.

Thanks, I have one similar to this for travel/hiking into spots.

I'm on the tall side, so I'm looking for something longer that won't force me to hunch over. That's why the Hornet's 40" length appeals to me.

 

[JCR TX]

Radius has long handled versions for most all of their product line.

 

[Odanscoils]

Thanks, I have one similar to this for travel/hiking into spots.

I'm on the tall side, so I'm looking for something longer that won't force me to hunch over. That's why the Hornet's 40" length appeals to me.

They have longer ones too.

Grandson who's about 6' has no trouble digging with it.
Though he has no trouble bending a bit.

Did very well digging through frozen ground burying some loved pet's last winter.

 

[ronaldj2]

No I primarily use hand digger like the Raptor model 31 C digging tool. I don't like the use of shovels in parks as I have used them before in some parks and was approached by angry parents telling me that their child fell down in one of my holes I left uncovered...

The squirrels never seem to fill in their holes... Am I the only one who noticed this ? HH

 

[Donna(NJ]

The squirrels never seem to fill in their holes... Am I the only one who noticed this ? HH

I always tell people, 'If you didnt see me digging, you'd never know I was here !!! ' The cop still told me to leave !!!!
I was only successful once trying to convince someone I wasnt doing any damage. He OK because I was filling my holes.
That was a rare day. People see you digging and automatically think 'destroying property'. Next time someone asks me to leave,
I will ask them 'Do you know what sod is ???'

Lay low, wear camo clothing in public and dont hunt out in the open !!

HH
Donna

 

[Odanscoils]

I always tell people, 'If you didnt see me digging, you'd never know I was here !!! ' The cop still told me to leave !!!!
I was only successful once trying to convince someone I wasnt doing any damage. He OK because I was filling my holes.
That was a rare day. People see you digging and automatically think 'destroying property'. Next time someone asks me to leave,
I will ask them 'Do you know what sod is ???'

Lay low, wear camo clothing in public and dont hunt out in the open !!

HH
Donna

Actually.
I wear a reflective vest and my old work hardhat.

Rarely does anyone bother me.

 

[Waterdog]

If I am approached asking about the holes I am digging I ask them to show me a hole that I have left uncovered even if I have dug none Yeah

 

[abcoin]

So I take it that no one has tried Predator's Hornet, then?

 

[abcoin]

Well, I pulled the trigger on the Hornet, and it arrived today.

Having now held it, I'm feeling good about the weight (4.75 pounds). Not the lightest shovel I could've purchased, but it wasn't that long ago that many detectors weighed that much.

The size and shape of everything, especially the handle and blade, looks great for my uses (forest and farm fields) and, of course, the whole thing feels rock-solid. I can't wait to use this thing to pry out a large piece of iron or a big rock from a hole.

I also like that the blade has a slight curve (like the Phoenix but maybe a little more gradual, from what I can see?) so curious to cut some plugs with this thing and see how clean they are.

I probably won't get out for a bit, but once I've been able to test it in the field, I'll share some more thoughts.

 

[ronaldj2]

I always tell people, 'If you didnt see me digging, you'd never know I was here !!! ' The cop still told me to leave !!!!
I was only successful once trying to convince someone I wasnt doing any damage. He OK because I was filling my holes.
That was a rare day. People see you digging and automatically think 'destroying property'. Next time someone asks me to leave,
I will ask them 'Do you know what sod is ???'

Lay low, wear camo clothing in public and dont hunt out in the open !!

HH
Donna

I always tell people, 'If you didnt see me digging, you'd never know I was here !!! ' The cop still told me to leave !!!!
I was only successful once trying to convince someone I wasnt doing any damage. He OK because I was filling my holes.
That was a rare day. People see you digging and automatically think 'destroying property'. Next time someone asks me to leave,
I will ask them 'Do you know what sod is ???'

Lay low, wear camo clothing in public and dont hunt out in the open !!

HH
Donna

I hope you didnt get the wrong message.. I have literally seen squirrels tearing it up . That being said " I always cut as clean a plug as possible" and fill in holes. And am very adamant about detectorists making a good impression as not to put a negative light on our hobby. Years ago my wife and I were detecting a park in Chicopee , MA. And older gentleman approached us and said " okay kids the party is over " at which time I asked him for an explanation . He explained to me that metal detecting wasnt allowed. I told him there were no signs posted that indicated otherwise. Apparently in the 1970's when metal detecting was picking up popularity , the parks were suffering from the affects of detectorists not filling in the holes.. I went on to explain how I do it , and offered him a challenge . I got a target , cut a plug recovered a quarter . He saw the whole operation as he was watching with great intensity. Then I kindly asked him if he wouldnt mind turning around so I could fill in the hole without him watching. When I was finished , I said " turn around and tell me where I dug a hole " he couldn't . So his response to my wife and I was . " Carry on " . We ended up having some good conversation afterwards and also made a friend that day..

 

[Donna(NJ]

I hope you didnt get the wrong message.. I have literally seen squirrels tearing it up . That being said " I always cut as clean a plug as possible" and fill in holes. And am very adamant about detectorists making a good impression as not to put a negative light on our hobby. Years ago my wife and I were detecting a park in Chicopee , MA. And older gentleman approached us and said " okay kids the party is over " at which time I asked him for an explanation . He explained to me that metal detecting wasnt allowed. I told him there were no signs posted that indicated otherwise. Apparently in the 1970's when metal detecting was picking up popularity , the parks were suffering from the affects of detectorists not filling in the holes.. I went on to explain how I do it , and offered him a challenge . I got a target , cut a plug recovered a quarter . He saw the whole operation as he was watching with great intensity. Then I kindly asked him if he wouldnt mind turning around so I could fill in the hole without him watching. When I was finished , I said " turn around and tell me where I dug a hole " he couldn't . So his response to my wife and I was . " Carry on " . We ended up having some good conversation afterwards and also made a friend that day..

Chicopee, MA !!! Oh do I have great story about that town. I found a college class ring from 1954 from Our Lady Of the Elms. Found it in Princeton, NJ.
Kinda long for this forum, I did return the ring and the owner was flabbergasted I returned it. Found 50 years after lost. It was my first class ring I found.

Yes, sometimes you can talk you way out of digging. My luck hasnt been too good. Once I had two cop cars drive onto a field and surround me like I was some serious criminal.
Read me the riot act, took my drivers license. Never go back to that town,,,Im on record !!!!!!

Sometimes its not easy digging a perfect hole, Dirt, grass & weeds dont always cooperate. But I do, do my best.

After yesterday, Im really pissed I missed your shovel. Getting up and down is getting much harder. I definitely look into buying a similar shovel,

HH
Donna(NJ