What a great forum ! I enjoy coming daily to read, see and learn from all of you. I'm about to purchase a digging tool, like the original lesche , or the new one, or a predator.......asking for opinions from those who have experience with 2 or more. Also, I'd like to hear whom I should order it from. I have an Exp II with WOT coil and SunRay Probe, thanks to suggestions in this forum a couple years back. Just started detecting again here in Central Florida after a year off. Old homes, my favorite. Captn SE gave me some advice 2 yrs ago, and I'm indebted. Love your videos, Dan ! Thanks for your help.
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digging tools
- Thread starter grady2714
- Start date
James N.D.
New member
I have 2 of these Diggers and they last quite awhile. I have worn off about an Inch and a Half of blade on my first one the past 2 years and they just keep working without breaking or bending. There are other well made Diggers available also, it's mainly a personal preference on what the user likes. I like the Lesche since it has the Serrated Edge and is Thinner than other Diggers so it isn't hard to push into the ground. Hope this helps. Good Luck and HH to you.
James--That's what happened to us to.---Here sometime back, I got to looking at my wife's and my Lesche knives and measured the blades against new Lesche knife blades.--The new ones measured 71/2" to the guard and our old ones were quite a bit shorter of blades than that.--I even called the factory & asked them if the earlier Lesche knives had shorter blades than the new ones.--Was told that they were all made with the same length.--Any digging tools just wear down from digging a lot of holes.--These Minelabs are so good-we have to have LONG blades! 
--I've had A LOT of knives & my wife bent the blades of everyone of them-that is until we got the Lesche's.--We think they are the best.---Incidentally, my wife isn't that large of a woman but I don't mess with her-not after seeing the knife blades she's bent! 
------Regards, Del
--I've had A LOT of knives & my wife bent the blades of everyone of them-that is until we got the Lesche's.--We think they are the best.---Incidentally, my wife isn't that large of a woman but I don't mess with her-not after seeing the knife blades she's bent! ------Regards, DelI used nothing but the Lesche digger for the last many years until I tried out the Predator Raptor digger a few weeks ago.
It has a slightly bowed design to the digger blade which allows you to "pop" up a nice 3 sided plug.
It is also the strongest digger I have ever used...and has a nice pointed end to the blade.
It is easily stuck into the toughest ground and you can then pry up a nice plug through the nastiest of ground conditions.
A lot of guys like the serrated edge the original Lesche digger has though...including myself...especially when you encounter those spider web type roots
I haven't had any problems just pounding through them with the raptor digger though.
The thicker ones though...I would probably use my original lesche to saw through them as best as I could.
Either way...it's hard to beat them.
It has a slightly bowed design to the digger blade which allows you to "pop" up a nice 3 sided plug.
It is also the strongest digger I have ever used...and has a nice pointed end to the blade.
It is easily stuck into the toughest ground and you can then pry up a nice plug through the nastiest of ground conditions.
A lot of guys like the serrated edge the original Lesche digger has though...including myself...especially when you encounter those spider web type roots
I haven't had any problems just pounding through them with the raptor digger though.
The thicker ones though...I would probably use my original lesche to saw through them as best as I could.
Either way...it's hard to beat them.
grumpyolman
New member
Bryce is right about the Predator Raptor. I got it right after he initially tried it and it's so much faster and easier than the original Predator. I carry both. When I hit the roots, I just go to the original predator. One thing Bryce didn't mention is that AFTER you dig and flip the flap and you need to go deeper, the Raptor can clear out a hole about 7" deep in 2 or 3 more digs. It brings a huge volume of dirt out of the hole and the angle designed in the handle is perfect for that. After cutting the flap with the original Predator, I have to drop the Predator and reach in with 2 hands to lift out the dirt I have loosened with the Predator. Because of the design, it's tough to use the knife blade as a shovel. Not so with the Raptor.
I did sharpen the Raptor. I think most sharpen the Original also. It makes cutting the flap a lot easier if it's sharpened. Jim
I did sharpen the Raptor. I think most sharpen the Original also. It makes cutting the flap a lot easier if it's sharpened. Jim
You're on the right track. You can't go wrong with a Lesche or the Predator brand Lesche digger. Worth the money as it will outlast all the other diggers. I was curious about Bryce's experience with the new digger, but I like my Lesche and keeping it in my back pocket when hunting. Keeps it discreet and less junk to carry with me and keep track of if it's just in my pocket.
grumpyolman
New member
I use an angle grinder to start with and go slow so I don't build up heat. I finish the edge with a smooth file. You don't want it sharp like a good knife. You just want to take off enough so it cuts into the sod easier. Doesn't take much.
I've gone through a number of digging tools and now have what I think to be one of the best. It is from a Tru Value hardware store. It's made of stainless steel, has a cutting edge, a saw tooth blade and the tip has a V notch. The blade also shows the depth in inches. It is rugged to say the least. I believe I paid $15 for it. I tried uploading a couple of pics of it(tried several times), but didn't have any luck. HH....Dennis
I finally got a picture to upload. Now that I have given it some thought, this digger came from ACE hardware. Best one I have ever used and I use them hard. Dennis
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2235/3533791771_f6f3d02759_s.jpg, http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2126/3534608686_a5fc887364.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2235/3533791771_f6f3d02759_s.jpg, http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2126/3534608686_a5fc887364.jpg?v=0
Tim_on_Long_Island
Member
Dennis,,,I picked up that same digger at Homedepot last week, it was on a clearance for $9.75...sharp ,strong digger,,,,,,,,,HH,,Tim
deeponedge
New member
I like the original Lesche digger because it is solid but light.
Hey digging is all in technique and speed as well as the right tool. The Lesche in these video's has a determined no waste time handler at the other end. Take a look at thoe plugs and the overall technique employed. A sharp tool, a large plug, a rubber mat and determination.. all result in success...
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?19,961959
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?19,961959
I have never used a Lesch, but if it works as well as mine, then it is one heck of a tool. I'm not too sure that I could break mine, unless I really reefed on it. It also came with a ten year warranty. Tim says they had them at Home Depot for about $10 so maybe I'll get another just in case. It's raining here today(Wisconsin) so the ground should be great for hunting tomorrow. HH Dennis
I have a variety of digging trowels and a variety of shovels. For my general hunting, my Lesche gets used the most. In years past, I have bent and broke my share of trowels. Yeah I was cheaper back then and didn't pursue what was marketed much. Then a buddy had a Lesche, was telling me about it and let me use it one day while we were out on a hunt. I ended up buying one and it's still doing it's job to this day (well yesterday evening hunt). I should have pursued quality trowels but always had plenty of the cheaper stuff laying around, and when one would break, I'd grab a spare - always took spares along. I'll stick to the Lesche for my general hunts now.
For digging holes beyond the Lesche size, I have several Wilcox stainless steel diggers, from smaller then Lesche size up to oh about 16-18 inches. With the longer handle, I can get deeper and use the handle as a lever to pry out another scoop. Wilcox has a variety from smaller than Lesche to the larger size to fit into other applications for a variety of conditions. My first one was about a foot long, I liked it so well that I bought one of each size they offer, and since then, I have double on a number of them.
Shovels - after a number of the cheaper local garden department stuff, I finally bought a couple replacement shovels at a local detector dealer. I started out with the Ground Shark and Sampson. Hey, these held up and didn't break under rougher conditions. Yup - went back and one of every model he carried. I have a few 5-gallon buckets now just to keep the shovels together.
Picks - I'd have to go in the garage for the brand name - but like anything else, quality really pays here for the hard dry ground prospecting. My local dealer carried some nice picks, so yup, bought em up a couple years ago. Picks go hand in hand in these conditions along with prospecting hammers. Yes I have a few prospecting hammers but the one I had seemed to use the most is one of my older Eastwing, it has a "S" shape neck for has held up well. And yes a few chisels of a variety of sizes when the need calls.
It's just nice to have the quality stuff that can do the job and hold up well.
The wife really appreciates the use of the variety of digging tools we have for her landscape needs around the home - and that's okay to me.
For digging holes beyond the Lesche size, I have several Wilcox stainless steel diggers, from smaller then Lesche size up to oh about 16-18 inches. With the longer handle, I can get deeper and use the handle as a lever to pry out another scoop. Wilcox has a variety from smaller than Lesche to the larger size to fit into other applications for a variety of conditions. My first one was about a foot long, I liked it so well that I bought one of each size they offer, and since then, I have double on a number of them.
Shovels - after a number of the cheaper local garden department stuff, I finally bought a couple replacement shovels at a local detector dealer. I started out with the Ground Shark and Sampson. Hey, these held up and didn't break under rougher conditions. Yup - went back and one of every model he carried. I have a few 5-gallon buckets now just to keep the shovels together.
Picks - I'd have to go in the garage for the brand name - but like anything else, quality really pays here for the hard dry ground prospecting. My local dealer carried some nice picks, so yup, bought em up a couple years ago. Picks go hand in hand in these conditions along with prospecting hammers. Yes I have a few prospecting hammers but the one I had seemed to use the most is one of my older Eastwing, it has a "S" shape neck for has held up well. And yes a few chisels of a variety of sizes when the need calls.
It's just nice to have the quality stuff that can do the job and hold up well.
The wife really appreciates the use of the variety of digging tools we have for her landscape needs around the home - and that's okay to me.
Down here in south Texas the ground is dry, hard, and full of roots. Or in the coastal areas it is sandy, and full of roots. If you get a deep target as a did yesterday of course it was within 5 foot of a tree it was full of big roots, I dug for more than 30 minutes to chase a good silver reading around roots and finally to come up empty handed. I think I am get Lesche Ground Shark Shovel. I have had this problem more than once.