andygold
Jr. Member
- Mar 29, 2017
- 96
- 139
- Detector(s) used
- Minelab Equinox 800,
HF 9-Function md,
Garrett Pro-Pointer AT PP
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
I'm currently using a US military folding shovel that I think was Korean War issue. I'm looking for a more solid, longer handled shovel to replace it. I want to purchase from George Lesche's Predator Tools, and not from his old company, Lesche (WW Manufacturing Inc.). Yes, I know the story...
Thing is, I've never actually seen or held one of George's shovels. So with the Sampson out of the running I'm considering either the Predator Ultra Eagle, or the Predator Barracuda. Both have dimensions a bit bigger than the Sampson, with the UE being the closer of the 2 to the Sampson's dimensions. I have seen the Sampson, and used it myself, so I can use that familiarity to compare it to the others.
I was hoping someone might have both the Sampson and one or both of the Predators, and can take a picture of the shovels side by side so I can see and compare the blades. I was originally leaning towards the Ultra Eagle as it is just slightly larger than the Sampson, but some people say that the step on the UE is a bit small and typically slippery, while the Barracuda has a much larger step, and will accept the optional foot pads. I'm just wondering if the tapered blade of the Cuda will leave a more ragged hole compared to the straighter blade of the UE (and Sampson).
Pictures of them side by side would help, and for those who have the tapered bladed Predators such as the Barracuda, Piranha, Ranger...can you cut a clean plug with them, or is the straighter, less-angled blade a better idea? For my needs, cutting a clean plug (mostly coin-shooting) is more important than having an extremely large blade, such as the Piranha has.
Thing is, I've never actually seen or held one of George's shovels. So with the Sampson out of the running I'm considering either the Predator Ultra Eagle, or the Predator Barracuda. Both have dimensions a bit bigger than the Sampson, with the UE being the closer of the 2 to the Sampson's dimensions. I have seen the Sampson, and used it myself, so I can use that familiarity to compare it to the others.
I was hoping someone might have both the Sampson and one or both of the Predators, and can take a picture of the shovels side by side so I can see and compare the blades. I was originally leaning towards the Ultra Eagle as it is just slightly larger than the Sampson, but some people say that the step on the UE is a bit small and typically slippery, while the Barracuda has a much larger step, and will accept the optional foot pads. I'm just wondering if the tapered blade of the Cuda will leave a more ragged hole compared to the straighter blade of the UE (and Sampson).
Pictures of them side by side would help, and for those who have the tapered bladed Predators such as the Barracuda, Piranha, Ranger...can you cut a clean plug with them, or is the straighter, less-angled blade a better idea? For my needs, cutting a clean plug (mostly coin-shooting) is more important than having an extremely large blade, such as the Piranha has.
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