What do you use when the dirt is REALLY hard to dig?

[TrpnBils]

With how dry and hot it's been here lately the ground is getting ridiculous. I hunted for about 8 hours yesterday and for a little bit today and the ground is so hard that my right hand is killing me. I've always used a blunt-nosed hand spade from Lowes...and anytime I find something new to use it's always because the handle has broken off or the blade gets bent. So far I've had this one the longest of anything and it's holding up well, but I'm wondering if there is something better for tough ground.

 

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[cudamark]

I have a hori hori knife that works pretty well on tough ground. Tough as nails too!

That's what I use too. Cheaper than a Lesche and has held up great so far. I also carry a medium size screw driver to poke into hardpan and break out a chunk.

 

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[Uncle Jeff]

but I'm wondering if there is something better for tough ground.

Yes but it is a money issue...
The Raven

 

[TrpnBils]

That's what I use too. Cheaper than a Lesche and has held up great so far. I also carry a medium size screw driver to poke into hardpan and break out a chunk.

I use my screwdriver too once I break through the top layer, but it makes me nervous prodding around good coins with it!

 

[penzfan]

Long handled gasket scrapers seem to work well.

 

[penzfan]

See "Homemade Digger" just posted today under Metal Detecting

 

[ConceptualizedNetherlandr]

I mostly do door-knocking and I can just imagine what the reaction would be if a homeowner saw me in their yard with a small pickaxe...lol. How does a lesche do in that type of dirt?

Pick yours Estwing Geological Tools

 

[TerryC]

DIG REALLY HARD! TTC

 

[Cherokee Dan]

When I am mding in the hard Texas soil and not someone's nice yard, I use a small pick axe ( actually a pick mattox ) bought at lowes, about the size of a good framing hammer. Not to heavy easy to carry.

 

[TerryC]

When I am mding in the hard Texas soil and not someone's nice yard, I use a small pick axe ( actually a pick mattox ) bought at lowes, about the size of a good framing hammer. Not to heavy easy to carry.

Hey, Dan! I've been to the Alamo a few times. Nice place! TTC

 

[CoilyGirl]

When using a pick axe though aren't y'all concerned about hurting your finds? I'm thinking about visiting the army/ navy surplus store and seeing if I can find a shovel that is a little less conspicuous than the one I carry now though it does well. Great thread!

 

[cudamark]

When using a pick axe though aren't y'all concerned about hurting your finds? I'm thinking about visiting the army/ navy surplus store and seeing if I can find a shovel that is a little less conspicuous than the one I carry now though it does well. Great thread!

That's where accurate pin pointing comes in. You need to start off to one side and work your way to the "middle" of the target area. Knowing the depth is also very helpful in avoiding accidental damage. Use your pin pointer to narrow down the target location and take your time by digging carefully, especially in an area with known good/old/valuable targets.

 

[Boatlode]

 

[Frankn]

Last resort tools. Frank...-

Wilcox 401 Has about 20 years usage on it!

A M Leonard all steel shovel Has about 14 years usage on it. The blade is 24kt gold

 

[TxFlag]

"What do you use when the dirt is REALLY hard to dig?" I have a broken shovel and a few blisters currently from this.

The hard packed clay soil where i'm at sure isn't the same easy stuff I see people digging in on internet videos.

 

[cudamark]

Last resort tools. Frank...-
View attachment 1030281Wilcox 401

View attachment 1030287
A M Leonard all steel shovel

Those wouldn't do much in our hard ground. Sometimes you need a hammer to drive a screwdriver into it!

 

[Frankn]

I think I would walk away before getting out a pic ax. That is except if it were a cache hunt!
Frank...-


PS:Hay Cudamark, if you are having so much trouble, only hunt after a heavy rain! lol

 

[Foot hill]

WW-2 pick mattock with new hickory handle.
Head comes off and is stored in canvas cover. Can find them used on eBay @ $60-$80 complete. Just make sure it's real U.S. And not China.
I know mine in made by diamond calk.

The pic end is long and sharp. It WILL bust up the hardest ground.
I often go through old asphalt and super hard dry clay/ chalky, Rocky soil.
I just try and pick AROUND where the target is pinpointing then break up center to avoid scratches.



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[San Antone]

 

[Muddyhandz]

Cudamark is right on the mark! Absolutely nothing will beat a screwdriver.
In fact, it's the best all-purpose digging tool that you could ever own for metal detecting.
Just yesterday I was digging in dry, rock hard mud and the screwdriver popped up a big mud clump with ease.
When you're able to pry up clumps, you can put them back like a jigsaw puzzle with no damage.
It's funny, you hardly ever see any posts about screwdrivers here and yet that is the most used tool in my arsenal.
Sure would reduce the amount of yellow plugs I see everywhere in the parks.
The sad part is most of those yellow plugs were made just for surface pennies!
Cheers,
Dave.

 

[penzfan]

Better yet is a gasket scraper I've mentioned before...

View attachment 1033872