What kind of digger for schools, parks, etc?

[Libralabsoldier]

I am having a difficult time seeing how someone could bend the Ames, unless you have a different one than I do.

I really loved my Fiskars digging knife I used to have, but could not find another around here.

I have seen many posts, centered around detectors, diggers, etc. where folks seem to equate expensive with quality.

 

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[godisnum1]

I am having a difficult time seeing how someone could bend the Ames, unless you have a different one than I do.

I really loved my Fiskars digging knife I used to have, but could not find another around here.

I have seen many posts, centered around detectors, diggers, etc. where folks seem to equate expensive with quality.

I agree with you... but I think some people tend to use it more like a prying tool, like a crowbar, than they do as a tool to cut a plug and remove the soil from the ground with.

I was really surprised to see two separate pictures that some people posted here on T-Net. I wish I could find them... but one Ames trowel had broken at the handle, because it's not a full-tang blade... and the other picture, the guy had LITERALLY snapped his right at the middle of the blade!!! I was surprised by both, but basically came to the conclusion... some people just aren't easy on their tools. I'd hate to see how hard they are on those expensive detectors & pinpointers.

Bran <><

 

[Libralabsoldier]

It comes down to using a tool appropriately for the task it was meant to do. You do not use a claw hammer on a cold chisel, you do not use a knife as a screwdriver, or you get broken tools.....It is just that simple. I use a screwdriver for a probe/shallow coin and pulltab popper. I use my digger for deeper stuff, cut the sod, slowly scoop.

 

[Born2Dtect]

Exactly. That is why my Gator was about 4 times the cost of an Ames. I have dug clay soil, rocks, cut roots and wire, pried and chiseled frozen solid ground with the Gator. It has a lifetime warranty and I only have to carry one tool. It just flat out fits me.

Ed D.

 

[Libralabsoldier]

I have nothing against a quality tool that costs more...my problem is with the logical fallacy that if it is less expensive, it has less quality.

 

[Born2Dtect]

I have learned not to look at the cost first. I simply evaluate the item. If the cost is in line with it,s value to me I will probably buy it. Be it a tool, detector or accessory. I try to talk about things I have, had and used regardless of cost. By the way I only see one post in this section with the actual cost in it.

Ed D.

 

[Libralabsoldier]

True. However, there are plenty of qualifying words, such as cheap, junk, etc.

My Ames ran me 13 dollars at Lowes. My Fiskar's I used to have ran me about 20.

 

[Libralabsoldier]

There is no need to be smug about it. If it has lasted twenty years, that is good enough for me. But the point I was trying to make is that a lot of new folks come in here (myself included) and get bombarded with statements that seem to amount to if you do not pay big bucks for brand name equipment and gear, you do not deserve to be considered a legitimate MDer.

I like my Ames, and I like my Fiskar's. And 40 bucks is more than I would personally like to spend on something like that, simply because I would rather take my wife and daughter out to dinner as opposed to buying a tool that no one would get any use out of except for me.

So yes, you are correct, you have a good quality tool...but as to the "unbreakable?" Nothing is unbreakable. I wager you use your tools properly and clean and care for them. Some people are not so conscientious.

 

[fmerg]

i started with the fiskers garden knife broke it with in the first two months
i got it on close out from target at the end of last year
but i loved the ease of use rock soil sand roots ect no problem
when i went looking to replace it i found the ames at my local home depot
it seems to work as well if not better then the fiskers
i also can say if have been very hard on this tool using it to pry rocks loose and and using a hammer to drive it into hard pack
no signs of damage yet will have to wait and see

 

[Libralabsoldier]

Using a hammer on it....not probably what it was intended to withstand. I did not break my fisker's, it got sold along with my first detector before I went to Iraq.

 

[R AND R]

This is what I use. Pop a coin, pry open a car door, whatever you want to do it will work. BTW - Lesche Samson shovel

 

[extractor]

In parks Awl or Garrett coin probe olny.

 

[rjw4law]

I use a hunting knife.

 

[Libralabsoldier]

My other digging tool is a craftsman screwdriver.

 

[Libralabsoldier]

Both of my MDs were gotten in barter, less a twenty five dollar shipping fee on one....

 

[savant365]

Isn't it fun to argue, especially over money. If you like your expensive detectors and diggers that's great and you have every reason to be proud of your possessions. I got into this hobby a little over a year ago with an Ace250 and an Ames digging tool, I love them both. Would I like to have more expensive, state of the art, higher quality equipment? Of course I would, who wouldn't. But for now this is what I have and I am pleased with their quality and performance.

If you are enjoying the hobby and are happy with the money you have invested in it what is the problem? It just seems like a silly thing to get all riled up about. It's hard to know exactly what someone is trying to say in a post and sometimes it is equally hard to express yourself clearly by typing something out. Try not to take things you read in posts personally and just live and let live. Believe me, you will enjoy life a lot more if you don't sweat the small stuff.

HH Charlie

 

[Ray S ECenFL]

I use an ice pick with the point ground down in order to minimize scratching my clad...lol.

The soil in Florida is very sandy in most places and digging a plug is almost impossible. I have become very proficient with retrieving coins up to four inches with the ice pick.

It depends on your area and soil conditions.

Ray S

 

[lafatlife]

I have both diggers. The lesche that I just bought last weekend, and the Ames digger. I started with the Ames and I love it for working in areas with grass. It leaves a nice clean cut and I can make a smaller hole with it. Plus it has inches on it to verify depth. The other I would use in the woods or in areas that I don't have to worry so much about the hole I dig.
There are different tools to satisfy everyone and if it works for you then it is "THE BEST" one. I honestly don't think there is a right or wrong here. Different tools for different jobs that's all.

Go hunting and enjoy yourselves!!!

 

[Libralabsoldier]

Good point.

 

[Massbaycolonist]

Three drunks were standing on a corner one Sunday Morning.
Some MD'ers were out to try thier luck.
The first drunk says, "Hey, Get a load of that guys $1000 clad shooter!"
The second drunk says, "Ya, and check out that other guys $200 stud finder! Well, it does say Pro on it."
The third drunk says, "That aint nuttin, Look at that gals $300 sand scoop!"