when your leschie isn't enough OOMF

I really like the 18" Sampson T handle and use it a majority of the time, it would defiantly work better in harder ground than the lesche because of the more leverage you get. I have no experience in hard rocky ground though, hear that can be really tough. I've heard of some using a pick axe in those kind of conditions.
 

The mini Sampson 18" is great because it doesn't look as frightening to landowners who think that you are entrenching but it still digs well. The lesche may actually be better in the Rocky fieldstone areas because of the narrow blade.
 

the sampson 31 inch looks like it's packing a much bigger punch that 18 inch. What's the argument for the 18 incher?
 

RAIN HH Chug
 

blackrose said:
the sampson 31 inch looks like it's packing a much bigger punch that 18 inch. What's the argument for the 18 incher?
Click to expand...

The full size does have more leverage and results in less bending over. They both have the same size head. Since the mini is shorter it's easier to pack and perception means a lot when it comes to land owners. People are more apt to let you dig if you carry a garden scoop for example than a full size spade shovel when you go to "dig up" their property. Same theory here.
 

blackrose said:
the sampson 31 inch looks like it's packing a much bigger punch that 18 inch. What's the argument for the 18 incher?
Click to expand...
I have both of them and hardly ever use the 36"(mine is same style as 31" but 36", harder to find and don't see for sale often). But the main reason I use the 18" is because I'm mostly in people's yards or public places and it looks more like a tool for metal detecting, rather than a shovel. The other reason I like the 18" is because I'm mostly on my knees while retrieving the target. I cut the plug while standing up, using my foot to push it into the grass, then I'm on my knees after that. But those are just my own reasons
 

Like my whites ground hog, and my big lesch. When all else fails explosives help, but don't guarantee target recovery.
 

Hmm, I am a fan of electric Jack hammers with a Generator to run them or a Scoopy a small excavator that I have used to dig out Gold pockets, the one I had would drive into a dodge van I had, was quiet and could get up into Gnarly terrain, hand shovel= takes
too long mostly used to feed a sluice box.
 

Divine Profit said:
I have both of them and hardly ever use the 36"(mine is same style as 31" but 36", harder to find and don't see for sale often). But the main reason I use the 18" is because I'm mostly in people's yards or public places and it looks more like a tool for metal detecting, rather than a shovel. The other reason I like the 18" is because I'm mostly on my knees while retrieving the target. I cut the plug while standing up, using my foot to push it into the grass, then I'm on my knees after that. But those are just my own reasons
Click to expand...


I can see that the intimidation factor plays a role here in folks opting for the 18 " over the 31, with regards to land owners and such.

But what if all else is equal?

Let's consider the scenario where other people are not a factor. Would you still go for the 18?
 

Goldfinger450 said:
Hmm, I am a fan of electric Jack hammers with a Generator to run them or a Scoopy a small excavator that I have used to dig out Gold pockets, the one I had would drive into a dodge van I had, was quiet and could get up into Gnarly terrain, hand shovel= takes
too long mostly used to feed a sluice box.
Click to expand...

I'm mostly only taking what I can carry out to any given spot. Jack hammering and Backhoe'ing isn't an option for me.
 

Estwing makes a really nice pick if that's what you think you need, but I too am a fan of the Sampson shovel, but I made my own small hand diggers. I"m hoping to patent and sell them one day.
 

Blackrose, Just imagine what that little pickaxe would do to a $200 coin if hit. I learned the hard way, and now when the area I suspect the find is in is very hard, I use a sharpened large screwdriver very carefully to loosen the area left and right of the target area and then the little Leschie can do its job with little effort.
 

I always carry a small pick. Its about the size of a hammer. Ever dug in clay soil that's been dried by 110 degree weather? It's a necessity. No shovel will do that job.
 

I have three choices:

A Predator "Dixie" 37" ball-handle shovel (Model 58).

A Lesche feather weight mini-pick.

And if it is REALLY tough or I may do some fossil hunting I take a chisel-point rock hammer (aka "brick hammer"). Mine is a 20 oz. Kobalt (Lowe's). If you are a dedicated rock hound go for an Estwing brand version.
 

blackrose said:
I can see that the intimidation factor plays a role here in folks opting for the 18 " over the 31, with regards to land owners and such.

But what if all else is equal?

Let's consider the scenario where other people are not a factor. Would you still go for the 18?
Click to expand...

I have both. I don't use the 18" anymore. The 31" is a lot easier to dig a plug with in my hard ground.
 

If the ground is too hard a larger shovel never did me any good service, even if I can use the foot and my weight behind it.

I like the japanese planting knifes for hard soil and if everything fails I got a fixed pocket knife with me to soften around the target or pry a stone out of the whole. No picks for me either, also fear to damage the artifact.

Speaking of fixed knives I recommend the Glock field knife if you feel to carry a larger knife: Very practical with the sheet, cheap enough for rough work and it does not bend or break.

Greets namxat
 

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