Alright, so I decided to get into metal detecting, you know, like finding hidden treasures and stuff. Cool, right? But I quickly realized I needed a good shovel. Not just any shovel, but one made for metal detecting. So, I started my quest for the perfect “metal detecting shovel.”
The Hunt Begins
First, I hit up some online forums. I figured, who better to ask than people already doing this? I read through tons of posts, lots of opinions, and a few arguments about which shovel was best. It was kinda overwhelming, to be honest.
I narrowed it down to a few types:
- Small, hand-held trowels: Seemed good for parks or places where you don’t wanna dig huge holes.
- Longer, sturdier shovels: Looked better for fields or beaches, where you might need to dig deeper.
- Serrated edge shovels: Apparently good for cutting through roots and tough soil.
Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3
I decided to get hands-on. The serrated one cut really easy, the small hand-held one felt akward and I wanted to try some real digging.
I grabbed a basic, longer shovel with a slightly pointed tip and a serrated edge on one side. It felt solid, not too heavy, but like it could handle some work. I took it to a local park (with permission, of course!) to give it a test run.
Digging In
First few digs were… interesting. I learned real quick that you can’t just stab the ground and expect a perfect plug of dirt. I had to work the shovel around, loosening the soil, before I could actually lift anything out.
The serrated edge was a lifesaver! There were a few roots I ran into, and that thing sliced right through them. I can’t imagine trying to do that with a regular shovel edge. It would have taken forever.
After a few hours, I had a small collection of bottle caps, pull tabs, and a couple of rusty nails. No gold yet, sadly. But, I did get a good feel for the shovel. My back was a little sore, but the shovel held up great. No bending, no breaking, just solid digging.
The Verdict (So Far)
So, my first real experience with a metal detecting shovel was a success. I learned a lot, got some exercise, and didn’t break my new tool.I’m still a beginner, but I feel like I’m on the right track. I even like the one I have.
Next step: maybe try a different type of shovel, just to compare. And, of course, keep searching for that elusive treasure!
