How to choose the best shovel for metal detecting

Metal detecting shovel is the second tool without which you won’t be able to enjoy the hobby. You only have to get a metal detector and a shovel, you can do without all the rest. In the beginning, you can use any shovel that is at hand, but in time you get the idea that you need a different tool for each task.

I have some experience of using various kinds of shovels, and I’d like to share it in this article. There is a wide variety of shovels: portable shovels, full-sized ones, soil knives, trowels, hand-made shovels, etc. So, in this article, we’ll try to figure out what is the difference between all of these.

We’ve already described here how to select a metal detector for beginners, and this article is about metal detectors for experts. If you need a scoop, you are welcome to read this review.

In case if metal detecting is am interesting, but a new hobby for you here is a huge guide for you. If you are currently looking for the best metal detecting shovel, make yourself comfortable because I have something to say in this respect.

There is some theoretical stuff at the beginning, to make sure you understand how one tool differs from another and where it’s better to use them. Then there is a list of ten best shovels for metal detecting.

Best metal detecting shovels

Radius Garden Root Slayer Nomad Spade

Compact, lightweight version of the famous Root Slayer spade. This spade was designed for those who like metal detecting. These people definitely know about shovels. It easily penetrates puddled soil because it has an inverted V-shaped cutting tip. It is saw-shaped with sharp edges designed especially for cutting tree roots.

The blade is 9 inches long, and it is made from powder coated carbon steel. The shank design ensures easy use of the tool with one hand. The shovel is very lightweight (2.5 lbs) and quite enduring at the same time.

If it suits gardeners, it’ll definitely work for metal detecting. Besides, it has the manufacturer’s lifetime guarantee (but only for the USA citizens).

Shovel Style	Nomad
Handle Style	Straight
Handle Length	31 in
Handle Material	Carbon Steel
Blade Size	9 x 7.5 in
Overall Length	40 in
Weight	2.5 lbs
Blade Material	Carbon Steel

Last update on 2023-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Radius Garden Root Slayer Shovel

This is another product made by the same company. Its o-shaped ergonomic shank catches the eye. It looks rather unusual, but when you start using it, you see that all shovels should be made like this one.

Root Slayer is a multi-purpose tool that combines a shovel and a saw in it. It’s best shovel for roots.

Inverted V-shaped cutting blade allows using its narrow tip to dig, and this way decreases the friction of soil. Digging with this shovel is easier than with a standard one, but you should be careful not to damage your find.

Shovel Style	Root Slayer
Handle Style	Radius
Handle Length	31 in
Handle Material	Resin-Encased Carbon Steel
Blade Size	13 x 10.5 in
Overall Length	44 in
Weight	5.5 lbs
Blade Material	Carbon Steel

Last update on 2023-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Garrett Razor Relic Shovel

Garrett Razor Relic shovel length is 36″, weight – 61.6 oz. It is convenient to use for people of any height. It perfectly fits specialized rucksacks for treasure hunters. Thus, transporting the shovel won’t be a problem, and it won’t attract any unnecessary attention as well.

Due to a special T-handle, this shovel deals well with pulling the ground out from the hole and digging deep holes as well.

As for its advantages – it is made special for treasure hunters, completely made from robust steel, convenient in use regardless of the search conditions, portable and easy to transport. In the case of walking on sharp climbs or slopes, this shovel can be used as a lever.

Shovel	Garrett Razor Relic Shovel
Handle Style	T-handle
Handle Length	25 in
Blade Size	9 in
Overall Length	36 in
Weight	61.6 oz
Blade Material	Robust Steel

Last update on 2023-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Nokta Makro Premium Shovel

The shovel consists of two parts. It can be quickly both assembled and disassembled. Besides, it has an arrow-headed and tooth-shaped blade and a T-handle. There is a laser print ruler on the blade. Oh, and there is also a Double-Sided Bottle Opener, which is unexpected a bit, but let it be.

Shovel Style	Nokta Makro Premium Shovel
Handle Style	T-handle
Handle Length	Collapsible Shaft 31.5″ – 38″
Blade Size	9.4″
Overall Length	38 in
Weight	4.6 lbs
Blade Material	Stainless Steel

Last update on 2023-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pro Detector Anaconda Steel Shovel

This shovel is made from tempered steel and heat treated for durability. The 36″ shovel is powder coated black and the 9″ blade has teeth on each side to cut roots. The handle is made to fit a standard 5.5″ shovel holster. Made in the USA.

Shovel Style	Pro Detector Anaconda NX-6
Handle Style	T-handle
Handle Length	25 in
Blade Size	9 in
Overall Length	36 in
Weight	4.2 lbs
Blade Material	Tempered steel

• Blade length – 9″
• Total length – 36″
• Weight: 4.92
• Color: Powder Coated (black)
• Blade is made from tempered steel

Last update on 2023-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Lesche Ground Shark Shovel

Lesche Ground Shark is made from rustproof aircraft steel. It has a long handle. Its long cutting blade gets self-sharpened while digging.

An ordinary shovel will never perform like this one, and it will leave craters instead of small round holes. This shovel is for exquisite workmanship.

Shovel Style	Lesche Ground Shark
Handle Style	T-handle
Handle Length	24 in
Blade Size	11 in
Overall Length	36 in
Weight	2.75 lbs
Blade Material	Aircraft Quality Steel

• Length: 36″
• Weight: 2.75 Pounds
• Serrated edge for cutting
• T-Handle
• Sharp clean edge

Last update on 2023-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

iunio Folding Shovel

This multi-purpose tool is designed for fishing, hunting, and other outdoor activities fans as well as for those who have metal detecting as a hobby. In case of a zombie apocalypse, this will definitely be the thing you take with you without a moment’s hesitation.

IUNIO is one of the best folding shovels on the market (length 31 inches). Its length gets adjusted to the user’s height, and it can be transported in a special case that is attached to the user’s belt.

The shovel gets folded easily and can be stored in a bag.

The blade and the handle are made from quite enduring and wearproof steel, while its handle is made from rubber. It means that the shovel won’t change much even after using it for a long time. Besides, it has a lifetime guarantee.

Last update on 2023-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Best metal detecting digging tools

Garrett Edge Digger

This is a best metal detecting digging tool for precise digging in parks and other public places or if you dug a hole, but your target is still somewhere near, and you can’t find it.

Don’t expect that with Garrett Edge Digger you’ll be able to saw tree roots or stones.

It has a blade from carbon steel with cutting edges and teeth. The blade length is 7,5,” and total length is 12 “. The package set includes a belt mount and 2 years warranty.

Last update on 2023-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

SE Prospector’s Choice

Well, this is an alternative to the above-mentioned digging tool, but you won’t have to pay extra money for the brand name. Surprisingly, this is the case when cheaper doesn’t mean lower quality.

Edge Digger is made from heat-treated carbon steel; the and guard minimizes possible injuries.

The blade length is 7 1/2 inches, and the total length of the digging tool is 12 inches.

Last update on 2023-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

DR.ÖTEK Edge Digger

The metal detecting digging tool can withstand high-intensity work, and it is perfect to be used for gardening and digging for treasure. The edge digger is absolutely a wonderful garden accessory for all your digging projects.

Last update on 2023-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

What is the difference?

A shovel that is not convenient to use, not enduring enough or too heavy can either make you tired or even break in the middle of your treasure hunting trip, and you’ll have to finish it earlier than planned and go back home, etc.

That’s why selecting a proper shovel for digging isn’t that simple task as it may seem at the beginning.

Several kinds of shovels are the most popular among metal detecting fans, so let’s take a closer look at these.

Full-sized shovel

This is the most convenient shovel type. With it, you bend down fewer times when digging. We’d gladly use just this kind of shove, but there’s an issue here. Not every treasure hunter has a car, and it’s impossible to put such a shovel in a backpack and walk with it. Besides, there are some places where it’s not a good idea to take this kind of shovel.

Because…

Despite having such a common name, this object is a far cry from your grandpa’s shovel the same as his car significantly differs from yours. Years ago, a shovel was a piece of metal attached to a stick, while nowadays, this is a combination of plastic, titanium, and steel with a serrated blade.

Some people may consider it a threatening or dangerous object. At this point, attracting unnecessary attention or having it out with the police isn’t our plan.

This leads us to the next type of shovel…

A travel/portable shovel

There is only one of this kind in the list of best metal detecting shovels, but just because these aren’t very popular in the USA. In other countries, this is the most spread shovel type for metal detecting. I personally had used such a shovel quite often, when it was impossible to use a full-sized shovel.

Frankly speaking, the latter is more convenient to use, since I have to bend more often when digging with a travel shovel. However, it is twice shorter and more enduring at the account of a short lever.

Another advantage is that quite often, a travel shovel shank is made from metal. This makes it almost unbreakable. At that, you have to deal with the disadvantage, such as its heavy weight.

Folding shovels

Things are pretty simple here. This is an attempt to join the advantages of the two types described above. Quite often, such shovels are aimed at using by adventure travelers, and they combine several tools in one.

There are several quite good options, and I’ll describe one of them below.

Soil knives

Actually, these appeared as some helpers for gardeners. This is a useful thing, but nit a multi-purpose one. If you are going to go metal detecting on clayey soils covered with perennial grass or on rocky ground, it’ll be quite challenging to use this tool there.

But if you are looking for coins in a park or some private territory, you’ll make perfect holes with it. This tool will do for beach hunting as well. Though, scoops suit better for beach hunting.

Materials

All shovel types mentioned above are made for use at various conditions, from different materials, have different lengths and weights. Of course, in terms of durability, a shovel with a metal shank is essentially better than the ones with a wooden shank.

The metal one is attached to the shovel with steel rivets or gets welded to it (which more preferable), and it allows carrying higher loads than those in case of using screws or nails. In case you need some more enduring tool, you’ll have to deal with the disadvantage, which is its heavy weight.

Conclusions

Please, don’t neglect our advice and recommendations.

Keep in mind that a shovel should be usable, serve more than just a year, and it shouldn’t cost a fortune. At that, you may find that one shovel is not enough for you, especially if you dig at different conditions. Before getting a digging tool, think where you are going to use it, how often, and how much you plan to spend on it.