Nothing is more frustrating than your shovel snaps in two during an intense relic hunt. Choosing the best shovel for metal detecting is as important as you’re finding a metal detector. And don’t worry, you have us. Here are the top 6 best selections that we’ve compiled from the market:
Here are the best shovels for metal detecting you can buy in 2023:
- Best Overall: Radius Garden 22311
- Best For Wet Spaces: Ashman Short Handle Drain Spade Teeth Shovel
- Best For Small Jobs: Bond LH015
- Best For Deep Plugs: Fiskars 46 Inch
- Best Folding Shovel: TAC9ER Collapsible E-Tool Shovel 23-inch
- Most Durable: Spear Head Spade
| Top 6 Best Shovels For Metal Detecting | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Radius Garden 22311 | |
Best For Wet Spaces | Ashman Short Handle Drain Spade Teeth Shovel | |
Best For Small Jobs | Bond LH015 | |
Best For Deep Plugs | Fiskars 46 Inch | |
Best Folding Shovel | TAC9ER Collapsible E-Tool Shovel 23-inch | |
Most Durable | Spear Head Spade | |
Best Overall: Radius Garden 22311
- The O-handle is superbly utilitarian and comfortable than the traditional handle designs to reduce arm fatigue while digging after a while
- The cutting tip is sharp and wisely designed to rip through obstacles easily -> save your effort
- Can break a tree stump efficiently -> You can replace your pry bar with this
- The manufacturer guarantee is continental US only -> limited
- The blade is narrow, which is only suitable for small spaces -> can’t handle large rocks
- The bar lever is awkward to use
Unlike other digging tools that we’ve tried, the Radius Garden 22311 is incredibly well-designed so it’s much stronger, especially the O-handle.
It probably looks weird at first but once trying it, you’ll think that other shovels should be made in this way because this new design is much more utilitarian and comfortable.
Its inverted, V-shaped cutting tip with sharp teeth is our most satisfying feature. It just rips through roots and dirt with very little effort. In fact, this tool can replace your pry bar to break an old tree stump without bending at all.
| Radius Garden 22311 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material | Blade made of powder-coated carbon steel; Shaft made of resin-encased carbon steel and non-latex grips at the top |
Blade Length | 9 inches |
Thickness | 2.5mm |
Handle Shape | O-shaped |
Highlight Features | 39 x 2.8 x 7.5 inches Blade made of powder-coated carbon steel Shaft made of resin-encased carbon steel and non-latex grips at the top |
Designed with comfort and function, even a professional metal detector will find the Radius Garden 22311 to be a helpful and handy tool to have in their tool inventory.
Best For Wet Spaces: Ashman Short Handle Drain Spade Teeth Shovel
- Well-made
- Fairly sturdy
- Lightweight - easy for small people to handle
- The black paint is chipped
The Ashman Short Handle Drain Spade Teeth Shovel is made from high-quality heat-treated steel with a powder-coated glossy finish that can withstand any weather conditions including the water to last for a long time even when working in wet spaces regularly.
This product has a non-slip D-grip handle that makes sure that you can grip the shovel in wet conditions firmly.
The wet materials are thicker and heavier than normal materials, so this unit is long enough to offer more leverage. Thus it's easier for you to dig into this type of material. Specifically, its handle length is 20 inches.
You hardly maneuver a heavy shovel in wet conditions especially when it's full of wet soil and materials. So you should consider this model that weighs only 1.8 pounds.
| Ashman Short Handle Drain Spade Teeth Shovel Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material | High-quality heat-treated steel |
Handle Shape | D-grip |
Highlight Features | Short handle drain spade teeth shovel Powder-coated glossy finish Razor sharp blade Non-slip handle Lightweight design |
The Ashman Short Handle Drain Spade Teeth Shovel can handle the thick and heavy soil and materials very well.
Best For Small Jobs: Bond LH015
- Feature a perfect mini-sized blade with sharp teeth and grippy handle, it’s easy to dig through root and dirt in the tiniest space
- No wobble in the spade head nor flex in the handle
- Anti-rust efficiently to last longer with aesthetics
- The stickers are hard to get off
The Bond LH015 is the best contender for anyone who is looking for a small shovel.
It comprises of a durable heat-treated head and lightweight yet strong steel handle with rust-resistant powder coated paint to give a very good hand-feel.
The tool does its job perfectly. It is small yet well-made and strong to give no wobbling in the spade head nor flex in the handle, even when using it for leverage or prying. With a polymer grip, it’s easy and comfy to grip in the hands with no unwanted movement.
| Bond LH015 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material | Steel with Rust-resistant powder-coated paint |
Blade Length | 8” |
Thickness | 1/8” |
Handle Shape | D-shaped |
Highlight Features | Durable heat-treated head Comfortable soft non-slip grip |
Based on its mini size of 27.6 x 13.6 x 7.5 inches, this shovel is perfect to do some digging in a VERY TIGHT space with an ultimately solid feel.
Best For Deep Plugs: Fiskars 46 Inch
- Made of durable materials with larger handle design to fit both hands -> give you more comfort, control, and less arm fatigue
- Provide a big step to dig more easily
- A very good and dependable guarantee provided by the manufacturer so you can rest assured to try it
- Don’t work in clay well
- A bit heavy
At under $30, the Fiskars 46” stands out with its impressive scoring to bring home our Editor Choice Award for deep plugs.
It’s strong, durable, and comfortable with an emphasis on the 18-gauge steel shaft, the welded 14-gauge hardened steel blade, and the large teardrop-shaped D-handle design. By fitting both hands, it is not only easier to grip for better control but also reduces arm fatigue efficiently.
A big bonus is its BIG step which makes the digging much easier, even with crocs on.
But the best part is that Fiskars actually stand behind their lifetime guarantee. You’ll get a new replacement delivered to your house promptly with no verbal gymnastics, long-winded explanation, the hassle of sending back the broken one nor shipping changes.
| Fiskars 46 Inch Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material | Welded 14-gauge hardened steel blade and 18-gauge steel shaft |
Blade Length | 12” |
Thickness | 1/3” |
Handle Shape | D-shaped |
Highlight Features | 46 Inch Welded 14-gauge hardened steel blade and 18-gauge steel shaft |
Designed to be bigger, comfier, and more durable with a reliable guarantee, the Fiskars 46” is our suggestions for people who are finding a good shovel for deep plugs.
Best Folding Shovel: TAC9ER Collapsible E-Tool Shovel 23-inch
- Highlight a lock system to keep the blade in shape while digging to ensure your safety as well as handle heavy-duty digging jobs like a fixed one
- Provide a hard carrying case to attach to belt or backpack easily
- It’s prone to make noise, especially when you store it in your truck and go somewhere
Speaking of the foldable shovel, we guess everyone all wishes to have it because…why not when it’s much more compact for storage or transporting than the fixed design?
The only thing and also the biggest thing stops you from buying it is right because of the foldable structure, the shovel is commonly less strong and durable, end up wasting your money. HOWEVER, this TAC9ER Collapsible E-Tool isn’t a thing.
It is forged from carbon steel to with a reliable threaded lock system to ensure the blade always staying in place to handle heavy-duty digging jobs or entrenching. It, on another hand, keeps you ultimately protected and safe.
At this affordable price point, the best thing is you’ll receive a hard carrying case to be attached to a belt or backpack easily with higher protection.
| TAC9ER Collapsible E-Tool Shovel 23-inch Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material | Carbon steel blade & aluminum handle |
Blade Length | 9.45” |
Handle Shape | Foldable |
Highlight Features | Tri-fold design Forged from carbon steel |
The TAC9ER Collapsible E-Tool with highlights on ultra-durable design and sturdy lock system is the best candidate for those who are in need of the best foldable shovel for metal detecting.
Most Durable: Spear Head Spade
- Made of fiberglass to be 60% stronger than the EN-3388 shovel standards -> more durable and lightweight to easily lift and use
- Longer handle to save your back from fatigue
- Can dig through highly rooted perennials or rocky, compacted soils and clay
- The blade is small, it can’t scoop much dirt
The durability of this Spear Head Spade is something totally drive our testers insane.
While most shovels that we’ve tested give in rocky, compacted soils and clay, this can rip through them like a dream, making it an outstanding candidate for such harsh terrains. Many customers also commend for its magical performance through highly rooted perennials as well.
Compared to EN-3388 shovel standards, it’s considered 60% stronger and the handle is specifically designed to be longer to help you easily dig and lift with less back pain.
So it’s no strange when the shovel awarded “BEST of the BEST" in garden shovels in 2018 and 2019 by independent test lab BESTREVIEWS.
| Spear Head Spade Specifications | |
|---|---|
Material | Specially reinforced pultruded fiberglass |
Blade Length | 11” |
Handle Shape | Spear shape |
Highlight Features | Lightweight design Longer handle |
If you’re looking for the most durable shovel for metal detecting, look no further.
How To Choose The Best Shovels For Metal Detecting?
Handle Design
This factor is decided by several things:
- The average amount of time you spend on the field
- The longer the time, the more comfortable level the shovel handle.
- You should go for a full-sized model featuring a longer, bigger handle to save your neck and back from feeling pain after hours of digging. If it’s ultra-grippy, the better as your hands will be less likely to blister.
- If you’re just a hobbyist spending dozens of hours to find relics in your backyard, it’s not necessary to invest in a full-sized shovel. Just a mini-sized is enough.
- Characteristics of the soil where you’re about to dig
- If it’s clay or intense soil, you might have to spend extra force on digging.
- In such cases, an O-shaped or D-shaped handle would be more helpful than a spearhead design. Not to say that it’s much easier to hang on somewhere for storage.
Blade Size
- This is important and depends on the obstacles in the soil while you’re digging.
- While small blade sizes are higher in maneuverability and more effort-saving than the big-sized, it can’t handle things like big rocks or roots and vice versa.
Which Brands Make The Best Shovels For Metal Detecting?
Radius Garden
- The inspiration to establish this company was originally from some painful experiences with low-quality metal detecting tools. That’s why their products always put quality and warranty as the two top-notch features. The price, on the other hand, is really good.
Fiskars
- This Finland brand wows us by its extremely long-standing history, since 1649 and of course, it’s now not only a global company specializing in consumer products for outdoors, home, and garden, but also the leader in the markets.
TAC9ER
- TAC9ER is a young brand but on Amazon, it’s one of the best-sellers with a high rating of positive feedbacks from customers. Their products are well-loved not just for the quality or performance but also for the extraordinary caring services.
FAQs
How deep will a metal detector detect?
For coin-sized objects, a good metal detector can detect 6” to 10” deep underground. Besides, this factor is decided by some things:
- The sensitivity settings of your detector
- Proximity of your target to other bigger metallic objects
- The metal composition – non-ferrous or ferrous metals?
- The amount of discrimination you have set
- The size of your target
What metals do not set off a metal detector?
Non-ferrous metals, such as lead, aluminum, copper, brass and especially, manganese is the hardest one to be detected.
Can you find a diamond with a metal detector?
Technically, you can’t. BUT it can help you detect indicator minerals around the precious rock so you can rely on such pieces of information as a sign where the diamond may lay.
Can you find platinum with a metal detector?
Platinum features all the needed characteristics for most metal detectors easily detect so yes, you can.
Do all metal detectors detect gold?
As long as gold nuggets are on the ground and big enough, any metal detector can find them.
Conclusion
It’s your turn now!
No matter which is your go-to, remember not to choose a stainless-steel shovel because it’s really prone to break. If it’s made in the USA, well, the better. Otherwise, don’t forget to pick one with a good warranty or from a reliable brand.
Thanks for reading.
