Trowel vs. Survival Knife

[portraitartist]

This is probably gonna raise some interesting points, but I was wondering what you guys think about my using a survival knife as a digging tool...

I used to have one of those made-for-coinshooting trowels with the rubber handle, etc... but it was lost... I got the survival knife from my brother as an Xmas gift...

I personally love it as a digging tool - not only can I slice thru just about anything in the ground (roots, thick grass, etc) but since I hunt in high-trash areas, I can use it as a probe and have actually developed my own method of "skewering" aluminum bottle caps like a spear and pulling them right out of the ground without even making a dent in the grass...

So, I guess my question is - do you see any possible caveats in using this really imposing-looking tool in hunting around town? Y'all think it might scare some people, or possibly get me in trouble with the law? I can say that I haven't had any ne'er-do-well's come near me as of yet, and I feel really safe having it with me, since a lot of the places I hunt could be considered "questionable" in their safety...

Any insight is appreciated!

[RingDancer]

If it works use it! Better make sure your detector is in the other hand or you might scare some poor little old lady! Then she might call the law!
I have a 14 inch screwdriver I use for backup! lol!

Sorry can't give you much help here! Maybe someone else can help with that question. Or ask your local police officer.

Pat

[portraitartist]

Thanks, Pat!

I carry the knife in my left hand, and I hold it upside down and tuck the blade against the underside of my arm... so, basically, from the front, you cannot really tell what I'm holding... and I supposed in cooler weather I could even tuck the blade up in my sleeve, that way it's hidden almost totally....

I guess I'm just concerned about scaring anyone, basically, and I don't want to be handcuffed and thrown in the back of a cop car for carrying a knife on a school ground, y'know? Kinda of a buzz-kill...

But my main reason for carrying it is that I can leave a place virtually invisible of my being there... I dug about 60 coins yesterday at a nearby spot, and I can honestly say that the average person walking in the park will not see my work. I believe that's one of the most impt. parts of what we do - respect for the property we're hunting - because even a spot that is open to the public can become closed if you leave it trashed...

Originally Posted by Pat

If it works use it! Better make sure your detector is in the other hand or you might scare some poor little old lady! Then she might call the law!
I have a 14 inch screwdriver I use for backup! lol!

Sorry can't give you much help here! Maybe someone else can help with that question. Or ask your local police officer.

Pat

[WVaTom]

i use a digger cause of all the roots,rocks and depth. i do sharpen it up real well though.

[Toadie]

I use a bayonet I bought at Cheaper Than Dirt over in Fort Worth TX that works fine. I haven't had any run in lately with the local PD so I am sure it is okay. Depends I reckon on how many people complain to them. If they see you using it in a reasonable way, then they may not say a word. I found it best to call the local PD and ask them questions and let them know what you are doing and where. Sulphur Springs Police Department has even borrowed my detector a few times to search for weapons that were hidden in high grass. Commerce PD use mine a regular basis to do the same and to locate "evidence" lost in the field. I found it pays off to have a close relationship with the local and county law enforcement agencies. Never hurts to check local laws concerning bladed weapons to make sure you don't get a rookie wanting to be a horses rearend.
James

[swizzle]

I like to use my trusty meat cleaver for chopping through roots and a sturdy 9 iron for making lots of plugs. Oh yeah and some quarter sticks help bust through that frost line in no time. J/K if I was you I'd use a slim trowel with a sharpened edge for school area's and places full of people. No need to give us a bad name by scaring off people who are just curious about what your doing. Maybe even buy another survival knife and modify it so it doesn't look like a potential murder weapon.

[SGTFDA]

Not only do I carry a Bowie knife while detecting I carry a Bond arms 410 derringer on my belt. Just in case!

[Gregory]

In this day and age you got to

[Toadie]

I guess I am not the only one packing when I go detecting. I usually carry my Ruger .44 Redhawk (Texas Concealed Handgun Licensed) in a shoulder holster. The wife normally has a Glock 10 mm.(again, licensed)


We have had only one bad encounter with a guy and come to find out he was running from the police. Threw a gun in the weeds.. Let Commerce PD borrow our detectors to locate it. Since then they boroow them all the time. Right now they have Crystals GTA 350.

That was our only people encounter. Have had several wild hog encounters while on the river. Those are some animals I hope none of you ever encounter while out. They do not need a reason to attack. They just normally do. Henceforth the Ruger .44.

James

[Gregory]

Never seen one of them hogs James although I have read about them. I believe they have a wicked bite