Description
The Motley Forest Shovel is the double-serrated, adjustable travel spade for ground that fights back: root mats, forest floor, and packed pasture. Most detecting spades are one welded length that never fits a suitcase, a backpack, or an airline bag, so they stay home on the trips where the best ground is. Motley built the first fully adjustable travel concept spade: a quick-release clamp sets the shovel anywhere between 66 cm / 26 in and 100 cm / 39.4 in, and it breaks down to fit a suitcase, backpack, bike, boat, or canoe.
At a glance
The Motley Forest Shovel (Forest Fox) is an adjustable-length metal detecting spade of 2 mm (0.08 in) high grade heat treated steel, sandblasted and powder coated. Length adjusts 66 to 100 cm (26 to 39.4 in) with a quick-release clamp. Blade 18 cm (7.1 in) wide by 20 cm (7.9 in) high, serrated on both sides. Weight 1,930 g (4.25 lb). D-shape handle. Made in Europe.
Why the Forest blade and not the Field blade
Motley makes distinct blades for distinct dirt, and dealers who stock only one rarely explain the difference. The Forest blade carries serrations on both sides, so every push and every rocking cut saws through the roots that stop a smooth-edged spade cold. If your permissions are wooded, brushy, or old pasture with heavy root mats, this is your blade. If you hunt plowed fields and softer open ground, the Field V-Point Shovel trades the teeth for a smooth stealth-shaped blade that slices and releases faster. For lawns and parks where a full spade is too much tool, carry the Motley Grass Knife instead.
Specs and what they mean in the field
| Serrated both sides, stealth-shape bent blade | Saws roots in both directions; bent profile releases soil instead of caking |
| Adjustable 66-100 cm (26-39.4 in), quick-release clamp | Set it short for kneeling digs, full length for leverage; no tools needed |
| Travel concept, breaks down compact | Fits a suitcase, backpack, bike, boat, or canoe; hunts travel with you |
| 2 mm (0.08 in) high grade heat treated steel, cold pressed | Motley's cold pressed, heat treated blade is stiff and strong under a full boot drive |
| Blade 18 x 20 cm (7.1 x 7.9 in), hexagon laser cut footplates | Two-way blade with a larger foot surface, so your boot drives it, not your back |
| Forward-angled D-handle, 13 cm (5.1 in) wide | Motley angles grip and blade forward so each dig takes less energy |
| 1,930 g (4.25 lb), sandblasted + powder coat | Full-size spade strength at a carry-all-day weight, in six finishes |
Which Motley digging tool do you need?
| Forest Shovel - this one | Field Shovel | Grass Knife |
|---|---|---|
| Double-serrated blade | Smooth V-point stealth blade | Hand digger, teeth both sides |
| Forest, roots, brushy pasture | Plowed fields, open soil | Lawns, parks, belt carry |
Both spades share the same adjustable travel frame; only the blade changes. Works alongside any metal detector.
What is included
- Motley Forest Shovel in your chosen color (blade, adjustable handle sections, quick-release clamp)
Who you are buying from
History Seekers is an authorized Motley dealer and a working detecting channel: over 1.1 million people follow our hunts on Facebook and YouTube. Everyone here digs their own targets, and the person who answers your call at 256-284-2247 knows exactly why the serrations matter. Every purchase keeps everyday Americans working.
The story is more important than the artifact.