VIDEO: Christmas Road Trip KEY LARGO

THURSDAY: What is This ???

It's Thursday, and that means WHAT IS THIS ?

I was not sure of what I had when I unearthed this.  So much so that I placed it in my pouch where I usually put the bottle caps and junk.  After the dig, we all gathered for our customary "look what I found" round table.  It was then that I learned exactly what it was.

This is a HEEL PLATE.  

Miriam Webster describes it as: a metal plate (as one designed to protect against wear) for the heel of a shoe.  In days gone by, people would have them nailed to the soles of their shoes to extend the wear. 

This one was a little folded when I found it and the holes were filled with soil - perhaps why I didn't recognize it right away.

Here are some pictures of vintage heal plates.  Some people call them toe taps.

Remember to hold on to your 'unidentified' items.  

Get a second opinion before throwing them out.

That's it for today.  Until tomorrow.

KEEP IT REAL

TUESDAY: Tip / Gear Day

YouTube TIP

Today's tip comes from the DETECTORISTA.

He has come up with a great way to film your dig.  I'm calling it the "Shovel Cam".  I have seen a lot of videos where a camera is secured to the shaft of a metal detector.  I don't know about you, but after a couple of swings I tend to get a little dizzy watching.  This is a welcome idea.

Check out the DETECTORISTA's channel: Detectorista!

If you have a tip that you would like me to share, let me know !!!!!

Likewise, if you have found some new gear and think it's amazing, let me know !!!!!

That's about it for today.  Until tomorrow, KEEP IT REAL.

WEDNESDAY VIDEO: 2016 Year In Review

MONDAY: Metal Detecting Meme

NOT NOW....I'M METAL DETECTING !

Exactly !!!

Until tomorrow, stay warm and 

KEEP IT REAL

FRIDAY: FINDS DAY

Today's find is pretty special.  It was unearthed from a Victorian pasture, where most relics and older coins date to the mid 1800s.

It is a CANNETILLE style ring.  

Cannetille is a close relative of filigree work. It typically features fine gold wires. Jewelry with cannetille was very popular in the 1820's and 1830's. Motifs included tendrils, scrolls, coils, beehives and spider-like rosette ornaments. Colorful gemstones tend to embellish the pieces. Most of these stones were relatively inexpensive, at least compared to diamonds, and this fitted the trend of creating jewelry at a minimum expense. 

Here is a video of my digging buddy Kelly and I unearthing the beauty.

This is why I love metal detecting.  You just never know what history is going to give up.

Enjoy your weekend.  See you on Monday.

KEEP IT REAL

THURSDAY: WHAT IS THIS?

Today's "what is this" comes from the Victorian pasture where most relics and coins are dated mid 1800s.

This is made of brass.  It is supposed to sit on something?  Is it a sight of some kind?

Upside down side view

Looking from the top

Upright side view.  Did that round part cradle something?

View from underneath

This one has me stumped.

If you have any idea, please let me know.

Until tomorrow, KEEP IT REAL.

WEDNESDAY VIDEO:The Horseshoe Blooper

Today is Wednesday, and that means a video.

Today's video is a blooper.  My digging buddy Kelly was absolutely convinced she had a horseshoe in the hole.  Well, it didn't turn out that way.



Hope you enjoy.

Until tomorrow, stay warm and KEEP IT REAL.

TUESDAY: Tip / Gear Day

Today I am going to feature a digging tool.  

I have owned one for about 3 months and I must say it is fantastic.

Officially, it is called the MODEL 85 Digging Tool and is made by Lesche aka Predator Tools.

To borrow some information from the website:

The model 85 and 75 were Designed for Digging with Surgical Precision. The Digging Tool” is a heavy sharpened trowel with one edge sawtoothed for root cutting and a large handguard for user safety.These tools are made for 4130 Chrome-moly Virgin Steel, Aircraft Quality Heat Treated and Temper for Super Strength.

Features:

The blade has teeth for cutting roots.

The handle is 4 ½" long with a hand guard to protect your hand from sliding down onto the blade. This tool also comes with a new improved sheath made from codura. This sheath may be carried on your belt. Due to the Costs of shipping that keep going up, Shipping and Handling 12.00

Dimensions: 

11 ¾" overall length, 1 7/8" wide x 7 ¼" long blade

Weight : Approx 14 oz.

It sells for $45.95 USD and is available directly from  Predator Tools

You can also purchase it in Canada.  I found one online for $70.95 CDN at Carry All Canada

Most people set out metal detecting with inferior gear.  Do yourself a favour and purchase the good stuff sooner than later.  You will be glad you did.

Yesturday I released an UPDATE video on YouTube.  Have a peek and remember to LIKE, SHARE, COMMENT and SUBSCRIBE.

That's it for today.  Until tomorrow, KEEP IT REAL

MONDAY: Metal Detecting Meme

It's Monday, and that means time for a meme.

Today's meme features Giorgio A. Tsoukalos from the series ALIENS.  Who doesn't love Giorgio ??

The weather here is frightful.  About 6 inches of snow.  If there was the least bit of hope about sneaking in a metal detecting session - this snow has quashed that idea.

That's about it for today.  See you all tomorrow.

KEEP IT REAL

War for the Planet of the Apes | Official Trailer | 20th Century FOX

FRIDAY FINDS

It's Friday, and that means it's time to showcase some metal detecting finds.

A piece of horse tack

Junk - there is always junk

1916 Canadian Large Cent

Obverse

1837 American Large Cent

Obverse - absolutely beautiful.  LIBERTY is clearly seen.

1900 Canadian Large Cent - Queen Victoria

Reverse

Flat button 

Nice shank

1907 Canadian Large Cent

Reverse

These all came from the same dig.  

There is always junk to be found - but the treasures make it worthy.

Enjoy your weekend.  If you can get out and do some metal detecting, by all means do !!!! The Canadian winter weather is here - so I will be spending my 'off time' researching and cleaning finds.

KEEP IT REAL

WHAT IS THIS?

It's Thursday, and that means WHAT IS THIS?

Today's item is made of iron.  It was unearthed in a Victorian pasture in Ancaster Ontario Canada, where the majority of relics found are dated to the mid 1800s.  I thought perhaps some kind of cap, but the underside has no threading and is hexagonal.

The item measures 9cm in diameter.

This side is hexagonal.

The profile is approximately 3cms high.

This one has me baffled.

That's it for today, see you tomorrow.

KEEP IT REAL

WEDNESDAY VIDEO: Digging With Kids (Ep.3)

DIGGING WITH KIDS episode 3

It's Wednesday, and that means a video.  Today's video is DIGGING WITH KIDS ep 3.  This is the third installment in my new video series where I do some metal detecting with kids of all ages.  

This particular episode was filmed on the grounds of a 1950s high school which is scheduled to be torn down.  The school borders on very historical land.  Now a park, it was once home to a horse racing track in the mid 1800s.  It also served as a victorian picnic site.

My guest unearthed some modern clad coins, as well as one nice relic - an old belt buckle.

Enjoy the video.



It is cold and snowy in my neck of the woods.  No more metal detecting this year :-(

Until tomorrow, KEEP IT REAL. 

Tuesday Tip Day

TUESDAY TIP

Today's tip comes all the way from Orillia, Ontario Canada.

Most Canadians are witnessing an end to the metal detecting season.  It is time to clean one's gear and stow it away for the Spring.

Jeremiah, known as Jthreeb, posted a video reminding us all to remove the batteries from our gear before stowing it.  A great tip.  

Check out Jeremiah's channel and tell him the Digging Canuck sent you :-)

Here's the link: Jthreeb Metal Detecting

That's about it for today.

Until tomorrow, KEEP IT REAL

Monday Metal Detecting MEME

It's Monday, and that means it is time for a MEME !!!

I don't always tell people where I hunt, 

but when I do, I'm lying

Can anyone else relate?

Enjoy your Monday.

Until tomorrow, KEEP IT REAL

Friday Finds

FRIDAY FINDS

Here are some of items I unearthed on my first ever metal detecting adventure.

1891 Canadian Large Cent (reverse side)

1891 Large Cent (front side) Queen Victoria

Junk - there will always be junk !!!

The DM pin was from a 1980s DEPECHE MODE concert.

Be sure to subscribe to my blog so you don't miss out on any future postings.  If there is something that you would like me to write about, please let me know.

Until next time - KEEP IT REAL

WHAT IS THIS Thursday

WHAT IS IT ???

Here is an item I unearthed in a Victorian Pasture.  The majority of the older finds date to the mid 1800's.

I have no idea what this is.

Can you help to identify it?

If you have an idea of what this is, I would appreciate the information.

That's about it for today.

KEEP IT REAL