A ‘Mittens’ for a Shovel

The times of treasure hunters are back. “Black” and “green” searchers look for artifacts of past eras, dedicating all their free time to this pursuit. All in the hope of finding a coin hoard or a weapons cache. One cannot condemn them — times are hard. Better, if possible, to help.

One of the main tools of the searchers is shovels from the Finnish company Fiskars, with very sharp blades that are hard to dull.

When transporting them with the blade uncovered, you can injure yourself or fellow passengers, especially on public transport. Wrapping them in rags is also not a solution, and it is not neat either.

I suggest making and putting on the shovel blade a simple sheath sewn from artificial leather (or better still — from natural leather: it is stronger, withstands cuts; scrap pieces will do as well).

The sheath pattern is easy to make — trace the shovel outline onto paper, add seam allowances, and cut it out with scissors.

It is better to sew it on a sewing machine for thick materials or, if possible, take it to a tent or shoe workshop.

First, sew the fastening tabs around the perimeter on the back part of the sheath.

Then sew the Velcro fasteners onto the front and back parts of the sheath according to the drawing: the soft (loop) parts onto the “ears,” and the hook parts onto the front.

Finally, sew both halves together. The sheath is ready. All that remains is to insert the shovel blade and fasten the tabs.

Reliable and convenient! Proven in practice.

Other material options are heavy fabric (teza) and canvas.

An extra option for the item is to use the sheath, when needed, as a waist pouch for finds.

“Modelist-Konstruktor” No. 4’2016, A. MATVEYCHUK