Get real answers from outdoor explorers and our product experts. Browse questions about performance, features, and setup — or ask your own to make sure this gear fits your next adventure.
The Apex Pick Badger LT 24-inch is a prospecting pick built with a compact 10.0-inch by 3.5-inch head designed for tight crevices and narrow bedrock seams where full-size picks can't reach. Prospectors working bedrock cracks in desert washes and mountain streams need a tool that balances reach with maneuverability, and the 24-inch hickory handle delivers that middle ground between the portability of a 12-inch model and the increased swing distance of a 30-inch or 36-inch variant. The integrated super magnet on the head pulls ferrous targets from crushed material without stopping to sift, keeping your workflow efficient when you're processing concentrates at the creek edge.
Why Prospectors Reach for the Badger LT 24-Inch
- Compact head geometry for narrow bedrock access: The 10.0-inch by 3.5-inch head fits into crevices and seams that wider picks bridge over, letting you extract material from tight spots where gold concentrates.
- Integrated super magnet for ferrous separation: The magnet embedded in the head pulls black sand and iron fragments from your concentrates as you work, reducing the load you carry back for final panning.
- 24-inch hickory handle balances reach and control: Long enough to work standing bedrock without excessive bending, short enough to pack comfortably and maneuver in confined spaces between boulders.
- 6mm head thickness for durability under impact: The steel head withstands repeated strikes against quartz-veined bedrock and consolidated gravels without chipping or deforming.
- Proudly manufactured in the USA: Built at Apex's facility in the United States for rugged reliability and strict American quality control, designed in collaboration with professional prospectors.
Need more magnet capacity for black-sand-heavy material? The Badger 30-inch with three super magnets triples your ferrous-separation capability for high-volume concentrate processing.
6mm Steel Head Construction for Bedrock Prospecting
The Badger LT head is forged from 6mm steel thick enough to withstand the repetitive impact of breaking up caliche layers and prying apart fractured bedrock without bending. The 10.0-inch length and 3.5-inch width create a profile that fits into hand-width crevices common in granite and schist formations, where gold settles into natural traps. The durable hickory handle naturally dampens vibration and provides excellent shock absorption during extended digging sessions.
- Best for: Prospectors working narrow bedrock crevices in desert washes, mountain streams, and exposed granite formations where a compact head is required.
How it compares to other Apex Badger picks
The Badger series offers three handle lengths and multiple magnet configurations. This table compares the 24-inch single-magnet model against the 30-inch three-magnet and 36-inch single-magnet variants.
| Feature | Badger 30" (3 Magnets) | Badger LT 36" (1 Magnet) | Badger LT 24" (1 Magnet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handle Length | 30in (76cm) | 36in (91cm) | 24in (61cm) |
| Head Size | 10.0in x 3.5in (25cm x 9cm) | 10.0in x 3.5in (25cm x 9cm) | 10.0in x 3.5in (25cm x 9cm) |
| Head Thickness | 6mm | 6mm | 6mm |
| Weight | 4 lbs (1.8kg) | 4 lbs (1.8kg) | 4 lbs (1.8kg) |
| Super Magnets | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Handle Material | Hickory | Hickory | Hickory |
Specifications
- Handle Length: 24in (61cm)
- Head Size: 10.0in x 3.5in (25cm x 9cm)
- Head Thickness: 6mm
- Weight: 4 lbs (1.8kg)
- Handle Material: Hickory
- Super Magnets: 1
- Country of Manufacture: USA
Why Buy from Serious Detecting
Serious Detecting is an authorized Apex Picks dealer, which means every Badger LT ships with the manufacturer warranty and access to Apex's specialized customer support team in the United States. Our team runs prospecting picks in the field, so we answer setup and technique questions from direct experience. Every order over $99 ships free, and our 30-day return policy gives you a full month to test the pick on your local bedrock. We also offer a price-match guarantee if you find a lower advertised price on the same model. For prospecting tool comparisons and bedrock crevicing techniques, visit our metal detecting tips and FAQs page.
Customer Questions & Expert Answers
Customer Reviews & Field Feedback
See what real detectorists and prospectors are saying. Read authentic experiences from the field, discover what users love most, and learn how this product performs in real-world conditions. Share your own review to help fellow explorers choose with confidence.
Recently Viewed Gear
Last products you explored