Folding Shovels

[rmuzz]

Can anyone recommend a good durable folding shovel? I bought one a while back at a surplus store... something like this. Not the exact one, but something like it. It did not hold up well.

I want something that I can beat up on, the last one I had I bent it pretty good not long after I started using it. I though maybe something like this surplus "German Army Shovel" could work better.






Was wondering if anyone could direct me towards a specific shovel or manufacturer that I could buy something that I can depend on. If there are good options for one of those folding ones, where can I find a good one... not a cheap knock off that will fail on me.

I guess to make this a post on non-firearms weapons and not camping gear I will say that I saw them using an entrenching tool on "Deadliest Warrior: Green Beret vs. Spetznaz" the other day. Ballistic knife looked cool, but lacks the practicality (and legality) that I need I guess haha. Got me thinking to replacing that piece of damaged gear of mine. Not looking to crush any skulls with it, more just to help set up a campsite/wilderness survival shelter Thanks in advance for your help guys.

 

[sniper5]

For using as a shovel-Glock. They are so comfortable to use I often grab it for small jobs in my garden instead of any other tool in the shed.

For all around usefulness-Special Forces Shovel by Cold Steel. You can use it as a shovel, ax, paddle, frypan, grill, weapon, knife, etc. Unfortunately it's OK at all those jobs and not good at any of them.

I have the glock in my wife's car and the SFS in my car.

 

[rmuzz]

Ill check those out, thanks!

 

[cyclopsshooter]

look for the old ames surplus m-1956 intrenching shovels from the 50s and 60s that have both a shovel and a pick- they are getting kinda pricey but there is nothing better

if you are on a budget look for an m1910 from WWII, still eally durable

 

[p35]

I have a fixed blade shovel- I think East German but looks like the Swiss ones- that's one of the most useful pieces of camping gear I own. Unless you plan to backpack it think about looking for one of those.

Since I got curious, here's the link to check out: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/sear...Default.asp+KW+Box&s=SEARCH&a=search&k=shovel

 

[James T Thomas]

knee deep

Your post about folding shovels just would not let me get away without an _alternate_answer.

During my military tour of duty I found that digging that foxhole was just as the Sarge said. It was a life saver.

And I also found that it was even more difficult to dig that hole under fire.
Of course!

The solution was to get rid of the folding things and go to the "Engineer Kit" and get...the D-handled shovel. "We;" the men I was with found the full size shovel- not that much harder to hump through the jungle with, and when we needed it, -then it was worth it.
If the bullets were flying, and I wasn't directly returning fire, I could dig a shoulder deep hole double time. We all became like miners or mole men. Well, you get the idea.

So why not at least consider the hardware store shovel?
More sturdy. Go ahead and beat up on it. It can take it.

Green Beret? Spetznaz? You can use the full size model like a bayonetted rifle and parry. And butt stroke, and thrust, and smash, and crush skulls if you change your mind.

But where the D-handle comes in really handy will be in setting up that campsite/wilderness shelter. You will be surprised how much easier it is to use than the bending over, squatting down that you must do with the folding one.

And besides, the full size model can be used back at home for gardening too.

Final note though. They sure aren't as cool looking as those surplus spades!

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I agree a full size on can be had with a shorter handle for camping mine has a 4 1/2 foot handle on it.

 

[karlsgunbunker]

Sportsmans Guide has a 2 pack of Czech Surplus shovels for $17-18.

check the military surplus section.

 

[alaskanativeson]

The Gerber folding spade is a great choice for a small folding shovel. I actually prefer it over the Glock shovel because the handle is easier to use for long periods. Of course the Glock has the advantage of having the saw in the handle which is a nice touch, but comfort wins out out for me.

 

[rcmodel]

To be fair, the Glock handle slides out and locks in position, making it twice as long as the closed one in the picture above.

I have kept one in the truck for about 10 years now, and you ain't gonna wear one out digging potatos in the garden I betcha!

rc

 

[AStone]

Does anyone know the weight of the Gerber Folding Spade?

I'm in the market for a good quality, yet light weight, shovel to carry in a backpacking rig for clearing/leveling camp spaces in the back country.

I see the Glock is 24 oz.

Added by edit: 40 oz. Found here.

That's a bit heavy for my use.

Here's the Gerber Folding Shovel at 28 oz. Seems short, though, at only 16".

 

[alaskanativeson]

I just put my Gerber spade (the one here ) on my postal scale, it came up to 37 oz. When extended it's 23" end to end. I don't have my Glock with me up here in Alaska but according to the Cabela's site it's 24 oz and 25" when fully extended. The Gerber from that Botach site is a smaller one with a different handle than mine, the one I linked to on the Cutlery Shoppe site is the one I prefer, it makes digging a lot easier for me because of the ergonomics.

 

[PandaBearBG]

I vote old school E-Tool, used it heavily for 6 years, digging fighting holes, ****ting holes, used it to chop down small trees and bush (for sighting in mortars), as a seat to keep my ass dry in the mud, shoveled my car out with it when it was the cold snow blizzards in Ohio, digging out ditched cars with buried tires, to just chopping down weeds and scrubby shrubs now a days. Pretty ugly now, a little heavy, still stays sharp for a shovel, never dents/bends/chips, pretty much indestrucible, compact and takes 2 secs to open her up. Bend the head and you got a pick ax and can scrap, pick, gouge the ground. And it is a certified killling tool, used in almost every war by the Marines. Forget the Gerber knock offs, and expensive little ditty's just get a good ole, used NATO spec, all steel, triangle handled, folding Etool, It will never break (I tried) and is one of the most faithful tools I have ever had and never let me down.

 

[MrFox]

I have a german (west? I think?) folding shovel that I keep in my car. It is fixed, but the blade and pick fold in for easier carry. There is a big metal push pin kind of thing that locks it open, or at a 90 degree angle for maximum digging powers.

I've done all sorts of stuff with it. The normal dig out snowed in cars, dig holes, dig bushes, hit trees, throw it, break things with the spikey end, break through an old door just to see if I could, etc etc.

They can be found on Ebay. I would higly recomend them. Plus, its an awesome head bonking shovel.

 

[Boom-stick]

I've got a NATO tri-fold shovel, got it from a surplus store when re-doing my SHTF list. Only really use it for picking up dead rabbits that the local foxes leave on my lawn, it does work for digging but give me a full size shovel any day.

Most of these compact type tools rarely perform as well as their bigger brothers, for either a utiliy or SD useage.
On a side note, that's why I leave a set of 36" bolt cutters in the car. We get a few rogue wheel clampers round here, in South London, illegally clamping cars on private roads. Taking out a set of36" cutters and saying "either you take the boot off or I will" yields positive results everytime

 

[5Rfanatic]

I found an old e-tool in my shed the other day and brought it out. It is I guess from the 70's just the one fold out shovel head. That thing is about the most durable shovel I have ever used. I sanded off all the rust and sharpened it up and talk about a versatile tool I have even been able to use it as a throwing weapon (kinda hard on the target), and the blade is still sharp and the wooden handle still intact.

 

[rcmodel]

these compact type tools rarely perform as well as their bigger brothers, for either a utiliy or SD useage.

Oh I don't know. For digging a well or laying pipe maybe.

But try digging a fox-hole with a full-size shovel while being shot at.
The shorter size will prevail.

rc

 

[PTK]

If you can find one, the hardwood (hickory?) handled, spring-loaded folding mechanism, thick gauge steel shovel with pick surplussed from Germany is a winner. I bought one for $20 or so, and it's held up to all sorts of use.

http://www.armysurpluswarehouse.com/product/german-folding-shovel-with-pick-3068.cfm

 

[mljdeckard]

I have seen these import "deluxe model" e-tools, but I have found I can do anything I need to with an army-issue e-tool. And they are cheap enough you can throw one in every trunk, tool box, and bug-out bag.

And yes, in one incident which I choose not to completely describe, I did use one to knock a guy over with the back side of the blade. He had a**-kick all over ove side of his face after the incident, which was snickered over, but never investigated by my drill sergeants.