Best Folding Shovel?

[Mark4444]

Who do you guys think makes the best folding shovel? And does anyone know any makers that make a super high end folding shovel?

 

[Baumgarden]

if weight savings is a concern, the near zero titanium shovel. Not a folder per se but it does disassemble.

 

[Riz!]

I bought the Gerber e-tool. I believe its called the folding spade?

It has been an invaluable tool for my camping trips and in the yard. I car camp. It wouldnt be something I backpacked with.

Its durable, comfortable and very handy.

 

[Drop bear]

I have the Chinese folding shovel, hammer, axe, wire cutter, shield, grappling hook.

It is pretty fun.

 

[John A. Larsen]

If you are concerned with weight and size the Fiskars/Gerber folding shovel is your best bet. If you are concerned with actual digging, then none of the folding shovels on the market can compete with the US M1951 e-tool, with the shovel head and pick head. I tested all of they folding shovels, along with the Cold Steel shovel, digging fox holes, 10 minutes at a time, resting another 10 minutes until I had dug for 30 minutes. The M1951 was 18 inches deeper than its nearest competitor, and that was in very rocky soil here in Western Washington. I do keep a Cold Steel shovel in my trunk for emergencies. John

 

[Baumgarden]

I bought the Gerber e-tool. I believe its called the folding spade?

It has been an invaluable tool for my camping trips and in the yard. I car camp. It wouldnt be something I backpacked with.

Its durable, comfortable and very handy.

agree!
I like the Glock shovel, even though it has it's critics, and keep one as an emergency tool in the vehicles.

 

[dogstar]

You can disassemble a non folding shovel and put it back together with a couple of screws, if space is a concern. Also super easy to make a longer handle if you want to spare your back. Check out IA Woodsman's videos on the Cold Steel shovel, I think you will like the content.

 

[Old Biker]

I like the one made by Glock. Lightweight and durable.

O.B.

 

[Baumgarden]

You can disassemble a non folding shovel and put it back together with a couple of screws, if space is a concern. Also super easy to make a longer handle if you want to spare your back. Check out IA Woodsman's videos on the Cold Steel shovel, I think you will like the content.

Better make that a through bolt

I recently picked up a "kids" shovel at a Menards. It's metal and wood, light weight, has the step turned forward, and super cheap. Intentions are to cut it down to a packable length that still allows for a somewhat comfortable use and put it on the side of a pack. I am considering putting a D handle on the end but am looking for ideas for a smaller solution.

 

[dogstar]

Better make that a through bolt

I recently picked up a "kids" shovel at a Menards. It's metal and wood, light weight, has the step turned forward, and super cheap. Intentions are to cut it down to a packable length that still allows for a somewhat comfortable use and put it on the side of a pack. I am considering putting a D handle on the end but am looking for ideas for a smaller solution.

The Cold Steel design is really a friction fit socket; the screws really shouldn't be taking the bulk of the stress you put on the handle. I'm not sure if other shovels are made that way.

 

[Baumgarden]

Does the screw you mention go into wood? If so the repeated assembly would wear on the wood, no?

 

[dogstar]

Does the screw you mention go into wood? If so the repeated assembly would wear on the wood, no?

You have a point. Can't you refill the holes with wood putty every so often?

 

[Baumgarden]

You have a point. Can't you refill the holes with wood putty every so often?

Where there's a will there's a way! Does the friction fit loosen with on/off's?
I guess some pine tar might work.

 

[Wild Willie]

You have a point. Can't you refill the holes with wood putty every so often?

Could probably just drill through the whole thing and use a huck bolt and butterfly nut to hold it together.

I don't have a folding shovel, but I do keep a condor camp shovel around. Came in really handy when we were digging a trench under my brother's porch to replace the collapsed drain tile.

 

[The Zieg]

Not folding, but I have one in each vehicle and have camped with one many times.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-...S3PY-fOsjjL_nQbjMthoCY44QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Zieg

 

[BlindMouse2of3]

I have the Chinese folding shovel, hammer, axe, wire cutter, shield, grappling hook.

It is pretty fun.

Sounds like an xl swiss army knife.

 

[Drop bear]

Sounds like an xl swiss army knife.

I forgot boat paddle and kitchen knife knife.

 

[tiguy7]

The Russians make some nice folding Titanium entrenching tools, but I don’t know if the supply line is affected by the Ukraine fiasco.View attachment 2018621

 

[The Zieg]

I forgot boat paddle and kitchen knife knife.

Inspirational!

Zieg

 

[Hickory n steel]

If I wanted a folding shovel I'd get the venerable old AMES USGI trifold E tool.