Cold Steel Special Forces Shovel. Please stop by and give your opinion.

Interesting recuperated thread. MNH, M, and Booshank offered different accounts of its use as a *shovel* but most appear to like it more for its throwing/weapon uses.

I've found for home use that no e-tool, "spec forces" shovel, etc, really compares to a decent, $10 long-handled shovel. Of the camping/survival types, I've used a few but the ones I still keep in the car are the Glock folding spade w/collapsible handle for any possible heavy work (better than anything I've used in its size, but costliest, too), and a small U-Dig-It, which goes for $12-$25 but is worth every penny -- very effective, indestructible, and w/the handle folded is not much bigger than a multi-tool. Comes w/blk nylon belt pouch. I've only "tested" the Glock and it really performed well and is surprisingly strong (I thought it would bend easily given its light weight).

U-Dig-It comes along for every camping/backpacking trek -- pricey for a small shovel but it will make life so much easier so quickly that it delivers on its cost in no time. Glock? Supposed to be the best (which is why I got it, going w/the hype), and it is significantly better than the GI-type e-tools I've used.

Can anyone compare the Glock vs. the Cold Steel shovel? Glock won't be very good for slaying Sasquatch or the Blair witch, but I'd be curious to see how it performs vs. other good shovels.

Glen


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"What's so funny 'bout peace, love, and understanding?" -Elvis Costello
 
These are fun toys to toss around....they are easy to throw and produce a nice satisfactory "THUNK" when you hit the target. Don't miss very often though because the handles break easily. As a tool I guess a CS shovel would suffice but eh blade is too thin for serious use and the handles aren't very tough.
 
The German and Swiss shovels can be found in Sportsman's Guide and Cheaper than Dirt.
 
Two quick comments. As far as is it a good tool. I was clearing cornstalks from may large garden with several 100 foot rows. It makes a great chopper at ground level and I don't worry about the blade with the occasional rock. I swings and cuts great. The other is the handle durability. Mine broke two years ago with bad throws. We duct taped the crap out of it and it keeps right on ticking. Not pretty but it works great.
 
This past weekend I went off roading and camping on my own. I brough with me a 7" fixed blade, a 3" folder, a small axe, and a small no name folding shovel. I can tell you that without the shovel I won't be typing this reply today. My Jeep got stucked in the mud, all 4 wheels, upto chassis high (my Jeep has 3" suspension lift plus 30" tires). I spent two hours using a high lift jack and the shovel to dig myself out. If I can only have one tool in my Jeep, it will be a shovel, Cold steel or not, but definitely not a knife.
 
I just ordered a couple of shovels from Cheaper Than Dirt. The German shovels run about $9, and the Swiss ones are about $12. They look identical, but I believe the Swiss versions are a tad more robust. In any case, probably a little more sturdy than the Cold Steels.

Squid
 
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