entrenching shovel

dogboye

dogboye

Gold Member
Joined
Nov 23, 1999
Messages
7,149
OK, I'm trying to go through a search I did, and getting a little too much information. So, I'm going to boil it down to this: I'm wanting to get a compact or folding entrenching type shovel that I can store in the Jeep for emergencies. This is after I found myself quite a ways up in the mountains of WV this weekend when the storm came through, without any said shovel. Kinda up the creek without a paddle, almost literally. Should I go for the top of the line that I can find and research (like maybe the Glock version?), or just go with the standard US Army et shovel and be done with it? Pros and cons? Anyone?

"Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?"

Thanks.
 
i would go for a basic cheaper than dirt surplus shovel, they have a lot of different kinds, all are built to take punishment, and are a great value.
i have a cold steel shovel and would highly reccomend it as it is extremely robust.
the folding or nonfolding e-tools are also built like a tank. you cant go wrong with them. the glock is somewhat hightech, lighter than a lot fo shovels but you are carrying it in your vehicle, not humping it around with your rucksack so weight should not be an important criteria.

alex
 
I have the Glock. It is extremely light, but not extremely strong. Its light weight and compactness make it perfect for hiking. I use it for geology, and almost always have a rock hammer along with for breaking up rough stuff.

I'd think that you would want something a lot sturdier than mine. Maybe a one-piece like the Cold Steel would be better suited. If you want something that can take a beating, you may not be satisfied with any folding shovels/spades/Etools

Scott
 
I've broken almost every commercially available folding E-tool out there. The Rothco/Coleman/Cheapo commercial stuff goes in a matter of seconds. I have yet to see one that would dig a hole deep enough to crap in.

The US military stuff lasts a while longer, as does the glock and the Gerbers. As far as the folders go, the German ones seem to last the longest.

The ones that seem to last the longest is the single piece units. The Cold Steel ones are excellent. I've also taken a regualr shovel from the local hardware store and cut about 12 inches off the shaft and reinstalled the handgrip. It's a little bulkier, but moves greater volume.
 
I've had the CS shovel for about 5 years and it works great. I carry it in my car in the winter and have used it hard digging around the house/working under the house. I have treated it rough and still have the original handle. Best impulse buy I ever did.:D



Dean
 
Thanks guys. I think I can sorta rule out the Glock shovel. Not because it isn't good, but because it sounds like I'd be paying more for features that I don't really need. I like the looks of either the Gerber/Fiskars shovel, or a tri-fold that I saw in www.actiongear.com. The Cold Steel shovel obviously looks the heaviest duty, but at the cost of BEING the heaviest, I imagine. Not a big deal for the use that I'm considering. But, so far I can't recall finding anywhere the overall length of the CS shovel. {edit- DOH!Just found the OAL, really easy. Was staring me in the face: 20 inches. Vs. 23 inches for most of the rest unfolded, I believe.} Then there is the standard old GI version. It really sounds like they all will do everything that I'd probably use them for.

Anyway, thanks for the help. Definitely gives me some things to consider. Plus, I really hadn't considered the CS shovel before.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top