Field Shovels and Hatchets???

T

TXKnives

Joined
Jul 28, 2010
Messages
32
Hello Everyone

Since ESEE hasn't released their own Field Shovels and Hatchets, I am currently in the market to purchase both. What do you guys use for general camping/outdoor/survival use? Any recommendations and pictures are welcome! Thanks
 
I have a trail hawk too...

hawkandblade.jpg
 
As far as shovels go, there's the old straight wooden handle and all metal tri-fold e-tools, the Cold Steel Special Forces Shovel and either Lowe's or Home Depot have a miniture D-handle shovel.
 
I am currently beating on a CS shovel. In a few weeks I will have completed a longer trip with it and can give good feedback. So far, I can say I am pleased.

I take no credit for trying this - on another forum it was pointed out that it could also be a backup paddle (which peaked my interest) as well as all the other chopping, cutting, use it as a skillet, grill, etc...

It digs well, the sheath is nice enough, I've stripped the shine off the handle and need to walnut stain it darker or paint it black...but I like it so far. I know this already - its better than any e-tool the army ever gave me. lol!

BTW - here's a link to some pretty cool defensive tactics - its in russian, but you get the idea by watching:
http://www.survivaltopics.com/forums/self-defense/2778-shovel.html

I'm still holding my vote though until I can beat on it more and over a nice long trip.
 
I've heard a lot of great things about the Cold Steel and the Gerber shovels. The folding military type you really need to be careful with, you get what you pay for. During my years in the Marine Corps I broke 4-5 of them through normal field use.
 
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I used chemical stripper to remove the yucky black paint. Then forced the start of a patina by soaking it in vinegar for a few hours. The coloring on the handle is burned in.
 
I own the Cold Steel Special Forces shovel and the Glock E-Tool. The Glock shovel is smaller to carry and has a saw...but I've honestly never used it...I always grab my Cold Steel shovel.

Surplus shovels I've seen are hit or miss when it comes to condition and ease of use (folding and whatnot, cracks in wood, loose parts, rust), but the Cold Steel is a one peice deal and is pretty light.


As for hatchets/hawks...again Cold Steel. I've got the Trail Hawk and after a little bit on the belt grinder the edge is great. As they come they are pretty crappy. I also put some linseed oil on the handle. Hawks aren't really my thing for outdoor use, I find machetes to be better, so I don't have any extensive time with the Trail Hawk, but judging from the tons of people who own/customize them I'm sure they are tough.
 
JohnQTaxpayer said:
A little pricier, but Keith Johnson has been selling some of his hawks here. See the latest (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=765061). Just got mine today, and I must say I am definitely more pleased with it vs my Cold Steel trail hawk..
Click to expand...

i read this and had to go to the mailbox and check.. my hawk is here too! very nice! i've played with some CS hawks before but never bought ine. would like something with a hammer poll.

for actual axes or hatchets the GB, Wetterlings or Snow and Nealy get good reviews, or a vintage head off ebay.

for shovels i have a CS and a Glock, and several 99¢∑ garden trowels by Fiskars from WalMart. those are good for catholes..
 
CS Trail Hawk for sure.

I'm still looking for my own shovel too. But the Axe Hawk, the answer is CS Trail Hawk.
 
They make great field tools, I am in the Army and I used both of them, I have both of them in my home and would not be scared if I had to depend on them for my life.

RickJ
 
If you want compact when it comes to shovel then look at the Gerber E-Tool. If you don't mind it being a bigger package the the Cold Steel Special Forces shovel. And if you look into it maybe you can even score an authentic Spetsnaz shovel.

If you want a hatchet you should look at GH, Wetterlings and Snow. IF you want a hawk then CS is the way to go.
 
Didn't somebody on the woodsmonkey site do a review on the Gerber Gorge? I remember awhile back they did a review on it and that person loved it. So you might want to look at that too.
I personally would only like a CS SF shovel. A one piece design that is hard to break. I can't count on how many tri-fold e-tools I have broken. I have an older single fold from my dad, when he was in the military, that almost 17 years old and still going strong. I use it for every digging and root chopping tasks around the yard. I can always depend on it in the winter for a quick dig out in emergencies.
 
GEC said:
I can't count on how many tri-fold e-tools I have broken.
Click to expand...

replace the rivets with Grade 8 bolts and nuts from the hardware store.

i'd double nut everything, up to you if you use lockwashers or not... bou==ut a nut and a locknut with RED loctite should do just fine.
 
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