Is there a good compact shovel out there?

--J said:
I picked up a mil surplus German folding shovel. Heavy, and solid as can be; but I've broken the cheap ones at the worst possible times so heavy is fine with me. And it has a pick on it which comes in pretty handy.
Just found it: https://wardenssupplyco.com/cart/in...h5649f20qpovel81lbrjl5&keyword=Folding+shovel
Or just search warden supply, and check folding shovel, it's the last one on the page for $31.95, (used).
Click to expand...
t
I've got a couple of those, one has a square in the pivot so it folds flat and 90 degrees, the other has a spline so you can open at many positions
It's great for pickaxe type digging.

Ger_Shovel&Case.jpg
 
--J said:
I picked up a mil surplus German folding shovel. Heavy, and solid as can be; but I've broken the cheap ones at the worst possible times so heavy is fine with me. And it has a pick on it which comes in pretty handy.
Just found it: https://wardenssupplyco.com/cart/in...h5649f20qpovel81lbrjl5&keyword=Folding+shovel
Or just search warden supply, and check folding shovel, it's the last one on the page for $31.95, (used).
Click to expand...

I have one of these in every vehicle. Solid as a rock!!!
 
I am a big fan of the Glock folding shovel and the Cold Steel Special Forces shovel. I have used both a lot over the years and they work. Never cared much for the GI shovels as I had several break on me when I was in the Army under normal type shovel use.
 
My buddies and I dug a 12x6x4 ft snow cave last week with a flimsy saw and a SOG etool. The etool held up until we were doing the finishing touches on the cave when it broke at the part that connects the shovel head and the joint. It did the job but it didn't survive the day. The place where I got it gave me in store credit towards anything in the store so I bought a Gerber etool. Feels very sturdy compared to the SOG one and only 8 bucks more. It's thicker steel and heavier because of that. I can't really recommend either because the SOG failed and I havn't used the Gerber yet.
 
My trunk shovel is a USGI issue that I stripped and repainted the head and stained the handle a nice red oak. My pack shovel is a Cold Steel. The CS is a lot lighter but doesn't have the capability to lock in a 90 degree position to use as a pickaxe.
 
Cold Steel Special Forces shovel. I don't own one anymore. My previous two were stolen by my dad and uncle.

I keep forgetting to get another one, with camping season around the corner I'll have to remember to get one.
 
The Cold Steel Special Forces shovel has been mentioned here a couple times, and I'll add my endorsement to that. I have two, and used one extensively. It's less compact than the folding shovels, but usually lighter, and still pretty compact. The sheath can be lashed to just about anything, so it's perfectly fine for carrying around in the woods. I keep one shovel in each of my vehicles - well sharpened - for emergency use.
 
Check out the Walther Stainless Steel Mini folding shovel. It comes with a survival kit, knife, and has a pick.
 
Looks like more than enough endorsements for the C.S. shovel, thanks, I'll get one.
 
Nice to see C.S. mentioned without my having to wipe someones foam specked spittle off the screen. :D I'm hoping to get something far north going this year and the site is sandy soil so it should be a snap for this unit. I'll have to eyeball weight specs first though. It's also a spot were the locals tried to take out two R.C.M.P. one drunken night so there are also small secondary considerations for this tool.
 
Heeheehee a Predator would fit secondary conditions well, but it's no ounce shaver. :)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Heeheehee a Predator would fit secondary conditions well, but it's no ounce shaver. :)
Click to expand...

I remember the first night after we flew into a particular northern location. We were met with the teacherage surrounded by a chain link fence taller than myself at 6'2". We were advised by the mounties to lock the fence at night which we did. The smallish R.C.M.P. facility was about twenty feet from us next door, their fence was lower. A group of about 7-10 children ranging in age from around 6-10 yrs old were out until 2-3 am by themselves, occasionaly tossing a rock at the side of our building, and off the mountie facility. The next day we were walking around for a look see and someone fired a bottle at the 4x4 driven by a female officer. She promptly hit the binders and went after the............whoever. The stories I could tell............Must be something in the water up there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top