Portable Shovel - Top Quality That Will Last ?

Pointshoot777

Pointshoot777

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Feb 16, 2001
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Hi guys - - well I decided to spend a few bucks more and get a Gransfors Buks hatchet & small axe. I've heard nothing but good things about their quality, & after going through some gear through the years, I'm to the point where I'd rather spend a little more & pay for it only once. - - Anyway, I'm now looking for a portable shovel. This will likely be kept in the 4x4, may sometimes be used for building hunting blinds, & for other outdoor tasks. I might also tie it on a pack, - guess it could be useful in building a fire bed in really cold weather. I'd appreciate your suggestions on portable shovels which you've worked hard and had good results with. Thank you and best regards, - - -
 
If it is just going to ride in the truck... I have a full size razorback shovel that is not that great. I was prying w/ the handle end and broke off about 1' of the fiberglass handle. I cut it down to good material and put the rubber cap back on top. For most things I don't miss the extra length, and it rides in a vehicle much better. I like it better than the shorty handles w/ T grip. It is not the Gransfors of shovels, but it works well enough for everything but abuse.
 
I have one of the folding shovels with a pick made for the military back in the 60s - 70s,compact & light enough to pack if I feel it's needed. ( dig a fire pit & recover), You can still find em at a surplus store or EBay.
Goodluck
Jim
 
The Gerber/fiskars folding shovel is heavily built with an excellent handle and spade angle retention system. I have used mine pretty hard and it is still doing well.
 
+1 For the Cold Steel shovel,built tank tough. Can also be used as an emergency canoe paddle when "significant other" loses real paddle over board
 
I have a WWII shovel , well used since I was a kid ,should last forever. My truck shovel is a Glock ,hasn't had nearly the use that the WWII shovel has.This also has a saw.
 
Used to be you could find a folding german shovel that was a clone of the old wooden handled GI shovel for less than $10. I have two, but admit to thinking about a Cold Steel one as well.
 
jeezzz after reading this thread you guys made click on cold steel and by one of there shovels.
 
Look for a surplus German Army folding shovel; much sturdier than the old US ones, and has a pick, too. Paid about $12 Canadian for mine.
 
Get the cold steel. Its a real tank. You can even do a significant amount of chopping with it.
 
I use the army trifold design, all metal shovel like the one I used in the army. Its pretty rugged and stores great and doesn't cost very much.

KR
 
Having had to dig out my truck several times with a GI shovel. I definately believe in the biggest you can carry in your truck kind. You'll appreciate it when your digging out your truck. Now if you had to hump it, that would be a different story.
 
Heck yeah if it stays in the car, go heavy duty, you'll be glad you did. Ice and frozen gravel are a real bear to dig out of if you're stuck.

I only have a Taiwan copy of the US tri-fold shovel... it does what it's supposed to but I wouldn't want to dig a basement with it! Hope that CS shovel works out for you, I hear good things about it.
 
Another fan of the C/S shovel checking in. Sharpen up one side and it works great as a chopper. Quite handy if you are under a truck-high centered!
 
Boy, you hit a soft spot with me! I am an absolute nut when it comes to entrenching tools.

I have the Gerber, old style U.S. folding, Swedish, Cold Steel, West German folding, East German folding, East German fixed, Russian fixed, and probably a few I've forgotten.

Of them, my favorite by a large margin is the West German folding. Aside from having the neatest and strongest folding mechanism, it's built stout and has a tough pick as well.

My second favorite is the Swedish military shovel. It's a true shovel (as opposed to spade) shape, made of good steel and able to take serious abuse.

Of the remainder, none really stand out. I have them, but they don't see much use.

-=[ Grant ]=-
 
Go look at a Army Navy surplus store for the WWII entrenching tool. It is by far the best short shovel that I have found and will take quite and edge also:D
 
0311 G Az said:
Another fan of the C/S shovel checking in. Sharpen up one side and it works great as a chopper. Quite handy if you are under a truck-high centered!
Click to expand...

Yikes, bad memories there! If I'd had a shovel the county plow wouldn't have had to pull me out... :o
 
Thanks guys for all the great suggestions. I used to have an old GI folding that got lost years ago. I've seen cheapo (China/Taiwan copies, I think) that looked pretty lame in terms of durability. So far, I'm leaning toward the West German folding - - but, also want to take a closer look at the Cold Steel. All the best, - -
 
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