The idea of a fixed handle shovel made of tough steel that can also hold a decent edge (not the like of 1055) is not bad at all. I was also thinking whether this could be possible from Busse.
I assume the main challenge here is the cost. A shovel requires a large quantity of steel, eventually thinner than an average Busse knife (like 2mm for example), plus a stamp to form the slightly curved spoon-like shape, plus more space in the oven and freezers for heat treat. All these - which are atypical for what a knife company usually does, would probably require extra cost to set up a dedicated production line, which may not worth it for a limited run series. Put this in the context of the possibility to buy a NATO tri-fold shovel (Ames compatible), featuring grade 8 duraluminium handle and tough steel blade, sturdy enough for heavy use, for just 50 bucks. I guess it would become questionable whether people will be motivated to pay on a Busse shovel more than on a Busse knife.
I will however provide my thoughts, which may be useful for consideration if Busse will ever consider making a shovel at some point:
(1) A shovel that can hold a good edge is something non-existent in the market. So I think there is potential to be well selling, IF managing to build one. I have extensive experience with shovels (including many military and survival models) and I am yet missing one that can hold a good edge. This is due to 2 things:
1.1. Digging is an edge damaging task, as the ground contains small rocks that come in contact with the edge all the time (not just occasionally); thus you cannot have a tool primarily intended for digging and still have it shaving sharp on your belt on a regular basis. This is an enormous challenge for whoever attempts to create a tool intended to join the two worlds - and I think Busse companies are through the very few who have chances to create such a thing.
1.2. There are not too many steels that can bring together the extreme toughness needed by a shovel with the premium knife-like edge holding. I am thinking something more sound than SR-77 (which is not extraordinary in edge retention either). How about a shovel in AEB-L (tough, sharp, and also stainless) ... or, why not SR 3V? With the proper edge angle, grind, and heat treat at a slightly lower hardness (not 61-63 HRC), I think 3V may be able to hold well under digging tasks. Although I'm not a rich man, I would actually pay to have a small shovel in 3V.
(2) A shovel doesn't necessary need to be large. A survival one may be just the size of Paul's hatchet, or just a bit more (e.g. why not Paul's hatchet with a symetrical center line and a tip?). Such a tool would be able to handle any task: from choping, to splitting, slicing, throwing, stabbing, digging, hammering, and improvised spear.
(3) You don't necessarily need to create the spoon-like shape by stamping or bending the steel plate. It can be kept flat, and then worked asymetrically from the grind on the edges plus added a deep fuller as the center line to make it look and feel shovel-shaped.
There are just my thoughts.
needs to be infi tho