time for a new shovel

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
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I've been using a small garden trowel I got at home depot for about 8 bucks.. for most of my small camp digging needs. worked allright up to this point.. I went on a wild plant walk yesterday, and in the process of digging up sasafrass and burdock roots the trowel became bent beyond recognition.. I bent it back but it just melts like butter under mild strain (must be my super human strength LOL) Good thing I wasn't depending on it...Looking into getting a new one any Recommendations for any type of packable camp shovel or trowel? I've also been thinking about making a fire hardened digging stick..but the narrow point seems like it'd make digging alot more work.
 
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I like the Glock Etool personally, but if you want something smaller to save on space, you might look into the u-dig-it folding hand shovel. I've not used one, but it looks pretty sturdy and I've considered getting one. Maybe someone here has used one and can reply on it. Gerber makes a pretty small one called a Gorge shovel too.
 
I keep a Glock shovel in my truck. Very light , has a saw in the handle, folds fairly compact, well made .
 
I don't get enough use out of a dedicated shovel to carry one, but sometimes I'll bring a blue, plastic trowel that I found in the gardening section at Meijer. Very cheap (probably ~$5) and quite unlikely to break. Also has a hollow handle if you want to stash a few things.

But if you really prefer a shovel, I think the Glock one is a decent choice. I just can't justify the weight.
 
For hiking, I carry a small, anonymous plastic trowel. For camping I'm going to try a Cold Steel shovel, I've heard nothing but good things about them.
 
I carry a Fiskars garden trowel - made of some form of composite, which is pretty tough and very light. It's also only about $5. I am going to try the U-Gig-It now, after seeing them all of Bryan Breeden's kits. I know he doesn't baby his tools and he wouldn't be carrying it if he didn't use it. Sound endorsement to me. Other than that, I use an old WWII, wood-handled e-tool with the pick on it. I got it for next to nothing at a flea market years ago and it was in like-new condition. I got lucky, when in the Infantry, and traded a lazy grunt out of it for one of those black fold-up jobs you just can't appreciate after using the WWII version. I used one as a kid a lot and cam to appreciate the functionality over the little extra weight. The only draw-back is that it's pretty obvious that you may have the intention of "digging" because it's pretty ovbvious it's a shovel.
 
I used to use a small orange plastic shovel. I still have it and will take it when going light. But I really prefer my Cold Steel shovel now that I've tried it. It is heavier. But in snowy weather is a lot more useful. I keep it in my vehicle when I'm not out in the woods. I did put a rough edge on the sides with a file: it can handle some light chopping fairly well. Not familiar with the Glock, but many rave about those.
 
555 said:
I still like and use an old style army shovel.
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+1:thumbup: I never bend one of them:D
In my case its the old M43, but I have one of the T-handle M10 as well.
I know I could go lighter, but I just dont see the need to.

Peter
 
I have never carried a shovel when I go out but I recently recieved one for free as part of a promitional deal. It looks similiar to the one below and it works pretty well.

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I have to say I don't use a shovel alot, but if foraging for roots, Particularly the heavily imbedded ones it makes it particularly easier.
 
go with the cold steel shovel, built like a tank, you can get some surplus shovels from cheaper than dirt also, i have had two fo the cold steel models and they are sturdy, take a file to the edges and it will do some chopping , i would think it would be a fearsome weapon with the edges sharpened, but looks like just a shovel .

alex
 
RescueRiley said:
I have to say I don't use a shovel a lot, but if foraging for roots, Particularly the heavily imbedded ones it makes it particularly easier.
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My primary use is for 'cat holes.' After that it's more a contingency item: snow cave, snow brake, chipping through ice for water (try that w/ a plastic trowel!), cleaning mud off boots, fire hole, etc...
 
Hey Riley,

If you're going after Burdock (Arctium sp.) root, you'll also need a pick! :D

Was this another Steve Brill hike?

Doc
 
I've had a Cold Steel Spetznaz shovel since they first came out with it. I've used it for camping, gardening, throwing, and clearing brush. Still has the original handle! A great product.
 
Thanks for the input guys.... Doc, it started out as a Steve brill Hike but he called it early as it was raining pretty hard.. I've since spent the rest of the weekend foraging, mostly
Field garlic, Garlic mustard, Ladies Thumb, Burdock, and sassafrass.. Making some sass Tea tonight...
 
I recently did some shovel research for a shovel to bring on horse pack-in trips for elk hunting. I ended up getting the Cold Steel shovel and am very happy with it. Here's the research I did for anyone interested.
MANUFACTURER HANDLE WEIGHT DIMENSIONS FOOTLIP APROX. PRICE
Glock e-tool Folding 23.6oz. 10"/25" No $45
Cold Steel Straight 26oz. 20" Yes $35
Gerber Fiskas Folding 36.5oz. 9.4/33" Yes $44
Lesche MIL Folding ? 29" ? $68
 
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