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folding shovel

C

cjd1980

Joined
Sep 3, 2008
Messages
236
hey guys im looking for a folding shovel for my survival kit ( the one that live in my car) was wondering what you guys would recomend or use looked around yesterday and found a lot of options just looking to narrow it down a little thanks chris :)
 
I havent had much luck with any folding shovels holding up to hard use so I went to the Cold Steel Spetznatz copy that is TUFF! As long as its being carried in your car I'd certainly recommend it over a folder. You can also sharpen up the edges and chop brush and light wood with it and its fun to throw.--KV
 
Yep, the CS is a good choice-one rides in my work car. I also use the old mil "entrenching tool" in my jeep. can be found most surplus stores or online and the "pick" function sometimes is helpful as well as the hoe setup.
 
I keep a real shovel in my car. One of the square-ended gardening types. I've sharpened the front edge, and it flies through dirt, ice, and snow with ease. Not a large shovel, but WAY better than a folding one. You'd have to be pretty desperate to use one of those. You'd be digging all day for even minor stuff.
 
Have you looked at the Glock entrenching tool. Basically folding shovel with a handle made out of the same polymer they use for the handgun frames. I have one and it seems like it'll hold up real well. I haven't had a chance to really ring it out yet but hope to this weekend in the yard. It does have a really nice saw hidden in the handle.

Charlie
 
I recommend ditching the folding idea and getting a Cold Steel Spetnaz shovel. Them things are badass!!! They'll chop really good, of course dig. I keep mine in my truck.
 
I HIGHLY recommend the NATO issue Gerber Tri-Fold shovel. i love mine for saving weight and space and its very tough. however, other posters made a good point, if you may need to do serious digging, get a real shovel with a steel handle. -------- Eric
 
I use carry one in my kit,but decided to take it out because of the weight I found that a small backpacking shovel instead. Like others I kept a mini shovel in the jeep.
 
I have an e-tool and a cs shovel. The e-tool works very well, but it's too heavy to lug around, so it lives in my jeep. Like everyone else said, the cs shovel is hot. It goes on my pack when I go back country camping, and I'm very pleased with it. It can also double as a small machette.
 
I have found several of the U.S. WWII folding shovels on ebay for cheap.

Sportsmansguide.com also has several models available for pretty good prices as well.

I have carried and used these things for decades and have yet to break one. I had one handle failure on an East German model once. They are versatile though some models are heavy. The East German ones are very heavy for their size.

The best ones are the U.S. WWII and the european copies that arose from it. The Glock is ok but from what I hear from several friends who have used both the older style Gerber is better, way better.

Hope this helps.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I keep a real shovel in my car. One of the square-ended gardening types. I've sharpened the front edge, and it flies through dirt, ice, and snow with ease. Not a large shovel, but WAY better than a folding one. You'd have to be pretty desperate to use one of those. You'd be digging all day for even minor stuff.
Click to expand...

:thumbup: Same as me !;)
 
The Walther Jungle Tool is an interesting piece, I have never used it for much more than digging a small hole when camping, but it gets the job done. It was a gift to me so I figured I would get some use out of it. One big drawback is that it has a bright finish. I don't know if if they make a matte finish.
 
If its for a survival kit which you may have to carry after leaving the car, weight and portability may be a factor, on that basis I'd opt for the Gerber NATO Folding Spade.

I really like mine as I know that whatever else, its something which I can rely on. The design, materials and construction quality is excellent, and it packs small and light, yet is very sturdy.

gerber_spade.jpg
 
If a real shovel is not an option, I'd go with the Cold Steel version for sure. It is one sweet shovel :thumbup:
 
I have an old WWII model that I keep in my Samurai. Most of the reproductions are not that good. The one I have goes back to the 50s. Cold Steel ones have good reviews.
 
I got a Czech folding shovel, it's surprisingly solid, all steel.

Got it from the mil surplus section of the sportsmansguide website
 
If you can get a hold of the Swiss Military Shovel, it kicks butt!

When you see one in person you see why they are so much more than the other military styles. Luckily a local place by me has them. I use one all the time, but pick up another every so often just because :D

B
 
I found a WW2 folding shovel at a flea market in nearly perfect condition and it is a beast, especially for $5. Have used it 3 times in the past 8 years or so and it did the job well enough digging people out of the snow- the trick is to use it like a grater blade- push the snow out of the way rather than scoop it. I have no real world experience but did play with the Lee Valley model and it seemed strong enough. I like the folding models as car trunk space seems to always be at a premium, especially with winter survival gear, battery booster, spare oil....
 
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