Posted: 10/16/2011 5:26:46 PM EDT
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I have one of the Gerber entrenching tools. The plastic worries me a bit, as I live in a very hot, very dry climate and plastics can get brittle very quickly. Do any of you know of a good all metal contender? Or, is my worry unfounded? I ask because I am about to buy a second e-tool and I would very much like to make sure I am good to go. |
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What is your purpose for it? When I was in the Marines, they took our metal shovels and gave us GLOCK e-tools. They sucked, broke as much as the metal ones, and could not be put into the "squat" position to use the restroom (without acting like a cork). IMHO, e-tools should really only be carried if you need a small tool to dig fighting positions or slit trenches with quickly. Otherwise, might as well have brought a fullsize shovel, or a little garden hand spade deal. |
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DITCH THE PLASTIC - CARRY STEEL... The Cold Steel Spetznaz works EXCELLENT, and is likely one of the best I've ever seen. Another alternative is to buy a Craftsman Mini Spade, and weld on some steel supports, and cast some lead into the cavity to make it heavier and more durable... Without modifications though - the Cold Steel Spetznaz works the best. Take an angle grinder and sharpen the fuck out of all the front & side edges, and it will serve you well for many years of abuse! Quoted: Cold Steel Spetnaz. it doesn't fold but it does everything else better! I have 3. Jim In the dry, rocky, sandy Texas climate - the Cold Steel will serve you best. Also, when sharpened, the edge can be used as a machete, and can also be used to chop through small to medium size tree roots when digging holes too. |
| I have used a Gerber Gorge for the past couple years. It is very compact and sturdy. They are only $20.00. The only down side is they are a tad bit smaller than most e-tools, but not by much. They are still great for camping and hunting. For the truck, I just throw a full size shovel in the back. |
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In my experience, if it's not a solid handle & blade spade it's a piece of s#!t and it'll break. In my experience, if it's hinged in any way it's a piece of s#!t and it'll break. In my experience, if it's got any plastic parts it's a piece of s#!t and it'll break. In a period of 3 years, between 2003 to 2006 I've broken a number of shovels through frequent use digging graves. I've dug a few full-size graves by hand (usually use a backhoe), and I've over a hundred cremation & baby graves by hand. Baby graves were usually dug 39"W x 48"L, and 5 feet deep. Cremation graves were dug 32" x 32" Square, and 5 feet deep or until I hit the top of the casket or concrete burial vault if it's a double-occupancy grave. I've broken three hinged Etools. One USGI, one generic "Camping Store" knock-off of the USGI, and one older German one... All three broke eventually. I've broken two of the Craftsman mini-edging spades because they have plastic D-handles, and one of the aforementioned modifications to make these somewhat 'worthy' tools is to replace the plastid D handle with a wooden T or D handle. I've broken 4 full size spades too. I've come to learn that a solid, thick-bladed Etool with a solid handle will be your best option. I know it's not the most compact tools available, but it's durable and works in pretty much any soil conditions. Rocky soils, sandy soils, clay soils, loamy soils, peat soils, etc... If the spade is sharpened thoroughly it'll do its job for a long time. |
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Quoted: Any brand you prefer?In my experience, if it's not a solid handle & blade spade it's a piece of s#!t and it'll break. In my experience, if it's hinged in any way it's a piece of s#!t and it'll break. In my experience, if it's got any plastic parts it's a piece of s#!t and it'll break. In a period of 3 years, between 2003 to 2006 I've broken a number of shovels through frequent use digging graves. I've dug a few full-size graves by hand (usually use a backhoe), and I've over a hundred cremation & baby graves by hand. Baby graves were usually dug 39"W x 48"L, and 5 feet deep. Cremation graves were dug 32" x 32" Square, and 5 feet deep or until I hit the top of the casket or concrete burial vault if it's a double-occupancy grave. I've broken three hinged Etools. One USGI, one generic "Camping Store" knock-off of the USGI, and one older German one... All three broke eventually. I've broken two of the Craftsman mini-edging spades because they have plastic D-handles, and one of the aforementioned modifications to make these somewhat 'worthy' tools is to replace the plastid D handle with a wooden T or D handle. I've broken 4 full size spades too. I've come to learn that a solid, thick-bladed Etool with a solid handle will be your best option. I know it's not the most compact tools available, but it's durable and works in pretty much any soil conditions. Rocky soils, sandy soils, clay soils, loamy soils, peat soils, etc... If the spade is sharpened thoroughly it'll do its job for a long time. |
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Quoted: Any brand you prefer? For NEW Entrenching Tools, I'd recommend the Cold Steel Spetznaz. For good quality USED ones, I recommend the OLDER German Entrenching Tool.  Edited to add: The above are vintage WWII versions - but East Germany continued to make these things all the way into the early 1960's, and if you can find one from the late 50's to early 60's, you can get one that you can abuse without feeling guilty about using an angle grinder to sharpen a WWII piece of history. They're EXTREMELY well built, and a sharpened shovel can easily whack limbs off anybody getting too close. |