Posted: 4/29/2013 7:29:29 PM EDT
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Which of the small/compact shovels are best?
I'm pretty sure the winner in the durability and utility dept. is the CS shovel. But I could be mistaken. Thanks -Emt1581 |
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Gerber Gorge. Unless you are building field fortifications, all you will need. http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-22-41578-Gorge-Folding-Shovel/dp/B000WZCSTO Collapsed, it will easily fit in a GI MOLLE 1-qt canteen/utility pouch.
In truth, most folks would be best served by a small, sturdy aluminum trowel. YMMV. |
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Now I have a ton of little inexpensive fold out shovels I keep in cars and stuff for that just in case, but when its time to actually do some work, I reach for a Vietnam Era or German E tool. The key element being the long wood handle which no matter how tactical cool you make something look, its pure physics regarding leverage and friction ease on your hand when it comes to work.
This really is something you are better off not buying on the internet but spend some time in Army Navy Stores. You can buy yourself a Glock or USGI to throw in your car to shovel snow, mud, or sand but man if you want to dig a serious hole, get yourself a real tool. Tj |
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depends on what you want to do. the tiny little folding spades are Ok for digging foxholes, but no one here will be digging foxholes.
I keep a square edge garden spade witha fairly short handle in the jeep. much better on ice. mud, and snow than any foxhole digger. |
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I keep a D-handled round point shovel in the jeep, and I keep a garden trowel in the GHB.
Honestly, you can argue minutiae of E-tool variants, but they all lose to a D-handled shovel, which fits easily into the trunk of almost all vehicles. The only advantage to an E-tool varient is that you can carry those heavy sombitches on/in a pack. If you talking about something for the car though, forgo the toys and get a real tool. As far as packs, I see no reason why I would need anything other than a garden spade in my GHB. The only reason why that is in there is because my GHB is my hiking bag as well. |
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Quoted:
I keep a D-handled round point shovel in the jeep, and I keep a garden trowel in the GHB. Honestly, you can argue minutiae of E-tool variants, but they all lose to a D-handled shovel, which fits easily into the trunk of almost all vehicles. The only advantage to an E-tool varient is that you can carry those heavy sombitches on/in a pack. If you talking about something for the car though, forgo the toys and get a real tool. As far as packs, I see no reason why I would need anything other than a garden spade in my GHB. The only reason why that is in there is because my GHB is my hiking bag as well. This would be mostly for my vehicle. For my pack I'll most likely pick up a cheap trowel at wal-mart in the garden section. Thanks -Emt1581 |
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small american made shovel from lowes. http://www.lowes.com/pd_126-302-1547300_0__?productId=3713842&Ntt=shovel&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Dshovel&facetInfo= forged blade/wood handle and its lite. easier/lighter to carry than a entrenching tool and you get more leverage for actually digging. |
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#2 round point nupula shovel in the pickup, razorback small D handle shovel for tight spaces (not a full size D handle shovel), Glock Etool and Chicom knockoff pick-mattock (also in truck) for really tight spaces, and for really, really tght spaces, a razorback hand trowel.
I've gone through each stage before such as digging up a water line. Full size shovel plus the small D handle shovel will handle almost everthing. I can't imagine any need to play infantryman and stap a shovel to my pack- but I've sure carried posthole diggers for a 1/2 mile or so. |
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Quoted:
small american made shovel from lowes. http://www.lowes.com/pd_126-302-1547300_0__?productId=3713842&Ntt=shovel&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Dshovel&facetInfo= forged blade/wood handle and its lite. easier/lighter to carry than a entrenching tool and you get more leverage for actually digging. That's what I have in all three vehicle plus one in the garage. Compact enough for carry and will do the job. |