Good job everybody, we just rediscovered why there's both spades and shovels, and they're not the same!

I love the vintage look of my prewar Swiss square shovel, but there's little reason why it couldn't have a pointed spade blade in the same size envelope on the belt or pack.  The Russians at least have that right amongst the fixed-handled versions.

y'all tried the Bully Tools trunk shovel?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bully-Tools-14-Gauge-Round-Point-Trunk-Shovel-with-Poly-D-Grip-Handle-92712/205347983#overlay

Just my personal opinion, but I'll take a combination of a pick and a shovel over any shovel that I've ever seen, including folding shovels that can sorta act like a pick.  Even certain shovels that have a fold-out pick implement are not nearly as good as a purpose-made pick, although such rare tools are better than any sort of simple shovel.

IMHO, simply no comparison on most soils, especially compacted soils and rocky soils.

If you want to dig efficiently, then use both a pick and a shovel.   The Roman army understood this thousands of years ago.

Without getting into brands, the issue that the .mil tries to solve is issuing one tool to everybody, and when you do that, there is going to be a compromise somewhere. A combo tool of whatever kind is not going to perform as well as either a dedicated shovel or pick.

So my vote FWIW if you must buy only one tool, is to buy a combo tool, because you're not likely to use or abuse it nearly to the extent that PFC Schmuckatelli might, since it is your property, and you aren't digging with the urgency that comes from worrying about incoming shell splinters.

If you have the luxury of more budget and space in your vehicle, then get a small shovel AND a small pick.

JMHO.

A grubbing hoe (talache in Spanish) is the best digging implement ever made.  Carrying one around sucks, though.



Where I come from, they tend to be built heavier (with a heavier haft) than that.

I cleared many acres with one in my youth.

Exactly. Why they don't just issue both, or one tool of either type to every other dude, I'll never quite understand.

Have had a few - the Cold Steel one seems to have been the best so far.  Actually use it gardening, great for cutting roots and woody plants.  However, I haven't found a good cover it.  Bought a cheap cover but wasn't any good.

IDK if USGI picks are even issued anymore.

Just my opinion, and YMMV.

Given recent experiences in Ukraine, I reckon being able to quickly and efficiently dig a fighting position might be very useful.  Decent Picks being highly useful, IMHO.

NOT an Expert, but I've dug some holes using Mil-Spec E-Tools and other tools.  Picks always extremely useful tools.

I have that, and the original.   Both are must own items.