Anyone have experience with the various entrenchment shovels? Looking for something that will be stored in my vehicle for getting stuck in snow/sand and be used for typical camp tasks. Durability, fit for use, and packability is top priority - ultra lightweight and ability to kill zombies is not important. There is everything from the AMES and Gerber military issue, to the Soviet Spetsnaz/Cold Steel version, to the $100+ “survival shovels”.
I have a Glock folding spade that I have used lots. I have no complaints. Any small folding spade will make you work hard if you are stuck in snow/mud. I carry a full size long handled shovel for that task.
I have the Special Forces Spetsnaz from Cold Steel under my back seat. It's the larger of the two Cold Steel Spetsnaz offerings. I haven't had to do any real digging with it yet but it's well built and sturdy. Like Andy said, a full size would be better for serious digging but I think this would get me unstuck without much extra effort. I just couldn't trust the little folding jobs for a recovery tool myself.
I’m with @TerryD on this one. The Cold Steel Spetznaz is pretty great. Cheap, sturdy, wicked sharp out of the box.
I’m a big fan of the Glock shovel. However, I must clarify that I am NOT a big fan of any type of shoveling. Or other manual labor for that matter. But the Glock shovel lasts a long time, and doesn’t need to be babied. I’ve used mine more for shoveling coals underneath a cast iron pot than shoveling dirt.
And unlike the Colt 1911 shovel it works every time in all conditions without the need to spend extra on "custom shovelsmithing" so it can actually shovel more than once without a reset....
Not sure how I missed this the first time I searched, but in case anyone else had the same question as me: https://eseeknives.com/forums/index.php?threads/cold-steel-speznas-shovel.8637
The Cold Steel Trench Shovel is a true workhorse, even compared to the regular "spetsnaz" shovel. Unless you're 5 foot tall or enjoy bending over while kneeling, the Trench shovel will get more work done. Handle is about 10" longer and head is probably 40-50% larger.
When one project ends another begins. I dropped some stuff off at the in-laws and FiL hands me this. Old military pick maddox head.
As seen on the Interweb. I purchased one of these multifunctional shovels. Fits in my Jeep bin. Haven't tried it but it should last for a couple of beat downs.
https://www.fiskars.com/en-us/garde...gging-shovel-with-steel-d-handle-46-96696925j This is my favorite. Made many latrines and helped get me unstuck once. Handy to have. Not really pack worthy or small but for car camping its perfect.
I have a US Army e-tool at the beach. It’s awesome. Folds up nice, can use it like a shovel or open in part way for a pick/hoe.