Does anyone here use a folding shovel? Are they any good? Can anyone make any recommendations? Have been looking at this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gerber-Gorge-F...item3ef502f62f
Anyone used one?
Anyone used one?
Folding shovels
- Thread starter junglegusset
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there is no other (apart from a proper shovel)
there is no other (apart from a proper shovel)
Not a great fan of folding shovels. Never found a good one yet. I use one of these. Shorten the handle if necessary
http://www.denbigharmysurplus.co.uk/army-stores/War-Dated-British-Army-Shovels.html
http://www.denbigharmysurplus.co.uk/army-stores/War-Dated-British-Army-Shovels.html
I will second that. The only folding spade I ever bought - still going strong
Mike
I have this with me normally and gotta say its not bad for what it is
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Compact-Foldi...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_3?hash=item53df18c30b
Obviously I wouldnt want to dig a massive pit with it but it deffintely works when you need a small fire hole etc
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Compact-Foldi...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_3?hash=item53df18c30b
Obviously I wouldnt want to dig a massive pit with it but it deffintely works when you need a small fire hole etc
I favour the russian army shovels. Got one a few weeks ago and it is much beter than the british army folding shovel i used to use.
It is much lighter and there is less to go wrong as it is a metal shovel with a wood handle. Build like a tank the russians use these for fighting as well as building shelters.
It is much lighter and there is less to go wrong as it is a metal shovel with a wood handle. Build like a tank the russians use these for fighting as well as building shelters.
Call a spade a spade...
A real full length shovel works better.
The army developed mini shovels because when digging shell scrapes etc, standing up made you a bigger target.
So a shorter shovel was more useful when digging on your knees, or lying on your side.
For bushcrafters, or light carry folks where weight and size/volume etc is a consideration, I can understand.
Just expect to work a wee bit harder using them, you'll be warm but your back may suffer if you can't dig from a kneeling or lying position.
As Mike 8472 said, the Soviets used them as a weapon, one side sharpened and it doubled as a kind of axe.
Read Suvarov's book from the 80's for the thinking on that.
A real full length shovel works better.
The army developed mini shovels because when digging shell scrapes etc, standing up made you a bigger target.
So a shorter shovel was more useful when digging on your knees, or lying on your side.
For bushcrafters, or light carry folks where weight and size/volume etc is a consideration, I can understand.
Just expect to work a wee bit harder using them, you'll be warm but your back may suffer if you can't dig from a kneeling or lying position.
As Mike 8472 said, the Soviets used them as a weapon, one side sharpened and it doubled as a kind of axe.
Read Suvarov's book from the 80's for the thinking on that.
If we're talking bushcraft, what are people using a shovel for?
- It's useful but not essential for digging a latrine pit - I sometimes carry a small folding trowel for that, in fact.
- It's sometimes handy to be able to move the embers of your fire around. But a stick will get you by.
So what else are they getting used for? I'm not having a go, just kinda curious...
Rat
- It's useful but not essential for digging a latrine pit - I sometimes carry a small folding trowel for that, in fact.
- It's sometimes handy to be able to move the embers of your fire around. But a stick will get you by.
So what else are they getting used for? I'm not having a go, just kinda curious...
Rat
I paid a fiver for a fold up shovel on E-bay. It digs a hole which is all I want it for really. Don't plan on doing anything adventurous with it but to dig a 1 foot by 1 foot hole its perfect. Packs up nice and small too.
I use my russian spade for mainly digging firepits and shelter building (bashing support poles in the ground and for bashing wooded pegs down for my tarp cords etc)
Not so much bushcraft really as just wild camping. Digging a pit for a fire and occasional latrines.
I am considering the folding trowel option though. Will probably do the job.
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forestwalker
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
I sometimes carry a small plastic gardening trowel; light weight and good for a "cathole" or a firepit. I know some that has bought a folding metal trowel, and is happy with them. The old Swedish army folding shovel was of the short, all metal school, but is fairly indestructible and comes (sometimes) with a detachable aluminium snow-blade. Not even remotely lightweight, so I would never carry it if I could avoid it.
I agree. This is the daddy.
I use mine when I am setting up a fixed camp for large groups. Digging latrines, fire-pits, earth ovens, post holes, sequestering roots and digging channels to divert surface rain water. I don't use it often and I would certainly not carry it any great distance but its useful to sling in the trunk.
LBL
I also recommend a trowel for most bushcraft uses, except snow holes and and snow trenches or really big fire pits. I do have a holding shovel and its ok for trenches and shell scrapes but is heavy to carry everywhere with you
I have a folding MOD surplus shovel that is great for use on hard ground - but is no light weight!
In my local woods I carved a wooden trowel for "cat scrapes" and left it in situ for future visits - but someone pinched it!
In my local woods I carved a wooden trowel for "cat scrapes" and left it in situ for future visits - but someone pinched it!
Nah - private woods...only I have perm from the landowner...the B who nicked the shovel also vandalised a chair and table I had built and nicked some tennnis balls I had there for protecting the group shelter tarp from its centre pole.
It was either a poacher we disturbed a while ago or kids....
Pot hangers and our fire place was undisturbed!
It was either a poacher we disturbed a while ago or kids....
Pot hangers and our fire place was undisturbed!
