Do you carry a folding shovel multi-tool?

Which one do you carry, and why?

Which features do you find most useful \ gimmicky?

I think one would be quite useful for my operations. I'll be pulling up on to beaches \ sandbars with my Lake Amphibian as I gain more experience in it. I'm sure I'll miscalculate sand softness on occasion, and might have to dig myself out.
Thus, I think I might carry one of these things around.
Besides, they can be a moderately useful survival tool for my ventures to "Lake Faraway".
Initially, I'm thinking my priorities are: lightweight, non-rusting materials, moderately compact.


https://wiki.ezvid.com/best-folding-shovels
https://www.skilledsurvival.com/survival-shovels/
https://www.survivalgearexperts.net/best-camping-shovel-reviews/

Thanks for your opinions

ZP

https://backcountrypilot.org/forum/hammer-tested-gear-reviews-19661?p=274535#p274535

I started carrying a Glock after Hammer posted about them a couple of years ago. I like it. Lightweight and strong. And it's a Glock.

As Hammer pointed out in his review, the saw is angled to cut on the push stroke. It would be much less likely to bend if the teeth were designed to cut on the pull stroke. A replaceable "sawzall" style blade would be even better. Having said that, I've never used the saw so it hasn't been a problem. Perhaps one of the other brands has a better design with regards to peripheral tools.

I too have a Glock. Interesting timing of this post because I needed my shovel yesterday, and I was glad it was in the airplane. The tightening mechanism that allows the blade to rotate could be improved in my opinion as there was some slippage, but overall the shovel moved a lot of sand, and the blade edge cut nicely through grass and roots.

ZPilot wrote:Do you carry a folding shovel multi-tool?

Which one do you carry, and why?

Which features do you find most useful \ gimmicky?

I needed a shovel, not a multi tool, so I ended up with the Schrade that appears on a couple of your links. I already carry a machete, a knife and a pretty extensive toolkit, so duplicating those functions in a shovel wasn't something I wanted. But having a shovel strong enough to use was a concern after using a weak shovel to dig my plane out a few weeks ago. The Schrade locking mechanism is strong and tight, and the blade is strong and sharp.

I carry a SOG, it seems to be sturdy enough. I've needed one and didn't have it so I keep it mounted to the rear panel in the cargo area.

https://amzn.to/2P2oPcJ

Schwarz wrote:I carry a SOG, it seems to be sturdy enough. I've needed one and didn't have it so I keep it mounted to the rear panel in the cargo area.

https://amzn.to/2P2oPcJ

I like it! That's cool, Schwarz!

I like the idea of the Glock-e shovel. For one thing, it's a ready made Christmas present to anyone who owns or carrys a Glock (but not a shovel). It looks light, strong, and versatile.

It might also be helpful to prevent the scourge of climate change induced toilet paper wildfires like those reported in this small sample of recent news reports:

http://wildfiretoday.com/tag/toilet-paper/, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/07/24/cyclists-toilet-stop-blamed-for-wildfire/30613585/, or
https://www.thetravelword.com/2012/02/06/irresponsible-tourism-and-the-forest-fire-in-torres-del-paine-national-park-chile-2/.
Even Harvard grads engage in this time honored practice: https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1985/7/23/med-school-grads-caused-forest-fire/

PapernScissors wrote:I like the idea of the Glock-e shovel.

FWIW, I looked that up finally and it's the same shovel I borrowed in Idaho from a random pilot.

It didn't work well. The handle didn't want to stay extended and the clamp to hold the shovel open was also ineffective.

rw2 wrote:

PapernScissors wrote:I like the idea of the Glock-e shovel.

FWIW, I looked that up finally and it's the same shovel I borrowed in Idaho from a random pilot.

It didn't work well. The handle didn't want to stay extended and the clamp to hold the shovel open was also ineffective.

Interesting...I've got three Glock spades, purchased over the past decade, and they all work flawlessly, even under heavy strain. But I'm pretty fastidious about the care and feeding of my tools...maybe the one you borrowed got buggered up with improper use.

Guess I'll find out. One's enroute...

Pffft.... why bother with all those big tools when you could have this?

The bar has just been raised...

Zzz wrote:Pffft.... why bother with all those big tools when you could have this?

Because the "big" ones work... and cute little ones just crack knuckles.

Does the Glock entrenching tool lock in the 90 degree position so it can be used as a hoe?

If not which of the folding shovels (entrenching tools) do this?

Thanx
TD

TomD wrote:Does the Glock entrenching tool lock in the 90 degree position so it can be used as a hoe?

If not which of the folding shovels (entrenching tools) do this?

As previously mentioned, the lock on the Glock I borrowed was broken. So I can't say for sure, but it looks like it would be able to.

My new Schrade definitely does, and the locking mechanism is far superior.

TomD wrote:Does the Glock entrenching tool lock in the 90 degree position so it can be used as a hoe?

If not which of the folding shovels (entrenching tools) do this?

Thanx
TD

Yes it does. The ad on Amazon says it will lock in 4 positions. I'm not near mine right now or I would check it out (and give it a workout to see if it would work when needed)

I ended up ordering the Schrade because it was listed in two of the links I mentioned:

ZPilot wrote:https://wiki.ezvid.com/best-folding-shovels
https://www.skilledsurvival.com/survival-shovels/

Pretty reasonable price:
https://amzn.to/2CCd6jE

First impression is good as well. Good size, felt durable.

Hopefully it will be a while before I actually have to use it, so, who knows how it will perform.

ZP

Ok, just received my Glock shovel yesterday from Amazon.

Looks like a good piece of equipment and yes it does lock in the shovel (spade?) position and the hoe position. Like the handle length and the single handle for the "hoe" configuration. I certainly don't look forward to trying to cut anything with the edge of the blade however. The saw looks like an afterthought and I carry a couple of better alternatives already.

All in all looks like good gear.

TD

TomD wrote:Ok, just received my Glock shovel yesterday from Amazon.

... I certainly don't look forward to trying to cut anything with the edge of the blade however. ...

All in all looks like good gear.

TD

Like all spades, you have to sharpen the edge yourself. A single cut mill bastard file will do a decent job, and it only takes a few minutes to get a good edge.

Here's a good inspirational video with a kick-ass soundtrack to get you going...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ryyAenmzHM

rw2 wrote:Does the Glock entrenching tool lock in the 90 degree position so it can be used as a hoe?

If not which of the folding shovels (entrenching tools) do this?

Yes. It's not as heavy as the old fox hole diggin' tool I was issued when I was really interested in digging fox holes, but it looks like it would do the job if I am careful how I use it. The lock (and hinge) are a black plastic block with channels molded into the material to lock the shovel in each of four positions (closed, 90 d, 135 d, and full open). It's definitely not intended to do heavy duty stuff (like digging fox holes) or prying boulders, but it's light for staying within W&B limits, and I think it would do the job if I needed to dig out a wheel (or two) and took my time. If I was really worried about that problem as a frequently recurring problem I'd carry the O.D. heavy steel & wood handled issue folding shovel designed for fox hole work.