Expediton shovels - axes - bow saws - what kind?

[Desertdude]

Please post up your favorites along with links and photos - Thanks!

[offroad_nomad]

I've got a generic 36" or so Home Depot shovel mounted to my roof rack using Quik-Fist mounts. Pics to follow.

[HongerVenture]

The one I use came from Cheaper Than Dirt. They are just the right size (43" overall length) for vehicle mount/storage. Great price too at just $9.97 for three of them. Mine gets used for various camping tasks... everything from maneuvering logs on the fire, shoveling coals for the dutch oven, to digging ye old "relief" hole.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd_images/lgprod/WIN-166.jpg

Gotta love cheap, mil-surp...

[HongerVenture]

Looking more into CTD reveals more options...

I love this website, in case you couldn't tell. (http://search.cheaperthandirt.com/search?q=shovel&site=firsttest&txthide=1&output=xml_no_dtd&client=firsttest&btnG=Search&access=p&ip=168.215.79.229&proxystylesheet=firsttest&getfields=price&getfields=image&filter=p)

[Brian McVickers]

Dude.
Check out an old thread
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=127

I carry a Pulaski Axe aka Landscapers Axe.
It is a full size axe on one side and a full size maul on the other.
You can chop wood or dig a hole or trench all with the same tool.
It saves space and for the ammount that I actually use either one I was not overly concerned with the possible loss of performance or different feel you would get by using an axe that has the extra weight on the head.
It was about $25 at Home Depot.http://www.hisco-okc.com/images/products/HIPA-6.jpg

I also carry a Short shovel with a full handle grip, $7 at Harbor Freight
as well as
a camping saw, about 18"
a pry bar, about 36"
a 32oz ball pean hammer
a machette, about 24"

a large wood block and some ratchet straps!

[Nullifier]

Well I have a fiberglass handle shovel from home depo. It was full size but I took off the rubber grip and cut it down. I think it was 12 dollars.

For an ax I carry an eastwing on the truck, however the best axes are the gransfors units. I have a small wildlife hatchet that I use on camping trips. It's perect for chopping small items and it's so sharp and compact you can use it for trimming animal skins. Not that you guys here do that but hunters do.http://www.gransfors.com/htm_eng/index.html

I also carry a machete. In my neck of the woods I use it more then any other tool. I have a cold steel kukri unit. I keep it strapped to the back of my bucket seat in the cab. http://www.coldsteel.com/97kms.html

[lowenbrau]

One of my wheeling buddys bought one of these and its sooooo nice. The shape of the head just blows wood apart. Makes splitting wood fun.

http://www.fiskars.com

[CLynn85]

I keep a fold-up military style shovel from cheaper than dirt at all times in the back, as well as a 14" or so Stanley multipurpose wood saw, and when going out for a trip will usually toss in my small hatchet, that I've had for god knows how long. I contemplated building in shovel/axe mounts when I built my rocker panels, but decided against it. Would get some funny looks pulling up to the local diner kitted out with those though lol.

[awalter]

I carry 2 saws, a Buck Knives T-handle saw 10.5" blade cross-cut on one side rip on other & a Wyoming Saw II 18.25" with wood & bone blades.

I take along an LL Bean hatchet 1.75# with a 16" wood handle & a Max Multi Purpose Ax (7 way tool) with wood handle 10-12 years old.

I have a small folding shovel & an old short wooden handled shovel 38"OAL that I found down in Baja at the beginning of a hike into Canon Tajo 8-10 years ago, & a 4# True Temper hammer.

[91xlt]

i like these..

http://www.maxax.com/

[calamaridog]

I also carry a machete. In my neck of the woods I use it more then any other tool. I have a cold steel kukri unit. I keep it strapped to the back of my bucket seat in the cab. http://www.coldsteel.com/97kms.html

I've been thinking about getting that one. How well does it perform?

I was also thinking it would be a felony to carry it strapped to the back of your bucket seat here in CA:D

[awalter]

i like these..

http://www.maxax.com/

It ain't no toy.

[Brian McVickers]

Hey Dude,
What are you thinking of getting?

[Nullifier]

I've been thinking about getting that one. How well does it perform?

I was also thinking it would be a felony to carry it strapped to the back of your bucket seat here in CA:D

Well down here the brush is thick. I have used the trditional style machetes for awhile but sinse I got that codl steel unit I do not even carry a regular machete now. Don't get me wrong a regular machete is a versatile tool for general use, but the Kukri units will hack through most stuff with half the effort.

Strapping it to my bucket seat is considered a concealed weapon I guess here in FL too. I guess it is one of those things where I do not drive this truck daily and never really get into trouble with cops. I.E. I don't speed etc. It's probably not a good idea for anyone including myself to do this but I guess it's one of those tools slash self defense things ya know. Kind of like a mag light and it's easier to explain off a machete then a gun LOL!

[Desertdude]

Thanks for all the great info


Hey Dude,
What are you thinking of getting?


...Not sure yet - heading to Alaska this year going to ACT06 (http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=64733) we will be in the interior of AK and will for sure use a shovel and axe everyday



This link is very informative - awesome quality axes
http://www.gransfors.com


:::

[Desertdude]

Just wanted to post that I found one of swedish carving axes (http://www.gransfors.com/htm_eng/index.html) while I was in Moab ( at Gearheads outdoor store). It is a real fine tool and the axe book that comes with is very informative - thanks for that link!

Still looking for the killer shovel :coffee:

[vanguard]

I've been thinking of getting this one. I don't know how it will hold up but I have a very high opinion of lee valley.

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=2&p=44171&cat=2,42706,40721

http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/Woodworking/Saws/29t3201s3.jpg

http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/woodworking/saws/29t3201s1.jpg

[AndrewP]

Here is a saw that I carry-it's a little more compact and works great:

http://www.svensaw.com/

I think REI carries it.

[Desertdude]

Thanks for both those links - Gearheads outdoor store in Moab had both- I should have listened to my instincts and bought one -


Still looking for the right shovel and mount - I wanted to get the Kamar type shovel mount but have not located a vendore

[calamaridog]

I've been meaning to buy one of these Glock entrenching tools and give it a try:

http://www.glock.com/e-tool.htm

I've seen them on ebay for around $50.

[robert]

I keep an old US folding shovel- the kind with the wooden handle not that tri-fold POS- in the truck at all times. When I'm going wheeling or camping I also carry a D handle shovel. I also carry one of the boy's axes (sometimes also called a camp ax)- shorter and lighter than a regular ax and a compact bowsaw. When working in the swamps I'd also carry a machette or bankblade.

[maineman]

What's a "bankblade"?

[SAR_Squid79]

I am thinking of getting this Land Rover Expedition Shovel. The shovel I carry around now is a piece of crap.


http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/1674/shovelew0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

https://www.expeditionexchange.com/products/

[DaveInDenver]

I am thinking of getting this Land Rover Expedition Shovel.
You're kidding, right? That thing is $60!
https://www.expeditionexchange.com/cart/product.php?productid=19030&cat=0&page=1

I carry a Union 43516, round nose 28" long #2 digging shovel. It's a D-handle instead of a T, but it cost about $25 and I got it from my local Ace. They also make a cheaper 43106, which has similar dimensions but the blade a lighter duty. Also the Union tool I bought was US-made with a nice ash handle, if that's important.

12254

[ntsqd]

I've been meaning to buy one of these Glock entrenching tools and give it a try:

http://www.glock.com/e-tool.htm

I've seen them on ebay for around $50.
Granted, this post is over a year old, but: http://www.gtdist.com/ProductDetail.aspx?PartNumber=GLOCK-ET17170 Pricing may get better than that, that was the first search return.

I have one of the GLOCK shovels. Paid $45 for it wholesale over 10 years ago. I carried it in the dune buggy when it was my primary off road vehicle. The included saw (inside the telescoping part of the handle) happens to also work well on fiberglas and didn't noticeably dull from that use.
For a small shovel it's my first recommendation.

[SAR_Squid79]

You're kidding, right? That thing is $60!

Yes.

...but I am looking for a new - higher quality - shovel.

[ckkone]

Yes.

...but I am looking for a new - higher quality - shovel.

Take a look at this thread:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8173&highlight=shovel

It's dhackney approved so it must be good!

[ckkone]

Granted, this post is over a year old, but: http://www.gtdist.com/ProductDetail.aspx?PartNumber=GLOCK-ET17170 Pricing may get better than that, that was the first search return.


Cool shovel, here is a better price $35.97

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/GLOCK107-56148-1403.html

[SAR_Squid79]

I'm not too keen on folding shovels. I've seen too many bend/break/warp.

[ntsqd]

I'm not too keen on folding shovels. I've seen too many bend/break/warp.
Ordinarily I'd agree with you, but the GLOCK deserves looking at. I would not put it in the same catagory as the old GI entrenching tool design.

It still is a short shovel, with those limitations. Depending on use/need it may or may not be appropriate. For those cases where a folder is appropriate I rank it as the best I've ever seen.

Something I've never seen noted is that one side of it is made with a false edge. It could be used as a dull machete or sharpened.