Expedition Shovels

[Beowulf]

I know that just having a shovel is good enough, but I really like how this one has metal much further up from the spade. I currently have the short D handled Home Depot Special.

Does anyone have any experience with this shovel? What is everyone else using?

http://www.roversnorth.com/store/pop...rge/RNA691.JPG

http://www.roversnorth.com/store/p-6...xpedition.aspx

[teotwaki]

My guess would be that the longer metal neck would need to be of thick enough steel that it woould not buckle when prying at rocks and such.

[007]

The shovel head is the perfect shape, the metal shank will insure you can pry forcefully, the wood handle is compact and thick.

It reeks of quality, I think its a winner!

[TCM]

Dude, I think you know where you might check one of these out in person :-).

[jcbrandon]

I think that with shovels, the bigger the better. So figure out where you might be able to carry one, then get the biggest shovel that fits there. I've got a 3/4-ton pickup with an open bed. I carry a full-size landscaping shovel. Get something decent quality and you're good to go.

[jasonL_031]

for my shovels i have a hi lift shovel thats also the pick and axe, but i also carry a old military shovel.

[Antichrist]

I use two.
One is a British MoD shovel as carried on Land Rovers,

the other is a small German military folding shovel

(Cheaper Than Dirt had new ones for something like $10 several years ago, so I couldn't resist).

[Alaska Mike]

Those German folding shovels are the best I've seen, and the pick is actually functional. I've been carrying one for the last 15 years, and other than a little oil every few years on the moving parts, it's lived a very hard life.

[Photog]

If you are shoveling snow, and wearing mittins, that "T" handle won't work.

I also bought one with the "D" handle at the hardware store.

If you get a full size shovel, you you can wear what ever gloves/mittins you want. The handle is straight.

I would like to find one of those German shovel/picks.

[Antichrist]

I would like to find one of those German shovel/picks.

Google german military shovel. I found a number of sites that had them for $29 when I was looking for a photo (figured I'd find a better photo online than I could take)