Expedition Shovels

[UK4X4]

For shovels-





But for day to day in the truck I don't carry a shovel

I carry a Pick mattock.............a sharp pointy end for rocky ground, prying rocks and a 5" wide flat end for moving material.

If you've ever tried pulling sand out from under a truck with a shovel you'll realise its almost useless.

The mattock works great. only issue is the weight-----------given a choice

The pick mattock goes with me and the lonley shovel stay's at home..

Both tools have fiberglass shafts with an abs covering for long life

[Antichrist]

I was going to mention something in my post but forgot.
Never paint wooden tool handles. It can hide a pending failure, like a split, with results that can hurt you. Or someone else.
I'm sure quite a few folks already know that, but I'm always surprised at how many who don't.

[CanuckMariner]

I found a military surplus folding shovel with pick and leather cover. Shovel and pick are lockable in a few different positions. It was about $15 CAN as I recall. Had it for years and so far haven't had to use it, but now that I have hexed it, I probably will. It is so small that it fits in my ARB recovery bag and comes on all trips. I carry a full size landscaping shovel when I know I will be in sand, just in case.

When we used to go wadi bashing in Oman, I noticed quite a few had this shovel and worked well, hence why I got one when we came back.

[Tom and Elaine]

Wildland firefighters have a long handled version of the military E-tool called a combi-tool. I have used one on fires for a couple years and they are great for recovery work in snow, mud, dirt, and Montana gumbo. Traded out my shovel for the combi-tool last summer. Look in the National Fire Supply site. T&E

[jcbrandon]

Hmm.. Interesting.

Here's the combi-tool:


from:
http://www.nationalfirefighter.com/p...oducts_id=1169

And here's the German surplus folding shovel:


from:
http://www.wellingtonsurplus.com.au/...T+CARRIER+USED

Add in a replacement long handle, an hour in the workshop, and ta-da!

Who's going to be first to try it?

[roscoFJ73]

A garden hoe is great for when the vehicle has bellied out and you cant get the shovel in easily.
Much less work

[Tom and Elaine]

Yep, long handle on a German surplus folding shovel, a garden hoe, or a combi-tool. The ability to have the shovel head at a .45 degree angle when digging under a rig is great. The pick is handy also. The cutting edges on the combi-tool and military folding shovels if kept at least half way sharp cut roots etc very handily. Bottom line is more jobs for one piece of equipment makes room for something else. T&E

[Lynn]

Just a note I think important.

One thing that makes that German shovel better than the US entrenching tools I've had is the fact that the German one has a square spring loaded pin that locks it in the three positions.

The US type has a threaded collar that has to be tightened down.

The threads can be a real pain in freezing slush and snow. With the German spring loaded pin, even if it freezes up a few good whacks and it's good to go again.

[spray]

Hmm.. Interesting.



And here's the German surplus folding shovel:


from:
http://www.wellingtonsurplus.com.au/...T+CARRIER+USED



Who's going to be first to try it?

I have one of those and have had it for about 5-6years. I find it very useful, easy to store and quite strong.

They are about 60cm open(24") and 40cm closed (20")

Made from heavy steel and hardwood

[Harald Hansen]

I was going to mention something in my post but forgot.
Never paint wooden tool handles. It can hide a pending failure, like a split, with results that can hurt you. Or someone else.
I'm sure quite a few folks already know that, but I'm always surprised at how many who don't.

Count me in as one who didn't know. Thank you for the tip!