The tactical shovel is the most versatile offering when it comes to shovels. Many of these tactical shovels are equipped with features that go beyond earthmoving, often including sharp edges that can be used as a defensive weapon or as a camping tool, to assist in such tasks as chopping wood.
Shovels are one of the oldest and most useful tools known to humankind. They allow us to do everything from planting crops to building skyscrapers. Without one, moving dirt is near impossible – our hands are ill-equipped for the purpose. Despite their usefulness, how often do you have a shovel with you? Sure, you probably have one if you’re on the way to a construction or landscaping project. Otherwise, probably not.
These shovels are meant to be strapped to a backpack, thrown in the bed of your truck, or tucked behind your seat, ready to go at a moment’s notice. Tactical shovels are the tools you never knew you needed.
Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade
Gerber’s folding spade is ideal for backpackers and survivalists that desire a robust and foolproof method for digging holes. There are no bells and whistles, just a high-quality tool ready to do the job.
Best Overall Shovel
The best tool for the job is often the simplest, and the Gerber E-Tool is as simple as they come. There are no extra attachments or tools to deploy from the handle; the E-Tool is just a well-made shovel with a sharpened edge for chopping. It’s nearly unbreakable and is made by one of the best companies in the survival business.
Best Survival Shovel
If you could only bring one tool into the wilderness, it would probably be a knife, but a close second is the Fivejoy Military Folding Shovel. If you’re lost in the woods, this one tool can take care of most of the survival tasks you’d need to carry out until help can come. The shovel is incredibly lightweight at just over a pound but comes packed with a paracord, a whistle, a fire starter, a food cutter, and a knife.
Best Shovel For Your Vehicle
When weight is the least of your concerns, the Iunio Portable Camping Shovel is the best tool for the job. Yes, it weighs over four pounds, but it’s also over three feet long with all of its handle extensions attached. That’s a lot of leverage gained, and back pain avoided. As the Boy Scout motto goes: Be Prepared.
Best Self Defence Shovel
Few tactical shovels are as outright menacing as the Zune Lotoo Annihilate. Not only does the spade ship razor-sharp (for chopping wood), but it also comes with a hidden three-and-a-half-inch tactical knife. Should you encounter an attacker while carrying this shovel, you’ll have a much better chance of coming out on top.
Best Shovel for Backpacking
When you’re hiking several miles into the backcountry, nothing is as important as weight. The Boyisen Okoolcamp comes in at just over a pound, half or even a third of what many tactical shovels weigh. That’s quite impressive for something that contains a pick, saw, bottle opener, and nail extractor in addition to a shovel. To keep it featherlight, remove one of the handle extensions.
Types of Tactical Shovels
When you’re looking to buy a tactical shovel, one of the most important things to consider is the type you want. While the way it extends may not be too important for many customers, there are benefits and drawbacks to each particular type and if you have an intended use in mind, knowing what these are will better assist you in making the right decision.
Folding
Folding tactical shovels are a common sight on the market, they are small, compact options that are also some of the quickest to get into action. Depending on the manufacturer, their weakness can be the build quality, as the construction of the hinges is an essential element in determining the lifespan of your shovel.
Screw-in
Screw-in tactical shovels are another very popular choice. These models tend to be a bit larger, but can also offer more durability and strength through more leverage. The key weakness of the screw-in type is that they take longer to assemble, and some lower quality models have been known to unscrew during use.
Fixed
Fixed tactical shovels are less common than folding and screw-in, but you may still come across some on the market. There is no delay in assembly of course. They tend to be very compact and also offer excellent durability. The downside with these is that they are more difficult to transport in backpacks.
Why Do I Need a Tactical Shovel
Having an everyday carry knife seems reasonable, but why would someone ever need an everyday carry shovel?
- A shovel is a handy tool. It can be used to dig latrines, smother a fire, or pry rocks from your campsite. Don’t underestimate how useful a digging implement can be – your hands are near useless at some of the tasks a shovel is specifically intended for.
- A tactical shovel is far more than a shovel. For one, a sharpened shovel blade can chop wood very effectively. Some tactical shovels have a serrated blade for sawing wood too. In a pinch, a tactical shovel is an effective defensive weapon (army’s around the world train their soldiers with entrenchment tools). Most tactical shovels also come with a few extra features hidden in the handle, like a firestarter or compass.
- Regular shovels are typically a burden to carry around. If you drive a smaller car, it may be a challenge to even store a regular shovel with you, without taking up all your trunk space. Tactical shovels are more compact in most cases, even being able to be constructed and deconstructed as required.
The Best Tactical Shovels
1. Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade with Serrated Edge
Gerber is one of the biggest names in everyday carry knives, so it makes sense they’d also produce one of the best everyday carry shovels. The E-Tool is a basic entrenching tool that doesn’t come with a lot of bells and whistles. The only feature on this folding shovel is a serrated edge on one side of the spade that helps it slice through weeds and hard soil. It’s incredibly well built, using high carbon boron steel. Since it’s not loaded up with accessories, it weighs just 2.33 lbs; that’s less than average for a higher-quality shovel.
Its biggest downside is its length, extending to a paltry two feet long. You’ll definitely be bending over to do any digging with this tool, and it won’t give you much leverage either. While Gerber could have added handle extensions, it would have compromised the structural integrity of their product. Longer handles with multiple sections aren’t very strong, but the E-Tool is near unbreakable. It’s a design tradeoff that will disappoint some, but please those that want an ultra-durable tactical shovel.
Gerber is also one of the only major companies manufacturing their shovels in the U.S. Specifically, they’re designed and built-in Gerber’s Portland, Oregon factory.
Gerber’s e-tool might be right for backpackers and survivalists that desire a very strong and foolproof method for digging holes. There aren’t really any extras packaged in with this, just a high-quality tool ready to do the job.
2. BOYISEN OKOOLCAMP Foldable Camping Shovel
Finally, a great tactical shovel for backpackers! So many of them are loaded up on accessories and have extra long handles; it’s no wonder hikers rarely carry an entrenchment tool. The Boyisen Okoolcamp is not bulky or overbuilt. It weighs just over one and a third pounds, making it one of the lightest tactical shovels on this list.
It’s able to be that light because it’s not asked to do too many things. This is a shovel, a hoe, and a pick – it’s made for digging. There’s no superfluous survival gear hidden in this one. The pick is a nice addition, especially if you regularly camp in dry climates with intense hardpack.
The digging implements are made from some high-quality alloy steel, an improvement on carbon steel. It takes carbon’s positive attributes like hardness and durability and does even better. The tools are also powder-coated for some initial corrosion protection. The handle comes with a rubberized coating along the shaft to give its user a better grip.
This shovel isn’t without its faults, though. Its compactness and lightweight design necessitate a smaller shovel blade. It’s a little less than four inches across, which will make digging with it a lengthy task. The Boyisen Okoolcamp is also hard to operate since it’s only sixteen inches long when unfolded. You’ll need to be close to the ground, presumably on your knees, to do any digging. The handle can be shortened even further by removing the extension tube – a great idea for multi-night trips where every ounce counts.
The Boyisen Okoolcamp folding shovel is clearly designed for backpackers and others that need the lightest possible tool. It’s too small for big tasks and has too few accessories for survivalists, but might be just right for the average backcountry camper.
3. FiveJoy Military Folding Shovel Multitool
The FiveJoy really is the jack of all trades when it comes to tactical shovels. It’s there to do any job and do it well. First off, it has one of the most impressive collections of accessories for a camping shovel, including a shovel blade, a hoe, an ax, a saw, a hammer, a rescue knife, a fish scaler, a can opener, an emergency whistle, a bottle opener, and a firestarter. Except for food, you’ve got everything you need for a camping trip right there.
It’s no slouch in the quality department either; the shovel blade is constructed from high-carbon steel that is both ultra-durable and very sharpenable. As with all carbon steel blades, this means a little more maintenance compared to stainless to prevent it from rusting. The blade is a full five and a half inches wide, which provides ample surface area for earth moving. Holes will get dug a lot faster with something like the FiveJoy. The handle is made from aluminum and comes with anti-slip foam handles to prevent it from flying out of your hands with vigorous digging.
The shovel is twenty-one inches long with the extension tubes removed and thirty-three when they are attached. This gives you a lot of flexibility for how it’s used – removing the tubes for more detailed work and adding them when you want to stand upright. With the tubes removed, it weighs around two and a quarter pounds, which is light enough for backpacking. Should you need them, you could bring the extension tubes, and they’ll only add a few ounces to your pack weight.
That packability comes at a cost, though – the FiveJoy is a screw-in style shovel with two points of attachment for the extension tubes. Although the handle is well-made and even has some gaskets on the interior to keep moisture out, it’s just not going to be solid as a shovel with a one-piece handle. Every attachment or pivot point is where the shovel can fail, and the FiveJoy has a couple more than its competition.
One could also argue that the bevy of accessories is more than any camper would need. If you don’t see yourself using at least half of the included pieces, you’d be better off by a dedicated version of the tool, which will undoubtedly be better made and more functional. The Swiss Army-style shovel is much more useful when you don’t anticipate a need for the accessories. For that reason, the FiveJoy is an excellent shovel to keep in your bug-out bag or vehicle.
4. PATHWAY NORTH Camping Axe and Survival Shovel
If you weren’t a fan of the FiveJoy’s maintenance-heavy carbon steel and overload of accessories, this is an excellent alternative. Rather than being packaged with a dozen or so extra doodads, the Pathway North has just a few: a firestarter, a whistle, a screwdriver set, a couple of hex bolt wrenches, and a glass breaker. You can also detach the shovel blade and replace it with an ax blade. That last feature makes it one of the better options for camping shovels.
Another great feature of the Pathway North is its 3Cr13 stainless steel blade. It’s five inches across and almost completely maintenance-free. Unlike the high-carbon steel models, this one requires no wipe downs or oilings after usage. Under most conditions, it will never rust. That being said, it’s not as durable and won’t take abuse as its high-carbon counterparts. It also doesn’t sharpen very well, which will be a detriment to your wood chopping.
The shovel also comes with an extra-long handle, folding out to a lengthy thirty-three inches. This is accomplished by screwing in two handle extensions, both made from durable aluminum tubing. When fully assembled, it weighs a little under three pounds and even less if you’ve got the ax head attached instead of the shovel. That’s not bad for a shovel of its size – the shovel blade is actually five inches across and can move some serious dirt.
Beyond the ax head, some of Pathway North’s accessories don’t seem that useful. The included wrenches are three hexagonal holes drilled into the shovel face. I can’t think of any time when it would be comfortable to use these to turn a bolt. The screwdriver set and tactical knife aren’t terrible, but these are items that deserve dedicated tools, not add-ons to a shovel.
The Pathway North is an excellent choice for campers that want a great shovel and an ax. It’s fairly lightweight while still having a long enough handle that your back isn’t screaming by the end of the day. The price is slightly higher than most folding shovels, but since you won’t need to purchase a separate ax, it’s really not that bad.
5. Iunio Portable Camping Shovel
Iunio has created a great folding shovel for budget-minded consumers that walks the line between overbuilt survivalism tools and simplistic camp ware. The shovel’s blade is made from high-carbon steel that is less well prone than stainless but requires some care to prevent rusting. The blade also has a matte black coating that will protect it for the first couple of seasons before wearing off from use. The Iunio’s blade face is one of the larger ones, too, being just over six inches across. If you’re digging deep or moving a lot of dirt, this is a huge advantage.
Where this shovel shines, though, is its leverage. The Iunio offers the longest handle of folding shovel at thirty-eight inches, along with one of the widest shovel blades at six inches. If you need to move a big rock or even work to get your vehicle unstuck from the mud, the extra leverage could prove very useful. However, that extra length results from three extension tubes attaching to the handle – three weak points in the shovel’s design.
You’ll definitely want to ensure that the extension tubes are fully tightened before exerting much force on the handle, as the loose sections are likely to get bent. All those extra tubes add some weight, too, with the Iunio coming in at nearly four and a half pounds.
However, as far as tactical shovels go, it’s kind of light on the accessories. It includes a whistle, a glass breaker, a bottle opener, and a saw and pickax built into the shovel. It also has four handle sections to extend its length to thirty-eight inches – the longest of any model on this list. If you don’t need the length, you can use the handle attached to the shovel blade and save on space and weight.
The Iunio doesn’t really stand out from its competitors except that it’s an inch or two longer than a few. It’s priced well, costing just a little more than the cheapest tactical shovels on the list. It’s too heavy for backpackers and doesn’t have enough tools for prepper-types. It does come with a nice carrying case, one that’s MOLLE compatible for easy pack attachment. It’s also just an excellent camping tool and can stand up to several weekends of abuse each year, which is all you can really ask for.
6. US GI Military Original Issue E-Tool Entrenching Shovel
This one’s the real deal, the entrenching tool issued to U.S. service members. Built to military standards and manufactured in the U.S. of A, you know this tool will not fail you at an inopportune time. Unlike most tactical shovels, the E-Tool doesn’t come with many extra gadgets, which helps keep the price down. It works as a shovel, an ax, and a hoe – that’s it. It’s meant to do just a few things really well.
The U.S. E-Tool’s shovel blade is made from thick high-carbon steel given a black powder-coating. Two edges are serrated, which helps if you’re trying to chop wood with it. The blade can take a lot of abuse without going dull or deforming. Just because it’s a workhorse doesn’t mean it can be mistreated, though. Once the powder coating wears off, you’ll want to oil it up before you put it back in the shed or your gear closet to make sure it doesn’t rust.
When folded up, the E-Tool is only nine inches long, making it one of the most compact folding shovels on the market. Unfolded, it extends to twenty-four inches, which is rather compact, but won’t please anyone that’s got a bad back and has a hard time bending over. You’re also not going to get as much leverage with a two-foot-long shovel, which isn’t all that bad, really.
If you wrench on one of the longer shovels and the handle or pivot point isn’t well constructed, you run the risk of snapping your tactical shovel. However, you can apply as much force as you want to this E-Tool, and it’ll never break.
The E-Tool is also a little heavy at three pounds. Given that the handle only extends to two feet, it’s one of the heaviest tactical shovels for its size. That all goes back to durability, though; a thick shovel blade and indestructible handle will add some weight.
Overall, this is a solid choice for buyers that want a shovel that works well as a shovel. It’s not a just-in-case tool, but rather a “this is going to get used a million times a season” sort of tool.
7. SOG Folding Shovel Survival Shovel
Short and sweet is the name of the game here – SOG’s folding shovel is actually one of the smallest tactical models on the market. When extended, it’s just eighteen and a quarter inches long; you will absolutely need to get on your knees to use this shovel. Folded up, it’s ten inches long and fits in an included carrying case. The case can easily be attached to a backpack, belt, ATV rack, or anywhere you might think you need an entrenching tool nearby.
The shovel blade is especially small, at four and a half inches wide. That’s going to be a hindrance if you need to move a lot of snow or dirt, but it does make storage and carrying a whole lot easier compared to larger models like the Gerber or U.S. E-Tool.
The SOG’s blade is made from high-carbon steel for enhanced durability and easier sharpening. Be sure to throw some oil on it before you put it away, or else you’ll find a rusty mess come next camping season. One area where the SOG is a little more functional than the U.S. E-Tool is sawing.
The SOG has a very sharp serrated edge on one side of the shovel blade. In a pinch, you could cut through some small-diameter logs, but it won’t be easy. A dedicated pocket saw would make quick work of that log where the SOG will awkwardly muddle through it. That is to say that the saw is for emergencies when there’s an unexpected need for it.
Unlike its closest competitors, the U.S. and Gerber e-tools, SOG’s folding shovel is not made in the U.S.A. While the company has some high-quality standards that I’m sure its Chinese manufacturing operations are following, you can’t compete with American-made.
The SOG folding shovel is a good option for anyone wanting the most compact and lightweight entrenching tool without many bells and whistles. This shovel does its job well, and you won’t damage your back carrying it around. It certainly doesn’t hurt that it costs a third of what some of the pricier tactical shovels do.
8. Zune lotoo Annihilate Tactical Shovel
The biggest difference between a tactical shovel and a run-of-the-mill entrenching tool is that it can be used as a weapon. Thus far, most tactical shovels have been subtle in their role as a weapon, but the Annihilate tactical shovel doesn’t hide its purpose. It’s an intimidating piece of equipment with two very sharp edges on the shovel blade. Should you encounter an attacker, the handle turns to reveal a hidden tactical knife.
Other folding shovels also come with knives, but this is the only one deployed in seconds. The Annihilate is more than a shovel and knife too; it also comes with a firestarter, whistle, camera support, finger saw, paracord loop, and glass beaker.
Beyond its potential as a weapon, the Zune Iotoo Annihilate is a great shovel for digging. The carbon steel blade has a hardness of around 60 and is thick enough to support the weight of an adult male. It’s a little over five and a half inches across – larger than most and sufficient for moving large amounts of soil. The kind of steel used in the Annihilate is more resistant to dulling and can be sharpened again and again to return it to a factory sharp edge. The edging on this shovel is naked – no powder coating, so you’ll need to be extra vigilant when it comes to stopping corrosion.
Moving on to the Annihilates thick aluminum handle, which is just under thirty inches when fully extended. That’s a little less than some of the other models that utilize extension tubes in the handle, but not really enough to matter. It is considerably heavier, at four pounds. This isn’t the best choice for backcountry campers that count their ounces, but as a tactical shovel, it’s great for keeping in your vehicle.
The Annihilate is definitely one of the better tactical shovels if you’re looking for a self-defense tool. It’s also a worthy earthmover and ax, but the primary reason for purchasing this model is to get the hidden tactical knife.
9. Schrade SCHSH1 Stainless Steel Telescoping Shovel
At first glance, the Schrade SCHSH1 looks fairly similar to other tactical shovels. It folds up into a compact package, and it’s got a black coating designed to prevent corrosion, but those are where similarities end. Unlike most tactical shovels, the Schrade’s blade is made from 3Cr13 stainless steel. When combined with the outer coating, this is near rust-proof. If you’re regularly near saltwater, this is one of the few shovels that won’t be corroded by the time you get it home.
The Schrade is also one of the better tools for backpacking trips, thanks largely to its featherlight weight. It comes in at just under two pounds. This can be attributed to its smaller stature and hard plastic in the upper section of the handle. Schrade packaged it with a great little carrying case that protects the shovel blade and can be attached anywhere you need it to make it more portable.
Like the Gerber, SOG, and U.S. E-Tool, the Schrade takes a compact form. My biggest issue with the Schrade is its telescoping handle. While it’s very convenient to go from ten inches folded up to twenty inches fully extended, the way this shovel does it is not my cup of tea. It takes just seconds to twist and unlock the handle’s collar and pull it to your desired length. It’s a weak point, though. The collar can get loose with wear, and the telescoping action seems prone to failure.
You want a folding shovel’s handle to feel like a single piece of metal in your hands, even when it’s actually a couple of connected tubes. You’ll feel the lack of rigidity every time you pitch into fresh soil or try to chop a branch with its edge.
The Shrade SCHSH1 is not as bulletproof as many other tactical shovels, but it will do the job and requires less maintenance than other models. It’s also one of the lightest camp shovels so that you can carry it just about anywhere with little to no strain.
What to Look For When Buying a Tactical / Survival Shovel?
Shovels are simple devices – you have a metal spade attached to a handle, not much to see here, right? Not exactly. As they say, “there’s a tool for every task and a task for every tool.” The steel and aluminum used in the blade and handle can be of varying quality, and your tactical shovel is definitely not something you want to break deep in the backcountry. The shovel’s weight and length can be tailored to your needs, too, depending on how it will be carried.
Steel
There are pros and cons to every type of steel used in tactical shovels, like purchasing a knife. Stainless steel shovels will be easier to care for as they don’t rust, even if you leave a clump of wet mud on it when it gets put away. Stainless isn’t as strong as carbon steel, though; it’s more likely to deform under pressure. Stainless won’t keep an edge and won’t get as sharp even after you use a sharpening stone.
If all you’re doing is digging, maybe that doesn’t matter to you. Customers that need a fine edge for chopping wood with their survival shovel should stay clear of stainless steel. These are often identified by a “Cr” in their designation number, indicating chromium.
Carbon steel is the preferred metal for high-quality tools. Shovel blades made from carbon steel are harder and less prone to dulling. If you need a sharp edge on your shovel blade, you can get it razor-thin with some time on a sharpening stone. It’s easily recognizable by its matte finish, which will rust if left out in the elements or exposed to moisture. Some companies add a protective powder coating to their carbon steel, but this thin layer wears off with even moderate use. Carbon steel shovels require maintenance and aren’t the best option for buyers that want to set them aside and forget them until a need arises.
A compromise between carbon and stainless steel is alloy steel. It takes the properties of both metals and combines them into one. Alloy steel isn’t exactly rustproof, but it is more durable than its stainless counterparts.
Length
Why would you need a longer shovel? Two reasons: leverage and comfort.
“Give me a long enough lever and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world” – Archimedes
The longer your shovel’s handle, the more force you can exert with it. If you’re digging through a hardpack or need to pry a rock out, that extra leverage can be quite useful.
A longer handle also means less bending over. Some of the shorter folding shovels look like they’re designed to be used while on your knees. That’s bad for your back and certainly doesn’t make for a fun camping experience. A shorter shovel is only useful if you need to cut weight (such as on a backcountry adventure) or don’t have a lot of storage space. In the latter case, you can probably find a shovel with multiple handle sections to give yourself a long enough lever without taking up a lot of space.
Weight
The biggest difference between a tactical shovel and one designed for gardening is the weight. The vast majority of folding shovels come with a steel blade but have handles made from lighter-weight materials, with aluminum being the most common choice. Aluminum isn’t as strong as steel, so there’s some risk of bending the handle if too much force is applied to it. Many shovels use plastic parts around their pivot point, which is another common point of failure.
If weight isn’t your biggest concern, look for thicker materials in the handle and blade. You should also avoid any plastic parts and look for a shovel that has a beefy pivot point. Backcountry campers will need to be more careful with their lightweight (i.e., more fragile) shovels.
Blade Size
Tactical shovels usually have smaller blades compared to the ones you have in your shed. Functionality isn’t the top priority; compactness is. Most tactical shovels have a blade that’s between four and seven inches wide. Compare that to the eight to twelve-inch blade on your standard digging shovel. A tactical shovel isn’t going to move a lot of earth very fast.
For most buyers, that’s perfectly fine. It doesn’t take a very large blade to pry up a rock or dig a cathole for yourself. That being said, a wider blade will make your work easier in most circumstances. It will also add weight and make the shovel less compact, which is a big problem for backcountry campers and not very important for anyone storing the tactical shovel in their vehicle.
Handle Type
Two types of handles pervade the tactical shovel market: folding and screw-in. Folding shovel blades are permanently attached to the handle via a pivot point, and the handle is a single piece. Screw-in models usually have the blade attached to a small handle section, which may or may not be used independently. Extension tubes are then screwed into this to give a full-length handle.
Folding tactical shovels are generally shorter but more durable than their screw-in counterparts. A one-piece design has fewer points of failure; if there’s one spot on a screw-in style shovel that’s going to break, it’s where the pieces come together. However, folding shovels are usually less than two feet long. Anything longer, and it doesn’t really qualify as a tactical shovel, would be a run-of-the-mill garden shovel.
If you’ve got the back for it and can operate the shovel from a kneeling position, a folding shovel is more functional. Most people prefer to use a shovel from a standing position and need the extension tubes found on screw-in models. Screw-in shovels are usually less heavy too.
What do you need? Backpacking vs Survival vs Camping vs Tactical
By nature, a shovel has many uses and an equal number of scenarios where it would come in handy – no shovel is ideal for all of them.
Backpacking
If you’re backcountry camping, weight is the most important consideration. All those little extras packed in the handle? Probably just dead weight. Take them out and carry only enough handle length to do what you need to do. That’s also an argument for purchasing a tactical shovel that can be broken down into several pieces; you should only carry what you need for that backpacking trip.
Survival
If you’re purchasing a survival shovel, the situation calls for almost the exact opposite. You’ll carry it in your vehicle for when catastrophe strikes (truck breaks down, a natural disaster hits, any sort of bug-out scenario), and weight won’t matter. Having an extensive set of tools could be a lifesaver, though. You don’t know what the situation will call for, so having an ax, a survival knife, saw, firestarter, and ice chisel all packed into one tool isn’t such a bad idea.
Camping
Camping shovels fall somewhere in the middle. You’ll probably get a lot of use out of this tool, so it should be durable and easy enough to handle. The extra weight that comes from a handle full of tools isn’t going to be a problem, but you’ll also have a good idea of what tasks you’ll be doing at the campground, and some of the tools will prove to be unneeded.
Tactical
On the other hand, a tactical shovel needs to do two things: dig and act as a defensive weapon. These two roles could conflict with each other as you might want a heavy tool for digging and a lightweight one for swinging at an attacker. Most importantly, it should feel good in your hands, with a solid grip and balanced design.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that an intimidating-looking shovel is a good tactical shovel. That’s all marketing and won’t do anything for you should a conflict arise.
Trade-offs: The race to shove in another utility
These days nearly every tactical shovel has ten different uses; you can chop wood or hoe a garden, or start a fire. The shovels are packaged with a bevy of little tools stored inside the shovel’s handle. But how often are you actually going to use any of these gadgets? First and foremost, you are buying a shovel. If you need a firestarter, you should probably buy a dedicated firestarter.
The tradeoff with any of these included pieces is that they’re not going to work as well as tools designed for a single purpose. All of those extras add weight to the tactical shovel, too; to prevent it from being overly bulky, most companies will build all of the tools (shovel included) out of lighter, lower-quality metal.
The takeaway: think about which tools you’ll actually use out of the half dozen or more that come packed in your tactical shovel’s handle. If it’s just one or two, spend the money on a better shovel and buy those tools separately. You’ll be much happier with each of your tools, and it’ll probably cost less. If several instruments are included with the survival shovel that you’ll use on every camping trip, then a multi-tool setup might be worth getting.
Tactical Shovels: Frequently Asked Questions
What Can I Do With a Tactical Shovel
- Use the pick or shovel blade to break a hole in a sheet of ice. Then you can collect water or set up an ice fishing spot.
- Free a stuck vehicle. Use the shovel blade to clear mud from around the tires and axles.
- Dig a fire pit. This will prevent embers from flying around and starting a forest fire.
- Use the shovel blade’s serrated edge to saw tree branches for firewood.
- Dig a cat hole for defecation.
- Light a fire by striking the shovel blade on an included Ferro rod.
- Clear a campsite of rocks and debris.
- Chop wood using the sharpened face of the shovel blade.
- Defend yourself against human or animal attackers.
How Do I Maintain My Tactical Shovel
Two things to be concerned about with your tactical shovel are dulling and oxidation. Dulling will happen with frequent use, especially if you’re digging up rocks or other hard materials. If you have a stainless steel shovel blade, dulling will happen sooner. To bring your shovel back to its former greatness, you’ll need to work on it with a sharpening stone. This is very similar to sharpening a knife, but you’ll be working with a larger surface, which can be intimidating. High carbon steel shovel blades are easier to sharpen and will come to a finer edge. Remember, though; this is a shovel, not a knife; it doesn’t need to be razor-sharp.
Oxidation, or rusting, is the other major issue you’ll run into. If your shovel blade is stainless steel, rusting should be minimal as the alloy already contains a protective coating. High carbon steel is very prone to rust, and it’s best to add a coat of oil whenever it goes into storage. Many campers and survivalists use gun oil, but a general-purpose lubricant like WD-40 works well too. Be sure to oil the hinges and any parts with metal on metal contact, such as where the handle’s extension tubes fit together.
What’s the Best Way to Dig a Hole with a Tactical Shovel?
Tactical shovels have an advantage over traditional shovels in that many come packaged with a pick. If you need to dig a hole in hard-packed dirt, start by breaking up the soil with the pick. Then you can use the shovel blade to remove the loose dirt. This is a much better strategy than prying up rock-hard soil with the shovel blade.
Conclusion
A tactical shovel is a true multi-tool that would make an excellent addition to anyone’s camping kit or bug-out bag. It’s the sort of item that you never thought you’d need until you actually do. Fortunately, most models are fairly inexpensive and can easily fit in your backpack or under the seat in your car. More expensive models will last a lifetime, and with proper maintenance, work as well as the day you bought it twenty years down the road.
Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade
Gerber’s folding spade is ideal for backpackers and survivalists that desire a robust and foolproof method for digging holes. There are no bells and whistles, just a high-quality tool ready to do the job.
Ryan is an outdoor enthusiast and gear expert originally from Montana who spent four years living in Boston, after stints in India, Rwanda, Senegal, and elsewhere. He and his wife are on a new journey to travel the world and blog about their adventures at Passions and Places.
Do you know one of our (Zunelotoo) shovel advantages is it won’t be rusty after you use it under salt water? We have tested it and anti-corrosion is one of the very important concerns when we design and make our products. That is why our shovel has over 100+ procedures and takes about 3 months to finish. Thank you!