I think you’ll agree with me when i say…
Portable shovel comes pretty handy during a survival situation or an outdoor adventure ….
But finding a good shovel nowadays has become pretty hard. Because there are too many options available in the market. And it seems overwhelming.
So In this post I’ll review some of the best portable shovel for survival. And i’ll cover all the good and bad aspects in detail. So that you can finally decide which one to buy.
Best Survival Shovel
In this article...
1. SOG Folding Shovel Survival Shovel
The SOG folding shovel is a compact survival shovel that is made to move heavy loads during the camp outs. The shovel is made up of high-carbon steel which is of high quality. The construction of the shovel is super sleek with good attention to detail.
Every joint is properly designed to provide strength without sacrificing the versatility. It is super durable for a mini shovel that can be packed into a small case. It features a sawtooth edge that comes handy from time to time. It also has a super tough black oxide coating that protects it from rusting.
Moreover, the shovel is very lightweight and compact for a foldable military shovel. It features a 3-way folding design that collapses into a portable outdoor tool. Due to its portability and lightweight nature. It is great for outdoor survival or even for emergency situations.
The shovel also comes with a durable ballistic nylon carry pack that helps to store it nicely. The pack also features a belt loop that makes it very easy to carry shovels around without any hassle. Talking about the usability, the shovel is easy to use but there is a learning curve.
It takes time to get used to the compact form factor if you are accustomed to working with a regular shovel. It is not very comfortable to use the shovel while standing. So you have to crouch down to make your job easy. Other than this everything is very comfortable and similar to a regular shovel.
2. Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade, Serrated Edge [30-000075], black
Gerber E-tool folding spade is a sturdy and reliable survival shovel. That is perfect for the gardeners, campers or even hunters. The shovel is made up of high-carbon steel spade which is very durable and sturdy. The material is known for its high tensile strength and wear resistance properties.
The construction is very solid and can withstand extensive use in a variety of environments. It consists of serrations on the one edge that helps to saw through grass, plants or even cut into the ice. The glass-filled nylon handle has an open design that provides good room for a comfortable firm grip.
The shovel also has a black oxide coating on it which makes it look good and also protects it from rusting. Moreover, the entire shovel is lightweight and very portable for versatile use. It sits just over 2 pounds and measures just over 9 inches in length when closed.
This makes it easy to pack into campgrounds or hunting sites without much effort. Its smaller size also comes handy in compact spaces where a regular shovel won’t be much of a help. However, it does not come with any kind of sheath or carry pouch to safely carry it while on the move. It is really inconvenient to carry it in a backpack.
Furthermore, it is very easy to use it for entrenchment tasks. However, it needs some practice to get used to due to the smaller size. Another thing is that it is not very comfortable to use while standing. So you need to bend down in order to use it properly.
3. iunio Folding Shovel (combo pack)
The iunio folding shovel is a portable camping multitool that is designed to provide convenience to the campers. The shovel is made up of high-carbon steel that is durable and sturdy. The material is known for its high tensile strength and wear resistance properties.
The whole construction is well thought of and it is built to last long. The grip on the handle is made of rubber and provides good control over the tool. Even after heavy use it held up very well and provided us with good results. The shovel also has a black oxide coating on it which makes it look good and also protects it from rusting.
Moreover, the shovel is quite lightweight. And portable to be easily carried around in the backpack. The front blade of the shovel folds up nicely and the rest of the body can be unscrewed in order to disable it. This way it takes up less space and provides the full functionality of a regular shovel.
It also comes with a high-quality tactical waist pack for storing and carrying the shovel. The included belt loop on the pack makes it very convenient to carry it after use. Furthermore, it consists of the various features that are not present in a regular shovel.
You can use it as a shovel board, saw, bottle opener, pickaxe or however you like. All the features work well. And we were able to perform some entrenchment tasks without any problem.
Unlike other folding shovels, it can get a lot longer by adding more extensions according to your height. This makes the job easy as well as comfortable. The shovel also consists of a whistle, glass breaker. And fire starter for emergency situations.
4. Schrade SCHSH1 16.6in Stainless Steel Telescoping Shovel
Schrade SCHSH1 is a dependable and easy to use survival shovel that comes with a unique handle. The shovel is made up of 3Cr13 stainless steel blade that is very durable and reliable. It has a very unique design and sharp edge helps to dig deep and reduce the burden. It is solidly constructed to serve longer than most of the survival shovels.
The handle of the shovel is made of polypropylene with an aluminium tube on inside to provide comfort as well as strength. It is also covered with blade oxide coating to provide good protection against rust. However, it does not consist of serrations on the edge that limits its functionality.
Moreover, the shovel weighs around 15.7 oz which makes it very lightweight for a folding shovel. It measures 10 inches when collapsed which also makes it portable. A combination of these two qualities makes it a very ideal tool for camping or hunting. The shovel also comes with a nice sheath that protects the blade when not in use.
However, it would be much better if the sheath covers the entire shovel instead of covering only the blade. Furthermore, the shovel is very comfortable to use as long as you are doing it right. Due to its smaller size, it is best to use it while crouching down. This way the task becomes much easier and simpler.
5. Rhino USA Folding Survival Shovel w/Pick – (combo pack)
The Rhino USA folding survival shovel is a heavy-duty shovel that is designed similar to a military-style entrenching tool. The shovel is made up of high-carbon steel which is of high quality. The construction of the shovel is super tough and consists of a pickaxe for breaking the ice or hard ground.
Every joint is properly designed to provide strength without sacrificing the versatility. It features a rugged sawtooth edge that comes handy from time to time. It also has a durable black oxide coating that protects it from rusting.
Moreover, the shovel is quite lightweight. And portable to be easily carried around in the backpack. The front blade and the handle folds up nicely and makes it very compact. This way it takes up less space and provides the full functionality of a regular shovel.
It also comes with a high-quality tactical waist pack for storing and carrying the shovel. The included belt loop on the pack makes it very convenient to carry it after use. Furthermore, it has a big handle that helps to provide a firm and comfortable grip on the shovel.
Even with its small size, we did not find any problem with the functionality of the shovel. However, people with tall height might find it a bit difficult to use without any practice.
6. Glock Entrenching Tool with Saw and Pouch
Glock entrenching tools is durable and reliable survival shovel. That perform some heavy entrenching tasks without any issues. The shovel is made of the durable high-carbon steel that can withstand heavy load.
The construction is very sturdy. And it has no welding as well as rivets which enhances the overall durability of the tool. The handle of the shovel is made up of high-quality polymer that is very rugged and reliable. It is also extendable that provides flexibility during the work.
The blade of the shovel is covered in black oxide coating that helps to provide good protection against rust. Moreover, the shovel has a weight of about 2 pounds which makes it fairly lightweight. It also collapses nicely and becomes very compact.
This way it takes up less space and provides the full functionality of a regular shovel. The shovel also consists of a carry pouch which is made up of ballistic nylon material. It is quite durable and provides a secure way to store the shovel with any hassle. It also consists of a belt loop that helps to carry it around easily.
Furthermore, the shovel is provided with a small saw that comes very handy to saw through grass, plants and roots. As for the usage goes, it is very easy and somewhat comfortable to use it for entrenching task. However, due to its straight handle, it is not very comfortable during heavy tasks.
7. Coleman Folding Shovel with Pick
Coleman folding shovel is a super-compact survival shovel that can do pretty much everything. The shovel is made up of a tempered forged steel compound which is tough and durable. The construction of the shovel is very nice and consists of a pickaxe for breaking the ice or hard ground.
However, the front blade wobbles a bit while doing some heavy work. It also has a durable black oxide coating that protects it from rusting. Moreover, the shovel is very lightweight. And highly portable to be easily carried around in the backpack.
The front blade and the handle folds up nicely and makes it very compact. The handle is also detachable to take up less space. And provides the full functionality of a regular shovel. It also comes with a waist pack for storing and carrying the shovel. The pack consists of a belt loop that helps to carry it around with much hassle.
However, the waist pack is quite flimsy and does not last long. Furthermore, the handle is included with comfortable rubber grips that help provide a firm grip on the shovel.
Even with its small size, we did not find any problem with the functionality of the shovel. However, it is not suitable for a heavy workload. And feels very uncomfortable after using it for a longer period of time.
Things to consider before buying a survival shovel
These are the main things to look for while buying a survival shovel
Material and Built
One of the first things you should look for while buying a shovel is the build quality of the blade. It should be a sturdy piece of metal rather than a thin sheet that damages easily when you put pressure on it. The materials used, plays a very critical role in it.
The most suitable materials for making shovels is either high-carbon steel or stainless steel. They are spray painted mostly with black oxide paint to prevent it from corrosion. The handles of the shovel can be made of either hard plastic or metal. It is up to you if you prioritize extra durability or lightweight.
Ease of use
Next, you should look for how easy and comfortable the shovel is. Try to get a shovel that is more ergonomically designed with a T or D grip to give you additional support. The handle of the shovel should also be adjustable to suit your height.
The shorter the handle, the more you have to bend while using it. The bigger the handle, the less portable it will be. So choosing an adjustable handle is the best thing you can do.
Portability
The whole point of a survival shovel over a regular shovel is portability. A good survival shovel should be lightweight. And compact to easily be carried inside the backpack. Prefer a shovel where both the handle and the blade can be folded to a very small size.
