View Full Version : Shovels
Little Mole
10-10-2004, 17:32
How many of you carry shovels and what are they like?
i dont as yet but i am planning on getting one of these from gary (http://www.bearclawbushcraft.co.uk/trading/misc.htm) (bottom of the page) more of a trowl than a shovel :biggthump
Little Mole
10-10-2004, 17:44
That looks very nice. A good bit lighter and smaller than mine (http://www.army-surplus.com/ss_store/media/ET01.jpg).
ChrisKavanaugh
10-10-2004, 17:49
Tom, The U dig it shovel in your link is a excellent unit. For bushcraft latrines are the first use I've found. In wet weather controlling runnoff can make a campsite much more habitable. Winter campers might want to consider a lightweight snow shovel. These usually have a telescoping handle and oftentimes a probe or ice saw inside. If you have avalanche victims or need to contruct a quick shelter they are invaluable. that pretty much leaves the plethora of military surplus type entrenching tools, short shovels with a blade and sometimes pick head on a swivel mount. I've found them usefull as car kit. Packing them seems overkill.
TheViking
10-10-2004, 17:49
Nope they're waste of space, IMO. :wink: Never had the need to dig.
What did you do when you were out camping and nature called? :yikes:
TheViking
10-10-2004, 18:00
What did you do when you were out camping and nature called? :yikes:
Well we always find a way of digging a hole. Or find one that is already there. :wink: But almost every time we've been away, we have been together with someone that had a shovel. :-)
Little Mole
10-10-2004, 18:00
I agree. Mine is too bulky to carry. I may have to get one of those little guys for my rucksack.
Great Pebble
10-10-2004, 18:02
That you see is why I like the NATO e-tool, not only does it dig your hole but also privides a handy seat.
Well we always find a way of digging a hole. Or find one that is already there. :wink: But almost every time we've been away, we have been together with someone that had a shovel. :-)
Oh i see now, it was just where you said you'd never had the need to dig.
TheViking
10-10-2004, 18:11
I meant if we needed it. Which we usually never do, but you know sometimes nature calls and then it might come in handy, but all the companions we've had the last few years, has always had a shovel or similar digging tool. There are quite a few holes in the woods Scott. :wink:
But I think we could argue about this into the next decade so let's resume on MSN as you say. :nana:
Little Mole
10-10-2004, 18:20
There are plenty of holes in the woods...mostly occupied. :yikes:
TheViking
10-10-2004, 18:26
There are plenty of holes in the woods...mostly occupied. :yikes:
No, no, no.... :o): :-P :wink: In the deep woods of Sweden there is plenty of empty holes. And when you're done with whatever was on your mind :wink: then just find something to put in it. Whatever there's at hand. :biggthump
Little Mole
10-10-2004, 18:48
I would probably prefer to use a big rock.
edited to remove unnecessary description of rock usage...I'm not going there.
Swampy Matt
10-10-2004, 18:50
When I get to my camping area, one of the first things I do (after shelter, brew, fire) is make my self a digging stick.
Pointy on one end, 'chisled' at the other - this seems to cover most eventuallities.
This saves me adding any weight to my pack, and usually goes onto the fire before i leave the area, so i'm not carrying it out with me.
Matt
There has been a few threads on here about the excellent book 'How to **** in the woods' it offers good advice on the best methods to enjoy then moment.
Little Mole
10-10-2004, 19:01
In many ways a stick is one of the most useful wilderness companions.
TheViking
10-10-2004, 19:06
There has been a few threads on here about the excellent book 'How to **** in the woods' it offers good advice on the best methods to enjoy then moment.
Take a look at this (http://bill-hay.com/Dump.htm) page. :wink:
"Boldly Going Where No Man Has Gone Before!" :rolmao:
Little Mole
10-10-2004, 19:30
Now that's a great idea...he still has to use a shovel though. It can't be denied they are an important piece of kit.
mojofilter
10-10-2004, 19:33
I have one like yours Little Mole, but it hasnt left home since I swapped my shogun for a civic type-R, good kit but too heavy for anywhere other than the back of a jeep.
Little Mole
10-10-2004, 20:22
On second glances at that web page, he doesn't use a shovel, he uses a stick. So...the shovel can stay in the back of the Molemobile with the big first aid kit, car emergency kit, big maglite, sleeping bag and ground mat. It's a good thing I don't drive a fancy car. :o):
Great Pebble
10-10-2004, 20:38
It's also a good thing that you don't have to carry the heavy kit LM.
For you anyway. :wink:
Little Mole
10-10-2004, 20:43
Shuttup...I carry plenty. You and all your kit must weigh at least a half ton. :o):
I never carry one except during winter, and then it is a snow shovel which is standard safety equipment in the winter mountains.
Like Swampy Matt said, it is a quick thing to make a digging stick.
Paganwolf
10-10-2004, 21:30
:rolmao: i love that link T Viking :rolmao: :You_Rock_
RovingArcher
10-10-2004, 22:43
I carry a small but stout hard plastic garden trowel. If the soil is too hard for the small shovel, I add a digging stick to my list of tools to help with the digging. We carry a swedish mil. issue shovel in our truck kit.
wots with the guys revolver ????? :?:
Tantalus
11-10-2004, 12:05
mebbe he is worried about something like this :?:
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1135267.html
while he is sitting there hobbled by his jeans
Tant
Paganwolf
11-10-2004, 13:25
CRIKEY MATE!!! now thats a candidate for the worlds hardest granny!!! lol nice story Tant :rolmao:
Metala Cabinet
11-10-2004, 13:55
In many ways a stick is one of the most useful wilderness companions.
What did I tell you? By the way it's 'STICKTM'. Available from me for only the cost of postage and packing
plus a £5 handling charge
ditch the SFA and get a billhook. You can scrape/dig a useful hole with the blunt side.
1 Tool 2 used and half the price!
i dont as yet but i am planning on getting one of these from gary (http://www.bearclawbushcraft.co.uk/trading/misc.htm) (bottom of the page) more of a trowl than a shovel :biggthump
I've got one of those TomTom, had it about 12 months - got it from "somewhere else". It's pretty good, small and sturdy, but to be honest, a little on the heavy side. Go to B&Q and get yourself a small, cheap plastic trowel, cut it down to save even more weight and it'll do the job. The only advantage with metal trowels is you can use em with fire embers and such. Usefull if you're building some fancy cooking lay or something.
But.... split a log into a plank, put a point on it and a handle of sorts and you've a shovel - that you didn't have to carry. ;)
I never carry one except during winter, and then it is a snow shovel which is standard safety equipment in the winter mountains.
Like Swampy Matt said, it is a quick thing to make a digging stick.
Going through my winter kit these days (it is getting cold you know), and this is my snow shovel.
http://www.bushcraftuk.net/photopost/data/500/289Bilde_048.jpg
What happend to the attachment ?? :?:
I posted the same way as on British Blades, but the attachment do not seem to be uploaded :?: I'll try to put it in the gallery, and link to the above post.
phaserrifle
03-07-2008, 23:20
I carry one occasionaly.
but I tend to avoid it, partly because of the weight, partly because people start laughing (for reasons I won't go in to)
helixpteron
16-08-2008, 23:41
My choice is the Fiskars/Gerber NATO Folding Spade, for the excellent design, build quality, strength and versatility, supported by Gerber's proven lifetime warranty.
I spent a lot of time on research and the review by Doug Ritter on his Equipped-To-Survive website, and the comments of a Finnish soldier whom had used and was impressed by this model helped form my choice.
In truth, I was quite surprised at just how good this spade is, I rate the quality as on par with my Snap-On's. It feels 100% solid in use. These people were great to buy from:
http://www.shop4gerber.co.uk/foldspade.html
Doug Ritter and Equipped-To-Survive review:
http://www.equipped.com/devices25.htm
This spade, Fiskars/Gerber Gator Folding Saw, GB Mini Hatchet and LMF 'Army' Firesteel put the 'thrive' into survive! (o:
Mesquite
17-08-2008, 09:21
Looks like a 4 year old thread has been dug up :rolleyes:
Don't you just love it! :rolleyes: I also like when somebody votes and doesn't post anything, on a thread that is mega old also!
Problem is, half these links don't even work anymore!
Nothing wrong with a blast from the past every now and again.
Seem like we've been running out of steam a bit since the moot. ;)
crazyclimber
17-08-2008, 21:05
lol also not spotted this one before. For all you winter campers out there, another option: the Snowclaw http://www.snowclaw.com/
Fantastically light and easy to pack compared with a shovel, really strong, and it's sooooo easy to use to dig a snow hole compared with ixe axes alone or even an alu snow shovel, really fast
wilkinson's mini stainless steel garden trowel, £1.29:)