2 best survival shovels

Survival shovels, also known as folding shovels or tactical shovels, are versatile and compact tools designed for outdoor enthusiasts, campers, hikers, and survivalists.These shovels are known for their ability to perform a variety of functions beyond just digging. Here's what you need to know about survival shovels:

  1. Multifunctional Design: Survival shovels are designed to serve multiple purposes, making them useful in various outdoor and survival scenarios. Some common features and functions include:

    • Digging: Their primary function is digging, whether for digging fire pits, latrines, or emergency shelters.
    • Chopping: Many survival shovels have a sharpened edge, allowing them to be used as small axes or hatchets for cutting wood and other materials.
    • Sawing: Some models feature serrated edges or saw blades for cutting through branches and foliage.
    • Hammering: The flat end of the shovel can be used as a hammer for driving stakes or pounding objects.
    • Bottle Opener: Some shovels have a built-in bottle opener for added convenience.
    • Compass: A few survival shovels include an integrated compass to aid in navigation.

  2. Portability: One of the key advantages of survival shovels is their compact and foldable design. They can be easily packed into a backpack, car trunk, or bug-out bag, taking up minimal space.

  3. Materials: These shovels are typically made from durable materials like stainless steel or high-carbon steel to withstand heavy use and rough conditions. The handles are often made from lightweight but sturdy materials like aluminum or reinforced plastic.

  4. Handle Types: Survival shovels may come with various handle designs, including telescopic handles or folding handles that allow for compact storage. Some models also have detachable handles for added versatility.

  5. Carrying Options: Many survival shovels come with a sheath or carrying pouch that can be attached to a belt or backpack for easy access and transport.

  6. Emergency Situations: Survival shovels are valuable in emergency situations, such as when you need to dig yourself out of snow or debris, create a fire pit, or build a shelter. Their multifunctional capabilities make them versatile tools for survival.

  7. Camping and Outdoor Activities: Campers and outdoor enthusiasts often use survival shovels for tasks like digging trenches around a campsite to divert rainwater or for general campsite maintenance.

  8. Preparedness: Survival shovels are included in bug-out bags and emergency kits as they can help with various survival tasks, including digging for water, building temporary barriers, or self-defense in extreme situations.

In summary, survival shovels are practical and versatile tools designed to assist with various outdoor activities and survival situations. Their compact and multifunctional design makes them valuable additions to camping gear, bug-out bags, and emergency kits. When choosing a survival shovel, consider factors like the intended use, materials, and portability to ensure it meets your specific needs.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best survival shovels on the market
  

SOG Folding Shovel Survival Shovel – Entrenching Tool 18.25 Inch Foldable Shovel Camping Shovel w/ Wood Saw Edge and Tactical Shovel Carry Case (F08-N),black

SOG Specialty Knives

Based on 4 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The SOG Entrenching Tool advances the tradition of the classic survival shovel by making it more durable, more portable and more powerful. Hang it from your belt using the included ballistic nylon sheath or keep it in your pack for digging, hoeing, sawing and other essential survival tasks.

From the Manufacturer

A folding shovel can be an indispensable tool in today's constantly changing environment. When you need to move sand, dirt or snow you wish you had that shovel close at hand. The all-steel construction entrenching tool features a tempered-steel blade with teeth cut into it for cutting and slashing. The triangular handle is strong and fits the hand well.

  • BARELY BIGGER THAN YOUR HAND: That’s the size of the Entrenching Tool when folded; this camp shovel, snow shovel, sand shovel or gardening shovel works as a small shovel for big jobs
  • 18.25 INCH FULL LENGTH, 24.5 OUNCES: Foldable military shovel and hunting shovel w/ a wood saw edge and a rotating spade shovel blade to use as a pick or hoe; versatile E tool w/ strong shovel handle
  • 3-WAY FOLDING DESIGN: Hand shovel collapses into a portable outdoor shovel, emergency shovel and hiking shovel; a compact E tool for your camping gear that’s not as bulky as other shovels for digging
  • HIGH-CARBON STEEL CONSTRUCTION AND CARRY CASE: Super durable for a mini shovel; pack it into its small shovel case and carry it on your back pack or belt
  • SOG TACTICAL SHOVEL FOR LIFE: Take care of your folding shovel and we’ll take care of you; SOG shovels for digging are built to last, and we consider all repair and replacement requests

User questions & answers

Question: does it come with a pouch
Answer: amazon wont do it nobody will
Question: Is every part of it full-metal, or is part metal, part plastic
Answer: No, it does not come with a storage bag.
Question: Could you fry bacon over a fire with this shovel
Answer: I am not sure what you are talking about. This tool is for cleaning ice and snow off of car and truck windows. There is a scrapper on one end and a brush and squeegee on the other end.
Question: Is the locking ring made of plastic on the new ones? How well do they hold up long term? I plan on using it for metal detecting
Answer: No

Sahara Sailor Survival Shovel with Axe, High Carbon Steel Tactical Shovel Camping Shovel Hatchet Combo - 4 Thicken Extension Handles, 20-39.5 Inch Survival Gear and Equipment for Hiking Camping

Sahara Sailor

Based on 124 reviews Check latest price
  • TOUGHEST MILITARY GRADE MATERIAL: The reinforced shovel is made from hardened, heat-treated military solid carbon steel; its head is tough enough to survive any situation. Additionally, it's military-grade thicken handle makes it a breeze to work with. Handle abuse and multiple amounts of impact without scratches or dents
  • 24-in-1 SURVIVAL TOOL: Features 24 tools in this convenient folding shovel: shovel board, saw, hatchet, hoe, hexagonal wrench, knife, hunting spear, bottle opener, screwdriver, blade, compass, fire starter, whistle, etc... It's ideal for off-roading, camping, hiking, SUVing, backpacking, fishing, RV camping, and a must-have for expeditionist, cadet, scout, military personnel, hikers, camper, hunter, fisherman, gardener, survivalist, truck driver, motorcyclist, etc.
  • SURVIVAL SHOVEL WITH AXE - The hatchet is made from a strong mix of chromium and high carbon steel. Two of the most rigid metals that can handle any kind of abuse and impact. It's super sturdy chopping down trees and splitting wood. This shovel has passed the durability tests and our destruction tests and will be standing the test of time
  • SCREW-ON EXTENSIONS BARS - Except for being an ordinary folding shovel, you can extend this shovel to a comfortable size for standing up digging. You can choose the length of the shovel by adding less or more extensions according to your height; Each extension bar is 7.3 inches; The shovel can be from 9.05 inch when folded to 39.5 inches when fully extended 
  • EASE of ASSEMBLY & STORAGE - Let's face it, some shovels may be a little hard to store in an EDC bag if they are fully assembled. That's why you'll need to find a shovel that will be easy to put together and easy to disassemble when you have finished using it and want to store it back in the bag. Folding shovels by Sahara Sailor will likely be your best bet if storage is important

Product features

Why Do You Need a Survival Shovel with an Axe?

If you like adventuring in the great outdoors, a reliable camping shovel with an axe is about the best survival tool you can have on hand. It’s relatively small and easy to carry around (compared to a regular shovel), but really sturdy and helpful in a variety of situations you will encounter while hiking, camping, climbing etc.

The Word's Best Camping Shovel Axe Set

  • Highly versatile
  • Anti-slip grip on the deal
  • Easy to use and assemble
  • Small enough to fit in any day bag
  • Holds up over time and through many uses

Made to outperform and perfect for every outdoor adventure. The Sahara Sailor Shovel with axe set is the best survival tool for any condition.

24-in-1 Multifunction Gear

Ideal for Off-roading, Camping, Hiking, SUVing, Backpacking, Fishing, Disaster Recovery, RV Camping, and a must have for Expeditionist, Cadet, Scout, Military Personnel, Hikers, Camper, Hunter, Fisherman, Gardener, Survivalist, Truck driver, Motorcyclist, etc.

The Ultimate Survival Tool

Be prepared for anything. The Sahara Sailor tactical shovel is a lifesaving survival tool that’s perfect for any adventure. It’s lightweight and packable, so you can keep it anywhere, from your car to your bug-out bag. EDC, BOB, or camping bag.

Additional Camping Hatchet

The hatchet head is made from steel with a hammer at the back. It has an excellent grip and a balanced weight. It chops wood as deftly as it does bone, and the textured grip won’t get all slippy on you when you’re elbow-deep in the underbelly—Perfect for procuring your own dinner from the land that surrounds you.

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