Camp shovel suggestions

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smlobx

Lost again
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May 25, 2015
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North Carolina
Howdy fellow wanderers!

I’m interested in any suggestions you have on replacing my camp shovel. I primarily use a shovel for:

1. Digging cat holes
2. Stirring coals and ashes in a fire
3. Very occasionally digging my self out of a stuck hole.

I would like something that is collapsable and somewhat lightweight but strong enough for #3.

What are you using that you like?
 
I have a Schrade telescoping shovel that takes very little room. The video is a bit over the top (ok, a lot over the top) macho, but it gives you the idea of size size and function. About $35. There are several videos on YouTube.

That said, I wouldn’t want to do a lot of work with it. For real work, a full size shovel strapped to the Yakima bars is my preference.
 
 
For years I have always carried one of each of these. Each works well and takes up little space. A few weeks ago someone on this site suggested carrying two shovels so that should you become stuck, you can enlist your friend, wife, etc. in the getting unstuck process. I thought it was a brilliant idea. :D

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/us-military-surplus-folding-shovel-with-molded-cover-new?a=2059712&szc=000&clrc=000&pm2d=CSE-SPG-15-PLA&utm_medium=PLA&utm_source=Google&utm_campaign=CI&gclid=CjwKCAiAtej9BRAvEiwA0UAWXp2KcZgtvQRoInLCKTuFJPZKWi96UpkgB-3Q3RybPHvFnOP2noEDUBoCb9IQAvD_BwE

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/lawn-and-garden/gardening-tools/digging-tools/7135049
 
Wandering Sagebrush said:
That said, I wouldn’t want to do a lot of work with it. For real work, a full size shovel strapped to the Yakima bars is my preference.
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I have always found, when I've needed a shovel I've needed a real shovel. One's been up on the Yakima shovel rack for over 35 years and it has earned its keep.
 
OK those of you that carry full sized and not just a military type "E" tool what have you actually used and needed full size for? I love that my E tool is small and light. Loan it all the time for cat holes and fire tending. I have really NEVER desire a full size shovel. I guess they are used but just never saw or needed. I'm not trying to be negative towards them... just planning a long trip and wondering.
 
XJINTX said:
OK those of you that carry full sized and not just a military type "E" tool what have you actually used and needed full size for? I love that my E tool is small and light. Loan it all the time for cat holes and fire tending. I have really NEVER desire a full size shovel. I guess they are used but just never saw or needed. I'm not trying to be negative towards them... just planning a long trip and wondering.
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Roger, it sure is easier on my back to have a full length shovel if I have some serious digging to do.
 
XJINTX said:
OK those of you that carry full sized and not just a military type "E" tool what have you actually used and needed full size for? . . .
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I use a full sized shovel to keep my back happy.
 
XJINTX said:
OK those of you that carry full sized and not just a military type "E" tool what have you actually used and needed full size for? I love that my E tool is small and light. Loan it all the time for cat holes and fire tending. I have really NEVER desire a full size shovel. I guess they are used but just never saw or needed. I'm not trying to be negative towards them... just planning a long trip and wondering.
Click to expand...
Fair question and happy to answer. We come upon others who are stuck and it has taken an awful lot of digging. Both for the back and long reach, full sized shovel. The other common use for us is cleaning up others improper disposal/burial of human waste, toilet paper, etc. Oh, how I love a long handle.

Example, these bighorn hunters we found in central Nevada

Wonder-Dec-2016-076-copy.jpg
 
Wow, I never thought this would be such a thought provoking thread!

While I can see the benefits of a long handle shovel I really don’t have the space to do so. Ideally I’d like to keep the overall length (when stored) to be no more than 36” or so....
 
smlobx said:
Wow, I never thought this would be such a thought provoking thread!

While I can see the benefits of a long handle shovel I really don’t have the space to do so. Ideally I’d like to keep the overall length (when stored) to be no more than 36” or so....
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Eddie, if you do decide to go with a full size shovel, consider putting it on the roof racks. I use a Yakima bike wheel tray to secure it, and in the spirit of honesty, I stole that idea from the Ski3Pins.

After all. —> Plagiarism is a sincere form of honesty.
 
I am in the full size shovel camp. I used to have a D-handle 36" but since have gone to the full size. It is really nice to have the reach of a full size shovel to get under a vehicle.

LuckyDan said:
While I’m firmly in the carrying a full size shovel camp, one of these came up on my local Craigslist a day or two ago:

https://hi-lift.com/products/handle-all/

Didn’t know such a thing/kit existed. Sure enough I found out it’s a legitimate Hi Lift product.
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Several of my friends have these or homemade versions. I like them and they can really take a ton of abuse.

Wandering Sagebrush said:
Eddie, if you do decide to go with a full size shovel, consider putting it on the roof racks.
Click to expand...
This is what I do now. I have a "Friend" who backed into a deep snow covered ditch and not been able to get the camper door open without a TON of shoveling. Oh and the shovel was in the camper
 
Ours is mounted right rear area so I can stand on the rear tire and unclip and retrieve the shovel - with the top down of course.
 
Sioux and I are in the two shovel camp. We keep a long handle shovel in the (where else) 'shovel box' built in to our flat bed. (We
fortunately almost never need to use it.)

But I found this shovel dinking around Amazon and it has been brilliant for cat holes (slices through roots like crazy), tending the fire, etc. Overkill? Sure. But we all need the fun of not-too-expensive-toys in these crazy times. (Or at least I do!)
 
I use a 40" D handle. I store it right behind the front seats of my Tundra.
 

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Full size shovel. Someone could steal it sure, but its been on there for years and no ones touched it.

 
craig333 said:
Full size shovel. Someone could steal it sure, but its been on there for years and no ones touched it.
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The other side of this - I cannot count the number of times we have returned to our truck at a trailhead, etc., and found a note saying, "We used your shovel, we put it back, thanks so much for having a shovel!" And several times the note included, "And thank god you had one to use!"


note_on_truck.jpg
 
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