Good BOB shovel

[sewvacman]

B_O: The design of the Standard issue eTool is what I want, without the weight. I like that it folds and I like how stout it is and the pick would really come in handy. I just want it in a lighter material that is strong enough to do the job.

DM: Well the last two times I went camping in the winter the wind picked up and we had fire/cooking issues. I stayed warm because I prepared well for sleeping at night but ate cold beans and potato chips for dinner. I had been prescribing to the book of "have a good thick pry bar of a knife to dig with" philosophy and learned what a real PIA a Montana hole is to dig with anything other than a shovel. Especially when the ground is frozen and rocky.

I could probably get away with a really good gardening trowel for the BOB but it would have to be extremely well made with a tad longer handle than normal.
I am having second thought on the cold steel for the truck now, I travel to DC too often and with those crazy ass rules they have..........so I'm thinking of just keeping what I have there.

[dhrith]

For a one to three day BoB I typically go with a metal gardening trowel. Anything more involved (ruck) I use/carry an e-tool. If I had to go somewhere in between I'd lean towards the e-tool.

[JasonB1]

B_O: The design of the Standard issue eTool is what I want, without the weight. I like that it folds and I like how stout it is and the pick would really come in handy. I just want it in a lighter material that is strong enough to do the job.

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The closest thing to your list of wants above is the Glock. Sans the pick of course, but I have only seen that feature on M1951 type tools.

[dash1]

I've seen the military entrenching tool used for all manner of purposes, such as a field expedient toilet seat, Esbit stove, stake, axe, grappling hook (not a very good one though), etc.

There are many uses for a shovel that I can think of besides digging a fighting position, such as a cat hole (no one likes to encounter a surface laid mine), fire pit, drainage trench, aiding a stuck vehicle, etc.

[Canonninja]

a bit bigger than what's been said here, but I carry a MaxAx kit in my truck and one on my mystery ranch pack (on the side straps). I got em for an insane deal each, both are military green kits and I absolutely love em for impromptu camping trips

[Dead Man]

I've seen the military entrenching tool used for all manner of purposes, such as a field expedient toilet seat, Esbit stove, stake, axe, grappling hook (not a very good one though), etc.

There are many uses for a shovel that I can think of besides digging a fighting position, such as a cat hole (no one likes to encounter a surface laid mine), fire pit, drainage trench, aiding a stuck vehicle, etc.

Lots of uses does not equal need, however.

My personal philosophy to putting things in packs that will be propelled by my own legs is to carry as little as necessary, and absolutely nothing unnecessary. In a "bug out" situation I envision, there's not only no need for comfort or convenience, there's not even any time for it even if you could utilize it. You're getting from point A to point B and trying to do it in the least amount of time with the least caloric/sweat expenditure as possible.

[dhrith]

This is one of the best quantifications of the situation that I've seen.
I think a lot of people get hung up on trying to make another persons vision of the objective, equal their own. They don't, so naturally you get different opinions and results.

Lots of uses does not equal need, however.

My personal philosophy to putting things in packs that will be propelled by my own legs is to carry as little as necessary, and absolutely nothing unnecessary. In a "bug out" situation I envision, there's not only no need for comfort or convenience, there's not even any time for it even if you could utilize it. You're getting from point A to point B and trying to do it in the least amount of time with the least caloric/sweat expenditure as possible.

[dash1]

Lots of uses does not equal need, however.

My personal philosophy to putting things in packs that will be propelled by my own legs is to carry as little as necessary, and absolutely nothing unnecessary. In a "bug out" situation I envision, there's not only no need for comfort or convenience, there's not even any time for it even if you could utilize it. You're getting from point A to point B and trying to do it in the least amount of time with the least caloric/sweat expenditure as possible.

The OP defined his need for a shovel. His question is not about whether he should carry a shovel, but which kind.

[sewvacman]

a bit bigger than what's been said here, but I carry a MaxAx kit in my truck and one on my mystery ranch pack (on the side straps). I got em for an insane deal each, both are military green kits and I absolutely love em for impromptu camping trips

That is absolutely bada**. This would be way more than I would ever want/need camping but I may have to go with it in my truck. Have you used it enough to get it good and dirty and if so, how hard is it to put together/take apart once it's used? How stable is everything, any wobble?

Again, my needs are for 2 shovels, one for the truck toolbox for digging myself/others out, boyscout campouts etc.. Another for basically Montana holes when the wind picks up while camping. Lightweight and durability is key on the second one. A pick would be nice for frozen ground but not a requirement. Leaning toward a heavy duty garden trowel for that one.

[EzGoingKev]

Call me old school but I always liked the military issued folders with the wooden handle.