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#5 on this list
Special Forces Shovel
Cold Steel
Solid steel spade with a sharpened edge. Chops roots and small wood, digs fire pits and latrines, lasts decades.
- Price
- USD 34.99
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
#6 on this list
Entrenching Tool (E-tool)
Glock
Folding polymer/steel tool with a saw. The compact overland/vehicle shovel — light, tough, cheap.
- Price
- Check current price
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
Specs side by side
| Spec | Special Forces Shovel | Entrenching Tool (E-tool) |
|---|---|---|
| Maker | Cold Steel | — |
| Material | Medium Carbon Steel | Hardened Steel, Reinforced Polymer |
| Edge | Sharpened Spade | — |
| Weight | Approx. 26.6 oz (754g) | — |
| Overall Length | Approx. 19.69 inches (50 cm) | — |
| Handle | Hardwood | — |
| Manufacturer | — | Glock |
| Features | — | Folding design, Integrated Saw |
| Weight (approx.) | — | 1.3 lbs (590g) |
| Packed Length | — | 10.2 inches (26cm) |
| Extended Length | — | 25 inches (63.5cm) |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Special Forces Shovel
- Extremely durable, built to withstand heavy abuse
- Sharpened edge allows for effective chopping and root cutting
- Highly versatile, functions as a shovel, axe, or pry bar
- Excellent value for its robust construction and utility
- Significantly heavy for backpacking or ultralight setups
- Bulkier than dedicated digging tools
- Not optimized for delicate or precise excavation
- No sheath included, must be purchased separately
Entrenching Tool (E-tool)
- Extremely durable, built to last a lifetime
- Very compact when folded for easy storage
- Integrated saw is surprisingly useful for branches
- Affordable for its robust build quality
- Reliable simple locking mechanism
- Heavier than many pack-specific shovels
- Not ideal for ultralight backpackers
- Saw is basic, not for heavy-duty cutting
Prices change constantly — the figure shown is the last verified catalog price, and the buy buttons always go to the current listing.