Survival Shovels
Buying Guides

Best Survival Shovels That Will Make You Conquer The Great Outdoors

Having the right survival shovel to help you set up camp at the end of a long day of hiking is a godsend. Everything, from leveling the ground to building a firebreak, is just so much easier if you have the right tool for the job.

A survival shovel is also a great help if you have to dig your vehicle out of a really bad mud pit. But with literally thousands of survival tools on the market, how do you choose the best one? Read on. In what follows we will go into more detail about eight of the top survival shovels and explain why they are the best in their field.

SurvivalGrid.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

Zune Lotoo Survival Camping Shovel

Zune Lotoo Survival Camping Shovel

If you can afford the fairly high price, you might never need (or want) another shovel. Not only is the joint thick and noticeably stronger than most other survival shovels, but the Zune Lotoo is made from exceptionally durable martensitic stainless steel.

The shovel head has no less than six different angles and you get a whopping 24 different tools, including a wire cutter, magnesium rod, tactical knife, and even an ax. You should honestly be able to survive out there in the wilderness if you have this tool and some basic survival skills.

FiveJoy Military Folding Shovel

FiveJoy Military Folding Shovel

We were initially somewhat skeptical about the FiveJoy shovel because survival tools that look this good are often not able to withstand heavy use. Luckily we were wrong – not only does this survival shovel look nice, but it is also extremely functional, strong, and versatile.

It’s made from aluminum and carbon steel and boasts an extremely effective anti-slip handle. The FiveJoy also has a couple of added functionalities including a saw, knife, bottle opener, food cutter, magnesium rod, whistle, and a rope that is actually useful and not merely aesthetic.

EST Gear Survival Shovel

EST Gear Survival Shovel

This shovel is made from top-quality solid carbon steel combined with military-grade aluminum, which makes it virtually indestructible. This is probably why the manufacturer offers a lifetime replacement warranty.

The EST Gear is also extremely versatile, offering no less than 18 different functions, including survival shovel, trowel, wire-cutter, hoe, fire starter, bottle opener, knife, ax and saw. Despite that, it doesn’t weigh a ton. It is very compact and easily fits inside the included ripstop nylon pouch. This makes it the ideal shovel to take with you on a survival trip.

Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade

Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade

Why the Gerber stands out from the crowd is because it does what it has to do remarkably well. To begin with: it’s made from top-quality carbon steel. This means it’s robust, reliable, and durable – just what you need when you, for example, have to dig through hard ground.

The serrated edge on the Gerber’s head makes it easy to cut through roots and branches when you have to clear a path through a dense bush. Furthermore, the handle has multiple locking mechanisms and at only 9.37 inches in length when closed, the Gerber is easily portable.

SPARtool Outdoor and Survival Multi-Tool

SPARtool Outdoor And Survival Multi-Tool

This tool boasts an 8-inch by 6-inch spring-tempered carbon steel shovel head with a flexible yet hard built-in chopping edge, bottle opener, and saw blade. The handle features a hammer, flat pry bar, and pick that can also serve as a handle when you are sawing or digging.

The fact that this tool weighs only 2 lbs 15 oz and has a total length of 22 inches means it can easily be transported. It comes with a modular sheath that is made from ballistic nylon (1050 denier), with a belt loop to ensure maximum protection for the various cutting edges.

GET IT HERE

BANG TI Super High Strength Military Folding Shovel

BANG TI Super High Strength Military Folding Shovel

This shovel was designed and manufactured after taking into account the recommendations of many highly experienced outdoor sports experts. The final design incorporates not only functionality but also assembling practicability and security. It uses only the finest craftsmanship and the best materials.

This multi-function shovel can also be used as a screwdriver, hammer, hoe, ax, magnesium rod flint, knife, wire cutter, tourniquet, whistle, ruler, extension bar, bottle opener, and ruler. The body can also serve as a waterproof contained. The handle is manufactured from aviation aluminum.

M48 Kommando Survival Shovel

M48 Kommando Survival Shovel

The head of the M48 Kommando is made from tempered stainless tool steel that has been coated with hard black oxide. The handle is injection-molded and reinforced with nylon and fiberglass. This makes the end product extremely robust and nearly indestructible.

The sharp shovel point features a concave chopping edge on one side and on the other side a (partially) serrated edge. The package comes with a reinforced nylon belt pouch. This tool is ideal for light chopping but can also be used as a defensive weapon.

AceCamp 12 in 1 Survivor Multi-Tool Shovel

AceCamp 12 In 1 Survivor Multi-Tool Shovel

This multi-tool shovel offers significantly more than most of its competitors. It is ideal for camping, hiking, backpacking, hunting, or just to keep in your car for an emergency. Whether you want to build a shelter, catch a fish, or chop wood, this 12-in-1 tool will come in handy.

It can also be used as a hatchet/ax, hammer, saw, nail puller, compass, bottle opener, knife, fishing hook, and fishing line. It is nevertheless compact and lightweight and comes with its own carrying case.


Things To Consider When Purchasing A Survival Shovel


How You Plan To Use It

If you go hiking or camping regularly, but seldom do anything more adventurous, a lightweight shovel will do the job just fine. The same applies if you just want to dig the odd fire pit or sanitation hole. If, however, you need the shovel for digging trenches or large holes, you should buy something really strong with a fairly long handle.

Material

Tactical survival shovels are nowadays made from many different types of materials. There are even plastic ones on the market – and certain alloys work quite well. Having said that, we still prefer traditional materials such as high-carbon steel, aluminum, and stainless steel. High-carbon steel is significantly stronger than the other two, but to prevent rust it needs the right type of coating. Although aluminum weighs the least of the three, it is also not as strong as the other two. Stainless steel is durable, sturdy, and doesn’t rust. It does, however, weigh more than the other two materials.

Blade Size, Weight And Portability

The shape and size of the blade are important determinants of where a shovel excels. Smaller blades require less effort to work with, but the job will take longer. Larger blades are best for moving materials like sand or gravel.

A narrow blade is great for a digging job, while for moving dirt a wider one is better. One also gets flat and pointed blades. When it comes to survival shovels, we do not recommend flat ones.

The shovel’s handle should be made of strong, durable materials. Remember that longer handles are easier to use than shorter ones, but they weigh more. Similarly, the more the blade weighs, the less portable it is – particularly if you plan to carry it over long distances.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*