What is a Survival Shovels / E Tool?
One of the best pieces of survival gear I’ve come across in the last few years is a survival shovel. I use mine mostly for camping, but they’re super handy for DIY and would be extremely helpful in emergencies.
Survival shovels are much more than a shovel. They come equipped with axes, blades, hammers, screwdrivers, and bottle openers. Some have whistles, fish hook removers, emergency knives, and even harpoons!
In this guide, I’ll outline a few of the key factors you want to keep in mind when you’re comparing the different survival shovels. Plus, I’ll give you a list of the top 10 survival shovels on the market today. I’ll give a quick outline of their specific features as well as the pros and cons of each shovel.
It should help you get a much clearer idea of what’s out there and what separates the best from the rest. By the end, you should have a pretty good idea of which survivor shovel is right for you.
Plus – 10 Surprising Things you can do with a Army Style Survival Shovel/E Tool at the bottom of this article.
Key Features of a Survival Shovel or E Tool
To find the right survival shovel, take a look at the following key features. Whether it’s handle length or weight or specific tools, you’ll want to know how survival shovels vary between models. Keep an eye on each shovel’s specs to guarantee you get the right one for you.
Handle length
This one’s key. Are you looking for a compact shovel for a camping trip or a heavy-duty shovel for some DIY? Some survival shovels come with attachable sections so you can vary the handle length between 1 and 3 feet. Others have collapsible handles, often called Tri-fold handles, which only have one length option. The collapsible, tri-fold shovels tend to have a handle around 1 foot long.
Weight
The weight of the survival shovel is a key feature to keep an eye on. If you’re planning on taking the shovel backcountry hiking, you’re not going to want one that weighs 4 pounds. The shovels on this list range between 1 pound and over 4 pounds.
Again, think about what you’re going to be using it for. If it’s to throw in the back of the truck for emergencies, a heavier shovel will be fine. If you’re going to be carrying it long distances, go for a lighter shovel.
Tools
The biggest difference between survival shovels is the tools they come with. Some, like basic Tri-fold shovels, have serrated saw blade and nothing else. Other survival shovels come loaded with twenty different tools.
You can get survival shovels with knives, screwdrivers, hex wrenches, and bottle openers. Some have spark rods, compasses, and emergency whistles. When you’re comparing survival shovels, make sure you check out the list of tools that comes with the shovel.
Our Recommended Top 11 Best Survival Shovels & E Tools
These are our choices for the best survival shovels and e tools on the market. Some of them are premium single-mold shovels with 15+ tools to help you in an emergency situation while others are simple, compact, Tri-fold shovels perfect for strapping onto a pack. Some of these shovels manage to include many tool options while still being compact. Think about what you want in your shovel / e tool, then look through this list and see which of these e tools or shovels will fit your needs best.
You’ll see a decent variety of prices, tools, and designs, and I’m sure one of them is the right survival shovel for you.
Features:
- Stainless steel blade
- Aluminum shaft
- Weighs 2.4 lbs
- Made in the USA
- Durable carry case
- 15 tools
The EVATAC Elite Tactical Shovel is an awesome piece of kit. With a killer design and awesome combination of useful, well-made tools, EVATAC has made a solid, high-performance tactical tool. If you’re looking for a best-in-class survival shovel, the Evatac ET is it.
The ET Shovel has a stainless steel shovel head that can be flipped 90 degrees to make a gardening hoe, perfect for clearing and leveling land or digging trenches. The sharp edge of the head can be used as an ax, and it’s the perfect size for splitting kindling.
Once you’ve got your firewood, you can use the steel blade tool to strike sparks off the Ferro rod, perfect for starting a fire in any weather. Other handy features include a double-edged saw blade, a flat head screwdriver and Philips screwdriver, two hex sockets, and a ruler.
The shovel comes fully stocked with safety tools. For emergency situations, you’ll find a 120db emergency whistle, a compass, and, most importantly, a bottle opener. It also comes with a durable 1000D padded carrying case and a 60-day money-back guarantee.
With one of the best tool lists on the market, and good all-around quality in terms of durability and strength, the EVATAC ET Shovel leads the way when it comes to survival shovels. Its top-quality design and spec make it my top choice for the best overall survival shovel.
Check price of the EVATAC Elite Tac Shovel
- Well-built
- Quality materials
- Numerous tools
- Firestarter Ferro rod
- Comes with a case
- Includes 60-day money-back guarantee
- Not available from major retailers
- 60 Day guarantee doesn’t match our top choice.
The Tyger Shovel is one of the highest quality shovels on the list. The only downside is its (slightly) more expensive than our top choice. It’s a US patent-pending design forged from military-grade carbon steel and aerospace-grade anodized aluminum – basically, with the Tyger Shovel, its all about quality. Every part of it is carefully engineered and designed for performance, and they don’t cut corners.
The 16 tools include a ruler, saw, ax, wire cutter, screwdriver, knife, bottle opener, fire starter, and whistle, as well as a hacksaw and fish-hook remover. The shovel head is adjustable to be used as a hammer, hook, hoe, and shovel.
Tyger has made an awesome, top-of-the-range shovel for preppers – and this thing comes with with plenty of useful survival tools built in. If you’re willing to pay a little extra, then the Tyger Shovel is an unbeatable option that should last you for years and be able to withstand pretty much anything you throw at it.
Check price of the Tyger Shovel
- Plenty of tools
- Solid construction
- Quality materials
- Long handle
- Not as lightweight/compact as other choices
- More expensive than other options
Features:
- Steel blade
- Aluminum handle
- Black powder-coat finish
- Tri-fold design
- 2 saw edges
- Includes cloth or rubber cover
The Military Issue Tri-Fold Entrenching Tool is a perfect little collapsible shovel for people looking for something basic on a budget. It doesn’t get much simpler than this, but sometimes simplicity is what you want.
The Military Issue shovel has a steel blade, an aluminum handle, and a black powder-coat finish. Its simple Tri-Fold design makes it feel strong and solid when you’re digging plus. It’s super easy to collapse and carry.
The two extra tools included on the Military Issue shovel are a sharpened ax edge and a serrated saw edge. Like I said, it’s a basic folding shovel, but it does come with your choice of rubber or cloth case.
Some folding survival shovels for preppers come loaded up with over twenty different tools. Not the Military Issue Tri-Fold Entrenching Tool. If you want solid, basic, and affordable, then this is the survival shovel for you. It’s my Best Value choice for survival shovels.
Check price of the Military Issue Tri-Fold Entrenching Tool
- Solid construction
- Basic but bomb-proof
- Choice of 3 different cases
- Great price
- Minimalist design might not be enough for some people
- Only has 2 extra tools
The Mempa Survival Shovel is an excellent choice of survival shovel / E-tool for survivalists and preppers out there. Our favorite features are its affordable price, great list of tools, and “bomb-proof” design. With one of the most extensive choice of tools on the market, the Mempa shovel will help you prepare for any situation.
Specific tools included in the Mempa multi-tool shovel include an ax, a hex driver, and screwdrivers, as well as a serrated knife, a saw, and wire cutters. The shovel head can be used as a hoe. Plus, the Mempa tool comes with a bottle opener, fire starter, and harpoon.
For the amount of gear it holds, the Mempa shovel isn’t too heavy, weighing in at 1.94 lbs. Its fully-extended length of 29” makes it easy to lean into your work and maximize efficiency. The manganese and stainless steel construction makes it feel strong and durable.
With one of the highest number of tools out there, a very reasonable price, plus a 1-year warranty, the Mempa Survival Shovel is a good choice for anyone who’s on a budget but still looking for a good, solid survival shovel.
Check price of the Mempa Multi-Purpose Folding Shovel
- Lots of tools
- Compact and relatively lightweight
- Reasonable price
- Feels strong and durable
- Long enough to do serious digging
- Great customer reviews
- 1-year warranty
- The pouch probably won’t last as long as the shovel
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-range tactical shovel and price is no option, then check out the Zune Lotoo Annihilate. It’s a strong contender for one of the best premium shovels on the market for its top-end design and tools.
The Annihilate shovel is made in a one-mold process from heat-treated solid carbon steel, giving it unrivaled strength and durability. Zune Lotoo is so confident that the Annihilate can stand up to whatever you throw at it that they’ve given it an unmatched lifetime warranty.
The Zune Lotoo comes with 23 tools, including a tactical knife, an ax, and hoe, as well as an emergency whistle, and a fire rod. It’s well designed and super easy to adjust the blade and fold the tool, all by pressing one button.
The Zune Lotoo Annihilate is an awesome tool, built from quality materials and stacked with an impressive tool list. If you’re willing to pay a little more for it, the Annihilate shovel is one of the best premium survival shovels for preppers.
Check price of the Zune Lotoo Annihilate Tactical Shovel
- Lots of tools
- Quality construction
- Lifetime warranty
- Has everything you need, and more
- Relatively big and heavy
- Expensive
- Doesn’t come with a pouch
Features:
- Tri-fold design
- 2.5 lbs
- 2 color options
- Sharp edge and serrated edge
- Adjustable to 90 degrees
- Simple design is easy to use
The Redcamp Folding Shovel is a solid little Tri-Fold shovel for those looking for something simple and effective. It’s made out of high-carbon steel that makes it strong and sturdy, and it feels well-made in your hands.
The Redcamp survival shovel comes with one sharp blade and one serrated blade for sawing. You can also adjust the shovel head to 90 degrees and use it as a pick or hoe. Weighing in at just over two pounds, it’s not as light as some of the shovels on this list, but if it’s strength you’re after, the Redcamp shovel does the job.
Redcamp offers a 1-year money-back guarantee with its folding shovel and comes in a couple of different color options. With its reasonable price, the Redcamp Folding Shovel a great survival shovel for preppers looking for something affordable and straightforward.
Check price of the REDCAMP Folding Shovel
- Simple and effective
- Affordable
- Well-built
- Feels solid and sturdy
- Basic
- Doesn’t come with a pouch
The 1DOT2 Folding Shovel is a sweet survival shovel that comes with a low price tag and plenty of tools and a class-leading 35.5” length, making it a perfect shovel for bigger, more strenuous jobs. Plus, it comes with a handy nylon carrying case, making it easy to transport when you’re not using it.
The 1DOT2 includes saws, a bottle opener, a cleaver, knife, and whistle. There’s also an emergency hammer, two screwdrivers, and a hex wrench. The head is easily adjustable between 0 and 180 degrees, making it a perfect tool for planting and hoeing as well as digging.
With four adjustable lengths between 14 and 35.5”, the 1DOT2 is a superb shovel for versatility, and it can tackle small gardening jobs and survival situations. With one of the lower price tags on the list, the 1DOT2 is a perfect choice for someone who wants plenty of features for an affordable price.
Check price of the 1DOT2 Folding Shovel
- Low price
- Decent tool selection
- Comes with a case
- Feels cheap
- No warranty
- Fewer tools than competitors
Features:
- 10 tools
- Adjustable handle to 28” long
- Good for camping, DIY, and emergencies
- Includes fire starter
The iunio Portable Folding Shovel is a perfect option if you’re looking for a long-handled foldable shovel full of sweet features. With a handle that extends to 28”, you get plenty of leverage out of the iunio shovel, and it’s perfect for heavy-duty work.
Inside the hollow handle, you’ll find a screwdriver, emergency whistle, and magnesium flint rod. Integrated into the shovel head is a bottle opener, a hex wrench, nail puller, ax blade, and saw blade.
With a mid-range price, the survival shovel from iunio is perfect for DIY, camping, and emergency situations. With a decent tool list and quality parts and materials, it’s a substantial, long-handled survival shovel for preppers.
Check price of the iunio Portable Folding Shovel
- All the tools you need
- Feels strong and sturdy
- Good leverage
- Relatively large and bulky
- Relatively heavy
- Doesn’t come with a pouch
Features:
- Tri-fold design
- 18” long
- Weighs 2 lbs
- Serrated saw blade
- Sharpened knife blade
- Rotating head
If you’re looking for a simple, affordable compact Tri-fold shovel, then look no further. The SOG folding shovel is a solid, frills-free addition to this list and has one of the most competitive price points on the market.
The SOG shovel is only 18 inches long and weighs just over 2 pounds. The shovel head has one serrated saw edge and one sharp knife edge. The shovel head on the SOG shovel rotates too, making it a versatile and multi-use tool
With one of the best prices on this list and a solid, compact design, the SOG shovel is a great, basic survival shovel for preppers that’s a close contender for one of the best value shovels.
Check price of the SOG Folding Shovel
- Compact
- Lightweight
- Feels sturdy
- No frills
- Great price
- Too basic for some
- Very few tools
- No pouch
Another quality, long-handled survival shovel for preppers is the Military Folding Shovel from Antarctica. With 16 tools, it’s got everything you need and is a great survival shovel for camping and emergencies.
The carbon steel construction makes it feel strong and robust. The longer handle (up to 36”) provides plenty of gripping space for heavy-duty work, and the Antarctica shovel makes quick work of the biggest jobs.
The Antarctica Military Shovel comes with a hidden rescue knife, saw, emergency whistle, magnesium rod fire starter, and a bottle opener. There are also screwdrivers and a hex wrench. The engineered slip and sweatproof handle make it easy and comfortable to use.
With a mid-range price point and plenty of awesome features, the Antarctica Military Folding Shovel is easily one of my favorite picks when it comes to long-handled survival shovels for preppers.
Check price of the Antarctica Military Folding Shovel
- Four handle lengths up to 36”
- Plenty of useful tools
- Includes fire starter
- Doesn’t include a pouch
- Lower quality materials than more expensive alternatives
The Fivejoy Folding Shovel is a high-quality compact survival shovel with a solid features list and even better price. It’s made out of carbon steel, which makes it super durable, as well as water and rust-resistant.
The Fivejoy shovel is just over 20” long, making it nice and compact. Its small size doesn’t make it basic, though, and it comes fully stocked with useful tools, including a rescue knife, saw, emergency whistle, bottle opener, and fire starter.
Weighing in at just over 2 pounds, the Fivejoy won’t be too much of a burden. It’s definitely worth the weight for its awesome build, quality materials, and solid tool list. If you’re looking for a high-quality, compact shovel that won’t break the bank, then the Fivejoy Folding Shovel is a great option.
Check price of the FiveJoy Folding Shovel
- Compact
- Well made
- Quality materials
- Good for emergencies
- Fewer tools than other shovels
- Relatively short handle
Buyer’s Guide
Take a look at these key points to keep in mind when you’re buying a survival shovel. Whether it’s for a camping trip, DIY, or emergencies, answering these questions will guide you towards finding the right survival shovel for you.
What’s your survival shovel for?
If you’re buying a shovel to take on a backcountry hiking trip, you’re going to need a very different shovel than if it’s for general maintenance and DIY. Articulating why you’re buying a survival shovel is a perfect way to start narrowing down the options.
What kind of handle do you need?
If you want a shovel that can do some serious digging without such serious work, take a look at the long-handled shovels on this list. Longer handles give you more leverage, and this is worth thinking about when you’re buying a shovel.
What kind of tools do you need?
Can you get by with a basic shovel? If all you’re going to do with it is dig a latrine, you probably don’t need a firelighter, compass, and emergency whistle. If the shovel is going to be your main camping, DIY, or emergency tool, you’ll probably want to get one with more than 2 or 3 tools.
Do you want lightweight or heavy-duty?
If you’re going to be carrying your survival shovel long distances, you’ll probably want to get a lightweight shovel. If it’s going to stay in your garage most of the year apart from some heavy-duty yard work, you might want a larger, heavy-duty shovel.
10 Surprising Things You Can Do with a Survival Shovel or Entrenching Tool in the Wild
I’ve heard the following many times when it comes to backpacking or prepping for a bug out: “You don’t need a shovel, just use a stick or stone to dig. Taking a shovel is such a waste of space and it’s too heavy.”
On some days a shovel may not come in handy at all. But there are other days when a shovel can be a life saver and why it’s been standard issue for various army infantries in the modern day. Like it or not, sh** happens. There will be days when an Army shovel can save your life.
Army shovels — entrenching tools — are really important and should be strongly considered for your bug out bag and you should definitely have an Army shovel in your vehicle, whether you’re bugging out or just on a weekend trip off road. (You’ll read why it’s important for your vehicle in a moment … and how to use it.)
History Of The Shovel In Survival
Going back as far as the Romans, shovels were considered important tools of war, war being the ultimate survival situation. When a Roman legion went to a new territory and had to set up camp, they would dig a ditch and fortify all the way around their camp. Whenever they laid siege to a fortress, they would dig in their own fortifications because sieges could last quite some time. They were even known for trying to dig under a fortresses wall to try to collapse it.
I don’t need to go into detail about the use of entrenching tools for digging trenches and latrines in the wars of the 20th century as it’s very well documented and everyone has heard of “trench warfare.” . In fact, Australian and New Zealand soldiers, even to this day are referred to as “diggers” because of their roles in trench warfare.
What Is A Modern Army Shovel, The Entrenching Tool?
An entrenching tool (E Tool) is a souped up shovel in the same way that a Humvee is a souped up truck. They have so many features it’s more of a question of what they can’t do than what they can do. When it comes to E Tools, their primary function is still to dig holes, but they have evolved enormously and offer many other uses as well.
E Tools are also really strong, generally made out of aluminum or steel. They’re lightweight, around 2 pounds and fold up to a really small size so they fit the bill for a survival tool that can be used in a bug out bag or be stored in a vehicle. Below I’ll go over my favorite uses for an entrenching tool, some are obvious, and some are not so obvious.
The Top 10 Uses For An Entrenching Tool / Survival Shovel In A Crisis Situation
1. Digging A Shallow Entrenchment In Just Minutes .. And Hiding From The Enemy
Sun Tzu, the ancient Asian war philosopher said that “All warfare is based on deception”. Make no mistake, if the SHTF and people don’t have food and water, if criminals aren’t kept in check by law enforcement, you will find yourself in a war zone. If the SHTF (here’s what SHTF means if you’re unfamiliar) and people turn into zombies, and are coming after you and your family, you can dig a shallow trench in deep brush off trail quickly, jump in and cover yourself with brush and by doing this you can hide from marauders very effectively. You could even end up sleeping there if necessary. From there, you can wait for the enemy to completely pass you by or you can wait until the time is right to strike. This was very common practice in the Vietnam war and there were many successful escapes that included similar tactics. Every infantryman in the Soviet Army carries an army shovel. If given the order to halt, he immediately lies flat and starts digging a hole beside him. In just a few minutes he can dig a 6 inch trench that he can lie in so that bullets will fly by harmlessly.
2. Using An Army Shovel As A Last Resort Weapon
Entrenching tools not only dig holes, they can be used as weapons. Most entrenching tools these days come with a sharpened side so that they can be used as an axe. That means, that if necessary, you could swing at not only a tree, but someone who’s trying to take your life. Used in this fashion, you’ll be able to cut through flesh and bone easily. The Soviet Spetsnaz units were the first to be really well trained in shovel combat. Now it’s common place for commando forces all across the world to be trained to fight with entrenchment tools. The American soldier, Anthony Kaho’ohanohano killed two Chinese soldiers with his entrenching tool in the Korean war. During the second world war, the Germans and Soviets used entrenchment shovels in close quarter combat. An entrenching tool can be used to thrust as well as chop so it’s like a mini poleaxe (you probably know a poleaxe from images of the Swiss guard). The poleaxe was the pinnacle of close combat weapons until the advent of gun powder. The reason is simple, it had good reach and it could stab, chop and could also be used as a hammer to do some damage against armor wearing knights. A spear could only stab, an axe could only cut. That’s why an entrenching tool that can stab, as well as chop is a handy weapon.
3. Funerals … Burying The Dead With An Army Shovel
Yes, it’s gruesome and no one likes to think about it but you might be in a situation where you have to bury someone and hopefully that someone is a marauder and not someone in your own family. You could cremate someone of course but many people would refuse to cremate or would not want be cremated. One way or another you have to get rid of the body or bodies or you have to move. I don’t need to go into detail about diseases that can come about from a rotting corpse, let alone the massive psychological issues of knowing a dead body is a little too close for comfort. It would take forever to dig a big enough grave without a shovel. Not only that, the longer it takes, you could be putting yourself at risk by being around a dead body, you could also be putting yourself at risk by being out in the open for too long.
4. Sanitation … Digging Latrines For Human Waste
It’s generally not the big pests (whether they be human or animal) that get you but the small ones. Bugs, parasites, disease. If you don’t have proper sanitation you run the risk of disease carrying insects infecting you. Once that happens you’re in a world of hurt. The option below for a camp latrine is far more sanitary, especially seeing as you would be putting dirt over the top of your waste so that no bugs are touching it and then potentially spreading some nasties.
5. Covering Your Tracks
Following on from the sanitation point above, if you bury your waste product you will be much harder to track down in the event that someone is tracking you. What about disguising your camp once you’ve gone, a shovel can make that much easier. What about burying the waste from game so that you don’t attract predators? What about burying your trash to make you harder to find? No one wants to be stalked or tracked down by something hungry or vicious.
6. Staving Off Infections From Cuts
Your much more likely to cut your hands or get bitten by something, even if you’re wearing gloves when your digging a hole with a stick or your hands. There could be spiders or other insects hiding in the scrub you’re trying to clear as well so the further away your hands are from the area, the safer you will be.
7. Safer Camp Fires
If you live in a dry area where fires are common, it’s always best practice to dig a hole for your fire and clear out the surrounding area. That way your fire is far less likely to spread to the surrounding area. It also has the benefit of protecting the fire from too much wind on a windy day which could put your fire out and it also means you will burn less wood which means you have to fetch less wood. Anything that can save energy in a survival situation is a benefit. Just make sure that the dug out hole isn’t close to any roots of trees because fires can start from the roots up. It can take several days, but it does happen.
Note: Learn how to build a primitive fire here
8. Getting Your Vehicle Out Of Trouble Off Road
You could be driving to your bug out location or you could be trying to escape from other people or civilization. The last thing you need is to get stuck in the mud, loose dirt, or snow. If you have to dig yourself out of trouble, you’ll be very grateful you had an entrenching tool in your vehicle.
9. As A Paddle
In a rush and need to get across a small pond, river or lake and don’t have the resources or time to make a paddle, use your entrenching tool. You can tie it to a branch if necessary to get greater leverage, just make sure you tie it on very well.
10. Starting A Fire
Fire is one of the most important elements of survival and it’s one of those aspects that you should have multiple levels of redundancy. Many of the entrenching tools come with a magnesium rod to start a fire. Other features of entrenching tools:
Hammering
Opening a bottle
Chopping
Digging
Sawing
An anchor
As a hoe
As a pick
A hook to climb
As a blade for clearing brush
To dig cat holes
Bury trash
As a weapon
Making fire pits
Clearing brush
To use as a stake when making a shelter
Fire suppression
Tactical knife
Whistle
Paracord
Extracting nails
Scale fish
Pry tool
Now you’ve got the information as to many of the uses and scenarios you could use an entrenching tool so you can make up your own mind if they’re right for you. I consider them the ultimate back up tool, they’re sort of like a massive multi tool which most people carry. They are relatively inexpensive, small and lightweight and can change a survival situation from one of dire circumstances to one of productivity.
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you can also use it to dig out survivors of earthquakes