why are shovels more common than e-tools?

why are shovels more common than e-tools?

I was thinking of stopping buy Home Depot to buy a normal length shovel, not a small one
and figuring a way to mount it in the truck bed
unfortunately their cheap ones (store-brand) are wooden handle and not synthetic, so idk how long that takes to rot outside from moisture.

Recently seeing a video of someone using an e-tool made me wonder, why are e-tools not as popular?
I hear they're more flimsy, but at the same time they're good enough for standard military issue to do things like dig a foxhole, trench, and so on.

I noticed the guy using it had the shovel locked at a 90 degree angle position, so he could swing it like an axe to dig. That's something you can't really do with a fixed standard wooden shovel.
Also it's small enough to fit behind the rear seat, in the storage compartment of a double cab. Without needing a bed mount.

I can think of pros and cons to each. Pro's of a bigger fixed shovel is you can step into it with your foot for more power digging,
but an e-tool can come with sharp teeth and possibly cut better





the HDX shovel:



^$16, cheaper than a Krazy Beaver shovel



was thinking of stopping there (Home Depot) and Harbor Freight to see what kind of axes they have too

$18 @ HFT:

 

Just visualize being stuck in a mud hole. Do you really want to get down on your knees In the mud with that?

 

Gotta flex for Instagram.

 

no
you are right
that video of people using e-tools were bent/hunched over all day straining their back
maybe it's issued to the military so a guy can carry it small and conveniently in a bag to fit with the rest of his gear
rather than having to carry a big tall awkward shovel that doesn't fold

 

Have you ever dug a hole with an e-tool? They suck.

Edit: If you are going somewhere where you may need a shovel to recover your vehicle, bring a shovel. If you are going camping with the kids at the state park, bring an e-tool.

 

I like this one best of both worlds plus a defensive weapon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzUj_8DOwKQ

 

https://www.coldsteel.com/spetsnaz-special-forces-trench-shovel-92sfx

 

I can already have a hole dug by the time you get that contraption out of its pouch and put together

On a serious note they are like a leather man...
I'd rather use just a knife, pliers, file, etc. by itself on account of it's just easier.
But I've used all sorts of multi-tools with out regret.
Example, you ever try to sharpen a chainsaw with a leatherman?
It's a pain but it will work.

 

I remember digging a fox - hole many times with an E - Tool at Camp Pendleton

 

They are useful if you need to take a shit and need a seat.

 

I keep an E-Tool behind the back seat of both my 4X4 F150 and the 4X4 Tacoma. Yea, a large shovel is better, but it won't fit behind the seat. The E-Tool may take longer, but at the end of the day does the same job. And is flexible enough to do some things you can't do with a shovel

 

so even if you conceal carry a 1911 .45 under your shirt, you're going to hop out the cab and grab a shovel from the bed?
I don't get it

 

you can throw it like a spear