Shovel - short, long, D handle?

Did a quick search, admittedly my google-fu might be a little weak, but why did you choose the shovel you use? I see so many articles about the short stubby zombie killer type shovels, but growing up in irrigation country USA, a full size round nose shovel works for just about everything - save irrigation trenching in my Phoenix backyard.

Most of my dealing is with sand. Is there really any reason to opt for a shorter shovel or is it just for packaging/stowing?

I mean, 2WD 2nd Gen, at White Pocket with a VARBS (Voice Activated Recovery Board System) seems to work quite well with a full size shovel. Disclaimer: YMMV depending on how stoked your daughter is to see the White Pocket.

 

Okay, I've got to ask... What the heck is VARBS? The only thing I could think of was picturing my girlfriend telling me "You got us in this mess now get those recovery boards out and get us out of it!"

 

haha! from above - Voice Activated Recovery Board System! and the disclaimer following - that might apply

 

E-Tool cause it was free.

 

Folding camp/army shovel.

... Because it's going to be used more often for latrine duty than recovery. At least I hope so. Digging out sucks.

 

Long handle because it’s easier to dig with. Even if it’s just a poop hole it’s still easier.

 

long handle's better if you have to chop a snake in two..

also you get more power in your swing if you meet a zombie

 

Ok, so in this short sampling of expert opinion (which happens to agree with mine - you know confirmation bias) a long handle if you plan on using it, a short D handle if it is supposed to look good on the side of your vehicle. So I wasn't wrong. Aside from that one ill-fated adventure, the poop hole digging is the majority of the usage. And a full size shovel works great for that.

 

Long handle, easier to clear stuff from under the middle of the truck.

 

I have a short handle for packaging reasons. But, especially with sand and snow. Long handle is MUCH MUCH better.
I may adjust to a long handle shortly.

 

Another vote for long handle. I carry a little foldup in the truck for emergencies, but any time I plan an offroad trip, I throw in the long handle.

 

I will say the one thing the full size does not have, is that it isn't discreet. Go hiking off trail with a Home Depot brand round-nose, and you just announced to the landowner that his orchard is getting fertilized.
Folding camp fits in your backpack with your snacks. Nobody suspects where or when you're cat-holing.

 

^ didn't cost you like $60 when you cleared CIF?

+1 on USGI e-tool.
- folds and fits nicely under rear seat.
- given enough time and effort; it can pretty much dig out anything. (even a LMTV buried up to the battery box (BTDT)

- can confirm USGI e-tool not only can dig a hole it makes an excellent field expedient [one butt cheek] toilet seat

>> see update; post # 23 <<

 

Have a separate little bag, TP, some soap and hand sanitizer and a small garden shovel for that.

 

I bought a cheap $7 shovel from Lowes and a solid ash replacement handle. Cut out the old cheap whitewood handle, oiled and wax sealed the new handle (I haven't seen many do this and let their wood tools just turn gray and rot). Bought a T-handle replacement off Amazon. Put it all together so now I have a nearly full-length shovel with a T-handle. Used for many tasks, including some recovery and camp chores.

 

Oh, I thought we were messing thru the triangle handle!

 

I have a free folding shovel in my truck box all the time but bring my full size straight handle shovel when I go off road, makes life so much easier.
If you think the folding shovel will work to dig your vehicle out go try to dig a 1 foot x 1 foot x 6 inch deep hole in the blazing sun while your gf/wife/kids spray you with a sprinkler, then think about doing that on the trail with extra clay and rocks making life harder.

 

I just purchased this Fiskars transfer shovel as my new long handle. Can't beat it for $27 bux!

 

Remember the trick too. With your shovels. Take your grinder with flap disk and sharpen it. If your froggy can even cut your own teeth into it like the overly priced shovel.

 

I’ve got a Lowe’s long-handle steel shovel mounted on the bed rack that’s been used mostly to dig holes on the beach for my kids to play in. A designated plastic cat hole shovel does the dirty work.