What's your favorite shovel?

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OuterLimits

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No respect, I tell ya! That's how it is with the lowly overland shovel.

How many of us have saved our bacon with the use of a trusty shovel?

In camp, it will dig a fire pit for dinner, then later cover your post-meal doody.

I did a search here in Q&A and not a single title using the word "shovel".

It's time to give some love to this overlooked and under appreciated implement.

For my purposes a standard full length shovel takes up too much real estate on my CUV. The small folding shovel lacks reach.

What's my weapon of choice?

I prefer a medium length handle with and extended socket. An extended handle socket increases strength and helps protect the handle. A tempered steel blade is a must.
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I like hoop style grip for easier scooping and lifting.
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The grip hoop must be steel and wood. The plastic grips break too easily.
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I like a substantial step on the shovel to make "foot assist" more comfortable and less likely to slip.
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I secure the shovel to my roof rack using rubber clamps. It is easily accessed from the driver's side, and it keeps a muddy shovel out of my cargo/passenger area.
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It's time for some respect!

What's your favorite overland shovel?

Why did you choose it?

How do you carry/store it on/in your rig?
 

Masheen365

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I always have a shovel and axe in my truck box, it's part of living on a hobby farm. I think I picked it up from Tractor Supply or Agri-Supply, nothing special, but it digs holes when holes need dug.

A word of caution on your rubber straps. We have the same style straps for our tools on the fire engine and have had a few break. Of course the boys aren't always careful and they get used pretty regular, but I imagine the sun might affect them too. Just something to be mindful of.

That a good looking shovel, definitely looks like it's built well!
 
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OuterLimits

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A word of caution on your rubber straps. We have the same style straps for our tools on the fire engine and have had a few break. Of course the boys aren't always careful and they get used pretty regular, but I imagine the sun might affect them too. Just something to be mindful of.
Thanks for the tip on the straps. The SoCal sun is ruthless on vehicles and accessories.
Because of that, the shovel and straps are only mounted up top for outings. That cuts physical abuse and sun fatigue to a minimum.

For washboard roads I plan on adding a nylon cinch strap or two to keep things in their place (belt and suspenders philosophy).

Cheers, TR
 

theheineken

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A couple years ago I went to South Africa and on every single truck there was a Lasher spade:



On the way out I bugged our driver relentlessly until he stopped at a hardware store in Vryburg so I could buy one and stash it in my luggage. It appears to be bomb-proof. The blade and shaft are stamped out of a single sheet of steel, with the handle being a one-piece cast unit. The pic and link above are for the cheaper one that has a plastic handle, but the PHs said to buy the one-piece if it was available and that it'd last forever. I believe them.

I'm just about to mount it on my 4Runner this weekend, so I'll snap a pic of it.