Entrenching tools or e-tools are an invaluable item to keep in your car during winter.
These spade-like tools are good for moving dirt and snow and for loosening up hard earth. Originally designed for soldiers to dig their own trenches and foxholes and for use as a close-quarter, back-up weapon, entrenching tools are distinguishable due to their spade and pickaxe combo appearance. Though not as effective as a full-sized shovel, especially for moving snow, an entrenching tool will also:
- Dig
- Chop
- Pick
- Scrape
- Scoop
- Saw
The best blade for winter use is metal. Steel is lightweight, tough and durable and has the ability to chip ice. You won’t want to use an entrenching tool to dig yourself out of a large snowdrift or bank. However, in a pinch the right entrenching tool will help you:
- Scrape ice
- Scoop snow from under your car tires
- Remove snow from your car’s exhaust pipe
- Build an emergency snow shelter or cave
- Dig snow for melting into drinking water
- Saw wood
- Chop kindling
Recommended Entrenching Tools
Gerber E-Tool with Pick
Specifications and Features:
- Military-grade
- Powder-coated, carbon steel shovelhead
- Serrated blade edge
- Foldable
- Anodized aluminum shaft
- Glass-filled nylon handle
- Includes pick
- Overall length open: 23.75 inches
- Closed length: 9.25 inches
- Width: 6 inches
- Weight: 37.30 ounces
Glock Entrenching Tool
Specifications and Features:
- Anti-corrosion treated and hardened steel blade
- Sharpened edge
- Foldable
- Three locking position blade for shovel, spade or hoe use
- Includes 6.625-inch saw blade (separate, stored in handle)
- Storage space inside handle
- Includes nylon pouch
- High-impact polymer handle
- Overall length open: 25 inches
- Overall length folded: 10 inches by 6.125 inches
- Weight 24 ounces
Cold Steel Special Forces Shovel
Specifications and Features:
- Modeled after the Soviet Spetznaz shovel
- Heat-treated, 2mm thick carbon steel shovelhead
- Sharpened edges
- Hardwood handle
- Includes Cor-Ex sheath
- Overall length: 19.68 inches
- Weight: 26.6 ounces
Do you have an entrenching tool? Which one is your favorite? Tell us about it in the comment section.
If you missed yesterday’s post, “30 Days of Preparing for Severe Winter Weather Day 16: 10 Tips for Building a Fire in the Snow,” you can read it here.
[suzanne]
It ain’t new by any stretch, but my G.I. surplus, wood handled, canvas covered wonder has helped out a few times in the past oh, so many years! Had one as a kid playing Army. Then finally got another for my dune buggy. Still have that one. }:o)