MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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I need a folding spade to take out for a bit of trail maintenance. Army surplus or are there better/lighter/more portable options out there.
Not looking to do any serious digging or anything silly like making jumps, just filling some ruts.
There's a basic one by one of those cheap tool manufacturers like silverline.
I have it in the back of the landrover for winter use. WOuld handle light work OK, and got it cheap off eBay.
* Faithfull brand
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Landscaping/Shovels/Folding+Shovel/d130/sd2669/p89967
Got one of these,, handle also folds to make a pick/puller type tool, and comes in a neat bag as well
There is only one folding shovel...
that one ^ from toolstation, 'cept i got it from the petrol station with a fuel purchase... its ok for what it is
depends how much work you have to do, i would have a special ride and take something full size for comfort.
The problem with carrying a full sized shovel on a bike is its like a sharp blader however youre going to carry it, got stopped last year by a policeman, as i was on the road, who asked why the Micro shovel (also from toolstation.com) was strapped to the bike , he then kindly pointed out in the event of a crash or just falling off i may well impale myself on the shovel blade, doesnt bear thinking about once told.
So folding shovel in rucksack in its little case, job done safeley.
or big shovel and walk to trail that needs tidying.
Nice one Three Fish, although I would suggest that there is an alternative:
The US Army surplus ones like [url= http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ames-US-Military-Issue-E-Tool-Army-Folding-Entrenching-Tool-Tri-Fold-Camp-Shovel-/230925643785?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c43db009 ]this[/url] are really strong, but kind of heavy as it is all metal. If you want to, you can sharpen the edges to easily cut through roots. There are also nylon or molded carrying cases available for them.
Gerber makes a military issue folding shovel that is lighter than the above, due to a plastic handle. They also make a smaller one. [url= http://www.gerbergear.com/content/search?SearchText=shovel ]Gerber[/url]
I looked into it a couple of years ago and ended up with a [url= http://www.gerbergear.co.uk/Outdoor/Gear/Gorge-Shovel_22-41578 ]Gerber Gorge[/url] as it was the lightest weight one out there.
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Been used more for digging poo-holes on family walks than trail-maintenance, but it does those well!
The Gerber ones are pretty good. I keep being tempted by one of the E-Tools, but even though they have an NSN and are therefore a good quality, I find it hard to justify getting one.
Having something available that would make going for a shovel recce easier when normal hiking might be a good idea though.
[url= http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Trail-Boss-Packable-Trail-Tool-2012.html ]Video[/url]
Only £180 + postage
But it does look lovely!
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