Alex Holmes
Washington

Jun 24, 2008

Pros: Design, Overall Quality, Materials Quality

Cons: None

Awesome backcountry shovel

This little shovel can do anything! It folds and collapses to a small portable size and comes with a drawstring carry bag. I live on Key Peninsula and I've been digging oysters and clams with it. The black oxide finish is tough and holds up well in rocky mud and saltwater. All it takes to clean it up is running fresh water, then I put a coating on good gun oil on all moving parts. It's also a great tool for 'taking care of business' when camping, you know, burying your 'stuff'. Great quality in a small, capable package.

Bourneebr
Long Island, NY

Jul 24, 2010

Pros: Overall Quality, Materials Quality, Design

Cons: None

Perfect for Bug Out Bags

This shovel is perfect to keep in a bug out bag or to take with you camping. Small enough to pack, big enough to handle most tasks. A definite win!!!

Cédric M
Switzerland

Jun 19, 2013

Pros: None

Cons: None

Gorge Folding Shovel

in my survival kit

American Chopper
Kansas City, MO

Aug 08, 2011

Pros: Overall Quality, Materials Quality, Design

Cons: None

Fantastic shovel for the size

I got this to put in my bug out bag. I needed a small, compact shovel that could handle some wear and tear a low price. This was the perfect fit. It's a very small shovel, so you can't expect it to perform like a full size shovel or even an E-tool. It's designed to be as compact as possible while still having digging capabilities. It has a simple and yet effective folding method. The head folds over, and the handle is slid up the shaft. To lock the head in place is still done like the old fashioned E-tool, but the handle can just be pulled out into place. While folded it's nearly the size of my hand, while opened I can use it with two hands quite comfortably. The shovel also comes with a small hammer head instead of a pick. This hammer is useable, however I couldn't imagine that it could do much more than pounding stakes. The tool can dig very well for the size, with minimum fatigue. If you are looking for a very compact, quality folding shovel then you've found it, just keep the size in perspective.You wouldn't cut down a full sized tree with a pocket knife.

Stephen
Southern New Hampshire

Nov 19, 2009

Pros: Overall Quality, Design, Materials Quality

Cons: None

A good one for the pack

This will be traveling in my pack instead of a trowel. While heavier, it is more versatile and large enough to do a little work with. Be aware of the measurements, this is NOT an e-tool! It is far smaller than that, but for a packing shovel should be ideal.

Desertrat9
Holbrook, AZ

Feb 10, 2010

Pros: Overall Quality, Materials Quality, Design

Cons: None

small and lightweight....

I havent had the chance to fully test this product for its intended purpose. I dug up some shrub and vegetation in the desert, and to bury some waste. Again , I had to kneel down, but that is to be expected. It goes in my 3 day for extended hikes and outings. It looks like it will hold under normal use. I dont think I will be using it as a hammer, maybe to drive in tent or cover stakes. I like the size. i had a comparable size cheapie from Kmart/WalMart brand. I bent the crap out of it in one outing, with (what i thought was)light use.

Gary
Kansas City, KS

Sep 13, 2011

Pros: Overall Quality

Cons: None

Gerber Review

Seems sturdy and well built but smaller than it looks in the picture. Great for small jobs while camping but definitely not big enough to dig a very deep, like if your vehicle was stuck in the mud.

Jimmbo
Katamaster

Jul 14, 2014

Pros: Design

Cons: Overall Quality, Materials Quality, Design

beware chopping off your head

I was doing some ninja moves, digging trench's while dancing about in a form, when the head of this thing broke off and came about 1/2 inch from cutting my neck in half! Be warned!

Wardog 0431
Oregon

Jul 20, 2010

Pros: Design

Cons: Materials Quality

fail

I have used a couple variants of E-tools and small folding shovels in the military and wanted a smaller lighter version for civillian backpacking. This tool looked great and the price was reasonable so I bought one. It broke under medium duty use while digging a fire pit. I was sorely dissapointed as gerber usually makes good stuff. the failure occured in the corner of the bracket that attaches the blade to the handle. the metal is unusually thin at this point and after seeing the tool it makes sense that it would fail there. My experience is that the Military version of the E-tool (all metal not the crappy plastic GLOCK tools) is still the best choice for medium to heavy use. Good design but I wish it lived up to the Gerber name a little better.

Alaskadawg
Anchorage, Alaska

Mar 22, 2020

Pros: Design

Cons: Materials Quality

Light duty only

I like Gerber as a good price/quality point brand. I live in Alaska and bought this as a handy general purpose tool. I have removed some chunks of ice by locking the blade at an angle and locking it down in place with the threaded handle. Worked fine for about three months of medium level work. If the task is larger I bring something larger. The blade snapped from the handle at the joint where the metal just gave out. I have had surplus military shovels but over time they have been borrowed and they never failed with use. The edges would need resharpening and they need to be cleaned is all. I now have the schrade brand shovel of similar size and a bit more cost. Will try that.