One of the most useful tools you can own is an entrenching tool (e-tool).  That may sound exotic but it is a fancy name for a type of folding shovel that militaries have used for decades.  Many look like this one:

They go by many names like NATO Folding Shovel, E-tool, tri-fold shovel, military shovel, and the like but they all function the same way.  An entrenching tool is a collapsible shovel that has two hinge joints.  The blade of the shovel is optimized for digging but most also have a serrated edge for chopping or cutting.  It can also be used as a weapon (hand axe) in an emergency.  The goal of this particular design was to fit a lot of functionality into a small package that soldiers could carry with them.  Think of it as a large multi-tool optimized for digging.

An Entrenching Tool (e-tool) is useful because its compact size gives it portability that regular shovels lack.  It takes up only a small amount of space when folded (10″ long and 6″ wide) and only weighs about 2 pounds, so it can be carried in a backpack, go bag, or other flexible container.  I also keep one in my car for emergency use and have one in my camping gear.  I’ve used my e-tool several times over the years and am thankful I own one.

I’ve purchased my entrenching tools at Army Surplus stores for around $30 used.  They cost around $50-60 for a new Gerber one if you wish to go that route. There is some debate over which one is the best, some purists argue that the best ones are made by Ames while others think the Gerber ones (made by Fiskars) are just as good.  My opinion is if you go with either of these manufacturers, you will do fine.  Stay away from the cheap, imported ones though because their quality and durability are unacceptably low for such an important tool.  An e-tool is a tool worth spending a few more on to ensure you are getting one that you can count on when you need it.

If you don’t have an entrenching tool, purchase one (or two) and add them to your inventory.  They are great for both emergency and everyday use so your money will be well-spent on a tool that will get used.  I’ll write another post describing the various uses for an e-tool in the near future so stay tuned.

Click here to buy the Gerber Entrenching Tool with Pick and Serrated Blade