Best Entrenching Tool | E-tool Shovel Reviews in 2023

Best Entrenching Tool
Photo courtesy of Erik (HASH) Hersman via flickr. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

So you’re going camping with the family and you’re looking to buy the best entrenching tool also known as the best e-tool so you’re prepared, but you’re not looking for something that is built to win a war.

Brand names like Gerber, and Glock make you think firearms, not multi-use shovels.

So, who makes the best entrenching tool for your needs?

Best Entrenching Tools via Reddit Responses and via Amazon Reviews

Bestseller No. 1
RHINO USA Folding Survival Shovel w/Pick - Heavy Duty Carbon Steel Military Style Entrenching Tool for Off Road, Camping, Gardening, Beach, Digging Dirt, Sand, Mud & Snow.
  • Folding survival shovel w/ pick - heavy duty carbon steel military style entrenching tool for off road, camping, gardening, beach, digging dirt, sand, mud & snow.
  • Military style e-tool - 2lbs of powder coated carbon steel, tough pickaxe & sharp rugged saw teeth.
  • Compact & portable - full 23" long extended but only 9" x 6" when folded into included carry case.
  • Multi-functional - shovels = great garden tools, backpacking gear and metal detector accessories.
  • The Last Shovel You Will Ever Need: At Rhino USA, We Stand Behind Our Products. If You Ever Experience Any Defects or Damage, Contact Our Customer Service Team and Receive A Replacement On Us.
Bestseller No. 2
Genuine Military Issue Entrenching Tool, Folding Shovel w D Handle
  • Folds from 23.25 inches in length to only 9.25 inches in length
  • Spade width is 6.25 inches
  • This is the exact E-Tool that is issued to the U.S. Military
  • Can be used straight or at a 90 degree angle
  • Covered with anti-reflective paint
SaleBestseller No. 3
SOG Entrenching Tool- 18.25 Inch Folding Survival Shovel with Wood Saw Edge and Tactical Shovel Carry Case- Black (F08-N)
  • 18.25 INCH FULL LENGTH, 24.5 OUNCES: Lightweight foldable outdoor, hunting, military shovel is versatile to get the job done. E-Tool features a wood saw edge to cut or chop small branches and trees for kindling or fire building
  • COMPACT AND PORTABLE: The multi-use shovel folds down to be barely bigger than your hand. 10 inches in length when folded, it takes up about the same space as a stack of paper plates. A needed tool that is easy to pack and takes up no space in your backpack, or camp kit
  • HIGH-CARBON STEEL CONSTRUCTION: Super durable to handle the long list of jobs the shovel was designed to handle in extreme conditions. Dig through dirt, sand, gravel mud, and snow with the tempered steel blade. The triangular handle is strong and fits the hand well for optimal use when digging, trenching, cutting, or slashing
  • 3-WAY FOLDING DESIGN: Hand shovel collapses into a portable outdoor shovel, emergency shovel, and hiking shovel. The rotating spade blade can be adjusted to act as a pick or hoe. Ultimate camp tool to dig fire pits, bury waste, or trench drainage lines
  • SOG TACTICAL SHOVEL FOR LIFE: Take care of your folding shovel and we’ll take care of you; SOG shovels for digging are built to last, and we consider all repair and replacement requests
Bestseller No. 4
DARTMOOR Mini Folding Shovel High Carbon Steel, Portable Lightweight Outdoor Tactical Survival Foldable Mini Shovel, Entrenching Tool, Camping, Hiking, Digging, Backpacking, Car Emergency
  • PREMIUM MATERIALS: Carefully constructed with high-carbon steel, this heat-treated mini folding camp shovel is built to last with rust-resistance & anti-deformation. The tactical military shovel is a rugged tool for digging, shoveling, sawing, chopping, and entrenching
  • COMPACT & VERSATILE: This ergonomically designed handle measures 11.8” while the 6.3” x 4.7” shovelhead increases your digging volume. It’s handy as a car camping trowel, beach shovel, or off-road accessory if you ever need to dig your car out of the mud
  • THICKENED CUTTING BLADE: Thanks to the reinforced blade our foldable rescue shovel can dig into gravel with ease - a must-have for backyards, gardens, farmland, campers, forest rangers, and outdoorsmen
  • LIGHTWEIGHT & EASY TO STORE: This military shovel weighs only 28 oz and comes with a nylon carry case (11.8” x 6.5”) so you can take this on the go anywhere
  • ADVENTURE+SURVIVAL SHOVEL: Whether you are backpacking on a wilderness adventure or preparing for an emergency, this emergency shovel is a vital necessity in the great outdoors
Bestseller No. 5
USGI US Military Original Issue E-Tool Entrenching Shovel with ACU OR Multicam Carrying Case/Pouch
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Bestseller No. 6
USGI Industries Military Style Shovel | Tri-Fold Entrenching Tool with Serrated Edge | Lightweight, Foldable, Compact, Multi-Use Perfect for Camping, Survival, Trenching (OCP Cover)
  • Military Style Tri-fold shovel.
  • Heavy Duty Blade Made to Dig Toughest Soils. Comes with USGI Industries Limited Lifetime warranty on e-tool.
  • Multi Functional Sharp Serrated Saw Edge.
  • Tri-fold Model Compacts for Easy and Lightweight Carry.
  • OCP shovel cover allows for easy carry and storage when camping, hiking, gardening and survival situations.
Bestseller No. 7
Genuine Issue MOLLE II Entrenching Tool Cover, GI OCP Scorpion, Heavy Duty Nylon Cordura E-Tool Shovel Cover, Made in USA
  • Constructed of 100% Nylon Cordura
  • Securely stores the entrenching tool
  • Quick-release buckle closure for easy access
  • MOLLE II mounting system on the back for easy attachment
  • It fits a 2" x 6" x 9" folded E-tool (Entrenching Tool)

Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Read customer reviews of good etools on Amazon.

Well we’ve got a handy buyers guide to provide what options are available on e-tools and three reviews to give you an idea what’s available nowadays.

Survival Shovel | SporstsTek Xplorer 10in1 Entrenching Multitool

The SportsTek Xplorer notes it is 10 tools in 1, describing it as a shovel, fire starter, hammer, slicer, chopper, saw, wire cutter, hoe, auto hammer, measuring tool and axe.

The handle and shaft are made of aluminum and have a covered handle for comfort.

SportsTek labels the Xplorer as an ideal tool for occasional zombie hunting, and other less important tasks like camping, hiking, survival and emergency.

A cool feature is a waterproof hollow shaft that can store any sensitive survival items.

The whole e-tool is 18.5 inches long when open, and only weighs 1.2 pounds.

The head, or shovel blade, is made of carbon steel that is satin-finished, and is capable of swiveling to three positions.

One Amazon reviewer noted the shovel head has two different sized hex holes, a wire cutter/stripper, and the shovel blade locks securely.

Glock Entrenching Tool with Saw and Pouch

The Glock Entrenching Tool is a formidable product, featuring a black, anti-corrosive surface treated blade, with 4 lockable positions, and a fully open length of 25 inches.

The total weight is 2 pounds, which is heavier than the SportsTek.

Unlike the SportsTek, the handle of the Glock isn’t designed to store extra survival items, but instead hides a steel saw that has a screwdriver tip for emergency wrenching.

One Amazon reviewer noted that they had issues with the handle top of the saw coming apart when the saw is unscrewed.

Another Amazon reviewer remarks that this tool doubles as a hatchet if you sharpen one side of the spade. Glock doesn’t specify this as an option.

Several Amazon reviewers have noted how rugged and durable the shovel is, constantly referring to it as a solid tool.

Although it’s not advertised as being a ten-in-one tool like the SportsTek, the Glock E-tool is still a capable, multi-use item ideal for camping, hiking, or storing as an emergency tool.

Gerber 30-000075 E-Tool

Weighing 2.6 pounds, and collapses to a 9.37 inch overall length when closed, the Gerber E-tool looks compact and tough as nails.

The product’s length when open is 23 inches, which is just slightly shorter than the Glock, but still much longer than the SportsTek E-tool.s

This E-tool is only capable of two positions for the spade; shovel style, and pick style, unlike the SportsTek or Glock’s three and four, respectively.

Rocking a sleek black, powder coated carbon steel blade, anodized 7075 aluminum shaft, and glass-filled nylon handle, this tool can definitely take a beating.

It may be heavier than both the Glock and lightweight SportsTek, but many Amazon reviewers remark on how strong and durable this tool is when hacking ice and limbs.

The spade has a long, serrated edge that is capable of cutting trees or through ice.

Similar to the Glock, the handle is not designed to store extra survival items, so this e-tool may be best placed in your vehicle as an emergency item instead of a camping or hiking tool.

Depending on your needs, and how much weight you want to carry, the SportsTek, Glock, and Gerber entrenching tools all offer a myriad of options for you camping, hiking, survival, emergency, or zombie-killing needs.

Buyers guide for good e-tools

Who would’ve thought you’d need to put some serious thinking behind choosing a tool that can shovel, cut weeds, chop wood, or protect you?

Well, entrenching tools are very well-designed instruments, whether for war or camping.

The size of the tool will determine a lot; will it fit where you need it? Is it compact when it’s folded or just bulky?

Weight is another characteristic to keep in mind as well, because chances are you’re carrying a backpack, water bottles, sleeping bag, and so on.

It’s not physically feasible to carry heavy objects when hiking as it will tire you out quicker.

Weighing which options the tool will have, such as an added axe edge or saw edge, will be important as well.

These extra specs will help you get the best bang for you weight, as they can combine many tools into one convenient object.

Since many e-tools fold, they’ll also need solid locking mechanisms to stay unfolded and stable when you’re using them.

Paying attention to any reviews about the rigidity, or looseness, an entrenching tool has while open will help you decide if it’ll make the cut.

Find the best entrenching tool in 2023 on Amazon.

Originally posted 2023-01-06 14:30:31.