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    • Shovels

    Tactical Shovels & Entrenching Tools from Cold Steel, Gerber & SOG

    A folding shovel, or entrenching tool, packs a full-size digging blade into a compact frame that rides in a pack or a vehicle kit. This section covers military-style e-tools for overland and bug-out use, folding trench shovels for camp, and hand hoes for garden and trail work.

    Cold Steel's Special Forces Shovel and Spetsnaz Trench Shovel lead the tactical lineup, both built around a heat-treated carbon steel blade that folds down small enough for a pack or a truck bed. Gerber covers the same category with the Gorge Folding Shovel and the serrated-blade E-Tool Folding Spade, SOG offers a straightforward fixed Entrenching Tool, and Barebones rounds things out with walnut-handled hand hoes for weeding and light garden digging.

    Prices run from an $11.99 Cold Steel Cordura sheath (sold separately) up through a $63.99 Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade, so there's a shovel here whether you're outfitting a vehicle kit or a garden shed.

    Folding vs. fixed shovelA folding shovel like the Cold Steel Special Forces Shovel collapses down for compact storage in a pack or vehicle, while a fixed shovel like the SOG Entrenching Tool stays rigid at full length for a sturdier dig with no hinge to wear out.

    Call 888-225-9775 — our team can help you pick the right shovel for your kit.

    Cold Steel, Gerber & SOG Authorized DealerFull manufacturer warranty on every shovel we carry.
    Folding, Fixed & Hand Tool OptionsFrom compact e-tools to full-length trench shovels.
    Heat-Treated Carbon Steel BladesBuilt for repeated digging in hard or rocky ground.
    Same or Next Business Day ShippingShips from Columbia, Louisiana. Questions? Call 888-225-9775.
    Compare Selected

    The Tactical Shovel Buyer's Guide (2026)

    How to choose between folding, fixed, and hand-tool digging gear for camp, overland, and garden use.

    What Makes a Great Tactical Shovel+

    A good entrenching tool comes down to a heat-treated blade that holds an edge for chopping roots as well as digging, a locking mechanism that keeps the blade rigid mid-dig, and a folded size that actually fits the pack or vehicle kit it's meant for.

    Most tactical shovels here use carbon steel blades, which take a sharp edge for chopping through roots but aren't stainless, so wiping the blade dry after use prevents rust.

    Folding vs. Fixed Shovels Compared+
    TypeBest ForFound On
    Folding ShovelVehicle kits, bug-out bags, compact storageCold Steel Special Forces Shovel, Gerber Gorge Folding Shovel
    Fixed ShovelMaximum rigidity, no hinge to wear outSOG Entrenching Tool
    Hand HoeGarden weeding, light trail diggingBarebones Weeding Hand Hoe, Barebones Triangle Hand Hoe
    TipA folding shovel's hinge is its weak point under heavy leverage, so for repeated hard digging a fixed design like the SOG Entrenching Tool holds up with less wear over time.
    Cold Steel's Special Forces Lineup+
    ModelOverall LengthNotes
    Special Forces Shovel 92SF20.5"Black carbon finish, shovel only
    Spetsnaz Trench Shovel CS92SFXMediumCarbon steel with hickory handle
    92SFS Shovel/Sheath Combo19.25"Includes black Cor-Ex sheath

    The SC92SF Cordura sheath is also sold separately for anyone who already owns the shovel and needs a replacement or upgraded carry option.

    Hand Hoes for Garden and Trail Work+

    Barebones' walnut-handled hand hoes are built for lighter digging than a full shovel handles: the Weeding Hand Hoe uses a wharn-style head for pulling weeds at the root, while the Triangle Hand Hoe's pointed head works well for furrowing and breaking up compact soil.

    Top Brands in Shovels+
    BrandKnown ForMade In
    Cold SteelMilitary-style folding and trench shovelsTaiwan
    GerberFolding e-tools with serrated blade optionsUSA
    SOGFixed entrenching toolsUSA
    BarebonesWalnut-handled garden hand hoesChina
    Why the Serrated Blade on the Gerber E-Tool Matters+

    The Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade adds a serrated edge along part of the blade, letting it saw through roots that a plain digging edge would just push past. That makes it useful for clearing a tent site or fire pit in rooty ground without carrying a separate saw.

    Shovels Quick Reference+
    I need…Best ChoicePrice
    Replacement/upgrade sheathCold Steel SC92SF Cordura Sheath$11.99
    Garden weeding hoeBarebones Triangle Hand Hoe$18.99
    Fixed entrenching toolSOG Entrenching Tool$26.95
    Basic folding shovelCold Steel Special Forces Shovel 92SF$24.99
    Shovel with sheath includedCold Steel 92SFS Shovel/Sheath Combo$29.99
    Serrated-blade folding spadeGerber E-Tool Folding Spade$63.99

    Shovels: Frequently Asked Questions

    Answers from Knifeworks' team on choosing a folding, fixed, or hand-tool shovel.

    What's the difference between a folding shovel and an entrenching tool?+

    They're generally the same thing. "Entrenching tool" is the military term for a compact digging tool, and "folding shovel" describes the same category by its design. The SOG Entrenching Tool and Cold Steel Special Forces Shovel both fall under this umbrella.

    Are these shovels good for a vehicle or bug-out kit?+

    Yes, that's their main use case. Folding models like the Cold Steel Special Forces Shovel and Gerber Gorge Folding Shovel collapse down small enough to store in a truck bed, trunk, or pack without taking up much space.

    What does the serrated edge on the Gerber E-Tool do?+

    The serrated section lets the blade saw through roots and small branches that a plain digging edge would just push past, which is useful when clearing a tent site or fire pit in rooty ground.

    Why choose a fixed shovel over a folding one?+

    A fixed shovel like the SOG Entrenching Tool has no hinge to wear out or loosen under repeated heavy digging, so it holds up better for frequent hard use, at the cost of a longer stored length than a folding design.

    Do I need a separate sheath for a Cold Steel shovel?+

    The 92SFS Shovel/Sheath Combo includes a Cor-Ex sheath, but the standard 92SF Special Forces Shovel is shovel only. The SC92SF Cordura sheath is sold separately for that model or as a replacement.

    Can I use a tactical shovel for gardening?+

    Yes, though for lighter garden tasks like weeding a smaller hand tool works better. Barebones' Weeding Hand Hoe and Triangle Hand Hoe are sized specifically for that kind of close-in digging rather than the bigger dig a full-size shovel is built for.

    How do I maintain a carbon steel shovel blade?+

    Wipe the blade dry after use since most tactical shovels use carbon steel rather than stainless, and a light coat of oil before long-term storage helps prevent rust from forming.

    What's the difference between the Special Forces Shovel and the Spetsnaz Trench Shovel?+

    The Special Forces Shovel 92SF uses a black carbon finish and folds compactly, while the Spetsnaz Trench Shovel CS92SFX pairs a medium carbon steel head with a hickory handle for a more traditional grip and feel.

    Cold Steel, Gerber & SOG Authorized Dealer · Folding, Fixed & Hand Tools

    Find the Right Shovel for Your Kit

    Every shovel here ships same or next business day from Columbia, Louisiana, backed by full manufacturer warranty support. Call 888-225-9775 — our team can help you pick the right shovel for the job.

    Shop All Shovels →