Deltaboy1984
Member
We keep those tools in all our rigs. I love the Nam era entrancing tool.
Quality of entrenching tools?
- Thread starter 19-3Ben
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Snyper
Member
I keep a 3' D-handled shovel under the rack of my ATV.
With sharpened edges it will easily take down wrist sized trees and can be quite a formidable weapon
Many "tools" are weapons of opportunity whenever you need one
With sharpened edges it will easily take down wrist sized trees and can be quite a formidable weapon
Many "tools" are weapons of opportunity whenever you need one
karlsgunbunker
Member
I grew up using the VN era Army Surplus e-tools in Boy scouts.
I picked up some E German e-tools for the BOB's when they were plentiful and cheap.
For the Truck I use a Czech Surplus Folder, it's packs smaller than other surplus e-tools.
I think I paid $10 for a pair. Handle has a cable in it so it can't be lost and it's very solid when assembled.
I picked up some E German e-tools for the BOB's when they were plentiful and cheap.
For the Truck I use a Czech Surplus Folder, it's packs smaller than other surplus e-tools.
I think I paid $10 for a pair. Handle has a cable in it so it can't be lost and it's very solid when assembled.
Shanghai McCoy
Member
Well, thanks to our knowledgeable and generous member rc I now have a "new" WW2 E tool in the Forester. 
Thank you rc.
Thank you rc.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
No problem Shanghai!
Enjoyed the visit, and seeing your old German multi-tool set we cleaned up in the basement.
You need to post what you know about that now!
(With photos!)
I had never seen such a knife set before!!
And I doubt few others have either.
rc
Enjoyed the visit, and seeing your old German multi-tool set we cleaned up in the basement.
You need to post what you know about that now!
(With photos!)
I had never seen such a knife set before!!
And I doubt few others have either.
rc
Jackal
Member
I've found the old Ames E tool hard to beat.
Just to follow up a bit, without too much research needed at all, I figured out that the E-tool I used in my story as related in the OP is an M1943. That thing is really solid, and I have to say I like it a lot. Once you screw down the nut, the head of that shovel isn't going anywhere.
The edge is slightly sharpened but not much. I wonder if I can get a decent edge on it. Do you think I'll need to use a file set? What do soldiers in the field use to put an edge on an E-tool?
The edge is slightly sharpened but not much. I wonder if I can get a decent edge on it. Do you think I'll need to use a file set? What do soldiers in the field use to put an edge on an E-tool?
As a contractor who digs in the dirt, I will always have a fond view of the shovel or E-tool. Truly capable invisible weapons.
I have one of the old German surplus folding tools with the pick. People who have commented on them being robust are not joking. They probably weigh close to 5lbs. Pretty beefy for a spade, really.
I have a couple of small D-handle shovels that I bought from Menard's for $10 that I keep around. One rides behind the seat of my open top jeep. I figure if it walks off, no big loss.
I do want to get a CS shovel before the next camping trip. I like how serviceable their hawks are, and the shovel would be very useful. Also, my German tool is starting to become a bit more rare. I'm taking it out of rotation since it is probably worth more than the $15 I paid for it in 1998.
I have one of the old German surplus folding tools with the pick. People who have commented on them being robust are not joking. They probably weigh close to 5lbs. Pretty beefy for a spade, really.
I have a couple of small D-handle shovels that I bought from Menard's for $10 that I keep around. One rides behind the seat of my open top jeep. I figure if it walks off, no big loss.
I do want to get a CS shovel before the next camping trip. I like how serviceable their hawks are, and the shovel would be very useful. Also, my German tool is starting to become a bit more rare. I'm taking it out of rotation since it is probably worth more than the $15 I paid for it in 1998.
VA27
Member
I grew up using the VN era Army Surplus e-tools in Boy scouts.
I picked up some E German e-tools for the BOB's when they were plentiful and cheap.
For the Truck I use a Czech Surplus Folder, it's packs smaller than other surplus e-tools.
I think I paid $10 for a pair. Handle has a cable in it so it can't be lost and it's very solid when assembled.
Drat! Now I have to find one of those! I really like it.
kBob
Member
19-3 Ben,
Officially my unit carried nothing in thr field to sharpen e-tools.
In the company arms room in the rear was a hand operated cranked round grind stone only about 9 inches across. It had two guides on it, one for bayonet edges and one for e-tool edges. Because the armorers tended to have no idea how to use these without buggering up an e-tool or bayonet they generally only got used by some of us that cared. Honestly I think a file without even dressing with a stone did a better and neater job.....but when you need to do 36 etools this after noon......
To me the old "Travel light , freeze at night" means carry what you need and deal with it rather than cut weight at all costs. So when a light Infantryman I carried a 1 inch wide craftsman file that barely fit cross wise in my pack and a two sided stone. I got ribbed about carrying "too much crap", but folks that criticized had no problem asking me to dress the edge of everything from pocket knives to the "engineer tools" ( a light ax and a D handle shovel) carried on vehicles.
A few relaxing passes with a file on a shovel point and edge occasionally was a lot easier than cursing and wacking at every root ten times.
-kBob
Officially my unit carried nothing in thr field to sharpen e-tools.
In the company arms room in the rear was a hand operated cranked round grind stone only about 9 inches across. It had two guides on it, one for bayonet edges and one for e-tool edges. Because the armorers tended to have no idea how to use these without buggering up an e-tool or bayonet they generally only got used by some of us that cared. Honestly I think a file without even dressing with a stone did a better and neater job.....but when you need to do 36 etools this after noon......
To me the old "Travel light , freeze at night" means carry what you need and deal with it rather than cut weight at all costs. So when a light Infantryman I carried a 1 inch wide craftsman file that barely fit cross wise in my pack and a two sided stone. I got ribbed about carrying "too much crap", but folks that criticized had no problem asking me to dress the edge of everything from pocket knives to the "engineer tools" ( a light ax and a D handle shovel) carried on vehicles.
A few relaxing passes with a file on a shovel point and edge occasionally was a lot easier than cursing and wacking at every root ten times.
-kBob
Sav .250
Member
Saw one at Academy Sports the other day for $7. Going to get one as soon as my wife gives me my weekly allowance.
ApacheCoTodd
member
How did this happen?
Due to having emptied a couple of our vehicles (EVERYTHING comes out if they are to make a shop visit or be "detailed") and getting ready for irrigation season here - it turns out I may be an I/E Tool "collector".
Really, how did that happen? Worse still, I know there are a couple-three floating around unaccounted for.
Due to having emptied a couple of our vehicles (EVERYTHING comes out if they are to make a shop visit or be "detailed") and getting ready for irrigation season here - it turns out I may be an I/E Tool "collector".
Really, how did that happen? Worse still, I know there are a couple-three floating around unaccounted for.
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kBob
Member
Good lord, Todd! How about some PM on those things?
I mean you have them out anyway. How about some sanding sharpening and painting?
-kBob
I mean you have them out anyway. How about some sanding sharpening and painting?
-kBob
ApacheCoTodd
member
Oh, to be sure!
They sit varyingly in a Jeep, Land Rover, truck, Scout and even a sometimes mistreated old Mercedes. As a result, they get used a lot and this is the first time they've been together to represent my collective shame at their treatment - especially considering how useful they have been!
Priority is to stabilizing the wood on the WWII tools.
Needs me some elbow grease, paint and oil.
Maybe this can end up one of the lamest and most boring before/after posts ever?
Deltaboy1984
Member
Love them and I need some more of them.
Andy2
Member
I have a East German E-tool that, ah, followed me home somehow after being station in Berlin... Now it keeps my jeep safe from being stuck.
I never did like the tri fold Army issue ones... the always seemed to brake at the joint.
Andy
I never did like the tri fold Army issue ones... the always seemed to brake at the joint.
Andy
I have been using the "machete shovel" to help move logs around in my fireplace. The "shovel" is absolutely flat, which means it's not a great shovel in general, but being flat, it's easier to move logs in a a cramped space.
I finally used it on wood yesterday. I was trying to split a piece of firewood with my CD 2.75, and while the knife bit fairly deeply, the short handle meant that it was hard to consistently hit the same spot, and there's only so much leverage you can get with a foot-long knife. I decided to try the machete shovel.
The first blow went about 2" into the hardwood. I then picked up the shovel, and swung it downward with the shovel still imbedded, splitting off the piece I wanted with just two blows. Very effective.
Unfortunately, there were several noticeable deformations in the blade after this. I hope they'll be easy to get out: we'll see.
I conclude from this, so far, that the Marbles Machete Shovel is potentially useful, and would make a fearsome low-observability defensive tool, but may not stand up well to rigorous use on hardwood.
I finally used it on wood yesterday. I was trying to split a piece of firewood with my CD 2.75, and while the knife bit fairly deeply, the short handle meant that it was hard to consistently hit the same spot, and there's only so much leverage you can get with a foot-long knife. I decided to try the machete shovel.
The first blow went about 2" into the hardwood. I then picked up the shovel, and swung it downward with the shovel still imbedded, splitting off the piece I wanted with just two blows. Very effective.
Unfortunately, there were several noticeable deformations in the blade after this. I hope they'll be easy to get out: we'll see.
I conclude from this, so far, that the Marbles Machete Shovel is potentially useful, and would make a fearsome low-observability defensive tool, but may not stand up well to rigorous use on hardwood.
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Thanks for the review of that machete shovel. I had been wondering about it. I have a Cold Steel Special Forces in each vehicle and in the shed. I have used the shed shovel in the garden as it is a handy little shovel. It chops roots well and digs! I have tossed it about 20 feet and stuck it in a wooden stump, so there is no doubt the shovel is multi purpose.
gillmeister692
Member
I second that thought wholeheartedly. Shoveling snow has no bearing on firearm issues.
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