Military Folding Shovel and Pick with Carrying Pouch, Multi Purpose for Camping, Hiking, Backpacking, Gardening - Tactical Army Entrenching Tool, Trench Shovel, Survival Steel Spade by Fobachi

The FOBACHI military folding shovel is without doubt one of the best purchases I have ever made. This summer, I decided to remove six conifers (12 foot x 8 foot wide) from my mums garden. I cut them down easily enough and all was well until I started trying to dig out the stumps. A traditional spade was too large to dig among the narrow gaps of the thick network of large tangled roots, and after a few days I conceded defeat and went looking for something smaller. There were many small folding shovels on offer claiming to be used by 'Special Forces' etc, but they also had specially high prices.I took a punt on the The FOBACHI military folding shovel. It arrived promptly in a small brown jiffy bag and at first I thought there had been a mistake; surely it can't be in an A5 envelope? Sure enough, the shovel is contained, disassembled, in its own small canvas carry pouch, with the head of the shovel folded over to save space. A simple screw thread connects the head to the shaft and you're ready to go.The first thing you notice is how tough the steel is. I thought if it lasts this job, it's done well. This shovel (along with a lot of hard work on my part) had six stumps out in four days. The handy folding pick on the reverse side of the shovel (which stows away when not in use) was also helpful to dig in minute gaps and allow me to gain access to unseen vertical tap roots.Another handy feature is the serrated edge, which I frequently used to chop through the numerous network of thinner trailing roots.Despite being made of steel, it is light in the hand and easy to use and the rubber grip means it won't fly out of your hand on hot sticky days or wet nasty ones. In fact, despite the array of tools I had assembled, I frequently found my self only needing this shovel; it's that versatile. A simple clean with a wet rag, then dried off with a towel and it stored away ready for next time. The shovel went onto serve me the whole summer, digging out a ton of limestone chippings as well as planting new trees. The fact I could hold the tree with one hand and dig using the FOBACHI with the other was a lifesaver. Throughout all that digging, I never felt as though it would snap, bend or let me down. Also, its small compact size was vital in digging out a trench I made for some raised beds, where a full size spade isn't practical to wield.All in all, this shovel just won't quit. I love its spirit! (if shovels can have spirit). I cannot recommend it highly enough. Buy one and just marvel at it.

Ok let be clear this is a very well made unit the blade side of the (shovel) is not sharp but the hole unit seems nice and strong. It is very compact and fits on the pouch well .The pick side of the tool is about right to help you get started digging out a small fire pit .Ther is a serrated edge on the others side not sure how useful this will e will test it soon. This makes a nice compact emergency tool.Now to the cons it is tiny about the size of my hand so as a true shovel it is not more a large garden trowel.Also my carry case showed signs of ware and had a small hole in the back .Taking in to account the good and bad points i will be adding this to my bag as a emergency tool and for light digging ie fire pits and alike jobs it still good value for money and the size is a pluse for easy carry as long as your not plaing on digging a trench ,it would probably do the job as it seem strong but take a lot of time and effort

Over all not bad for the price. It's compact and functional. The saw and blade aren't really up to much.

OK first things first, if you are the person who has just been awarded the contract for the London Underground Extension keep looking coz this ain't gonna do it :).For the rest, yes it is small but it really does do the job, so far used for digging fire pits and for disposing of mine and the dogs pooh in holes around a foot deep, yes I know the P word but hey ho. This digging tool is actually pretty tough unlike the £7 version my friend had (note the word had) it cuts through roots does not bend when leveraged and although the shovel face is more like an XL trowel you can actually move a lot of earth without getting fatigued. I have dug a few pits/holes etc and so far no sign of wear, no bending of the metal and the shovel still tightens up.More importantly the pin has not deformedMost things in life are compromise and the compromise here is this, this tool is smaller than others and thus digging make take slightly longer although for fire pits you would most likely not really notice. However it is lighter takes up less space and still functions as you would hope. I would never presume to tell you what you should buy and as with all things begin by understanding what you actually need, and how you will use/transport it. For me a heavier shovel would be left behind thus rendering it useless where this is a perfect size and a good weight. I am therefor happy t accept the lower shovel capacity as my compromise.I hope this helps,Paul

Disapointingly flimsy and ridiculously small. The pouch can only be used when the handle is not screwed in all in all a bit of a joke tool so I gave it to a friends son to play at camping with.

very small compared to the photos

Sturdy folding spade/pick mini mattock. Smaller than I thought, assembled its about as long as my forearm and the blade is roughly palm sized. It weighs 600g and fits snuggly in a handy pouch (included). Folded and packed its about hand sized. The shaft is in 2 parts with a decent thread length that means a secure bond. Altogether its a excellent little utility shovel.The edge comes not very sharp but a couple of mins with a whet stone sorted that, ditto for the teeth of the saw. The pouch is the most disappointing part as it seems a bit flimsy and cheap. I wouldn't want to rely on it attached to a belt as the stiching seems weak and the velcro is a bit inadequate. That said if its in a rucksack it should do find to keep it isolated and also attached to a belt might take some explaining.