For those of you who don't know Gerber makes 2 shovels. The NATO style with 2 hinges and the loop handle and the Gorge which is smaller and has one hinge and a telescopic handle.

I've used my Gorge for working with fire pits and cat holes more than anything else...there just isn't much other use for a shovel in the bush that I've found.

Yeah, that's pretty much right; not too much use for a shovel in the back country if on foot. Potty trowel is all I usually take. Like having shovel in the trunk when driving on dirt roads or in snowy conditions.

I bought my Glock shovel 'cause I wanted to do trail maintenance. The Forest Service hereabouts pretty much has abandoned regular trail maintenance. It's pretty much left up to the locals to keep the trails alive. I bought the Glock so I could easily hike it in to spots needing some work.

The only other thing I can see the Glock shovel being used for in the back country is for campsite leveling. A lot of the time, tent sites lose their levelness due to erosion. Nice sometimes to just level it out.

Along those lines, if you want to do some trail maint, have a fun camping weekend, meet new people, and have great FREE food, check out the High Sierra Volunteer Trailcrew . A friend of mine started this outfit years ago, and it just keeps growing and growing and growing...

I wonder if there is anything like that in Canada/Alberta. Every time I walk down a trail that could use some work I'm scared do anything for fear of having a bunch of Leave No Trace ninjas jump out nowhere.

I'm all for leaving things natural but when you get a dirty look for moving a rock so nobody trips on it, it makes you a little paranoid.

Actually, that shovel could be pretty handy with the LNT ninjas...

Stop! Or the root gets it!

iPood

They sell these at Campers Village here in Edmonton. I almost collapsed laughing out loud at the name when I figured out what it was for.

anyone tried the Gelert Mini Folding Pick and Shovel?

I have a couple old military collapsing tri-fold shovels....but after I smashed a finger once, I wanted something less adjustable too...and bought the Cold Steel one. Which seems bullet proof and plenty durable.
Someday I'll have one in every car all the time...neatly stored away ..just in case.
Have always thought the military surplas collapsing type stuff would be more durable than the commercial versions .. but have not actually layed my hands on every type of commercial shovel available ...but some are flimsy...which is how I just defaulted to getting the Cold Steel one.
One my stash of stuff gets too big though I start looking again for ways to shrink the size and weight.
Maybe one day someone will make a folding titanium shovel !!