I have both in regular use, although I've logged a lot more hours with the issue tri-fold.<br><br>I've never broken a tri-fold. I have seen them broken. I have put some very hard use on them. The issue ones are a good tool. However - they are not a pick, and they are not maul (wood splitter).<br><br>The Cold Steel shovel is really tough. It can chop and split (use a file to put edges on it). It is not as "good" as the tri-fold at normal digging tasks, but it's servicable. The main difference is the handle shape (simple vs D handle), but there is one other more subtle difference: The tri-fold cups a load of loose soil better than the CS shovel. Regardless, I recommend them as a tough, servicable, useful tool at a real bargain (see BlueLine).<br><br>If you can also afford the tri-fold... get one and put them both to likely tasks. Pick the "winner" and toss the other in your vehicle.<br><br>Hope that helps.<br><br>Tom<br><br>