I played with one. It is lighter than the more robust surplus entrenching tools and a whole lot heavier in expense. The hollow handle survival gear was fair. Packing these shovels is a PITA and you need a whole different strategy for use. You can effectively dig only kneeling and using as an axe or chopper is clumsey. Entrenching tools make great tools for a vehicle. I would buy a surplus unit and play with it first.