Gerber E-Tool Review: Does It Live Up to Expectations?
Is this tool the best option for your outdoor adventures? We weigh in with our Gerber E-Tool review
Are you tired of lugging around a clunky, heavy spade on your outdoor adventures? Look no further than the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade, a tactical and versatile tool that will be your new best friend on your next camping or hiking trip.
In this article, we’ll give you a comprehensive review of the Gerber E-Tool, highlighting its key features, benefits, and drawbacks based on our hands-on experience with the product.
We know how important it is to have a reliable and durable spade when you’re out in the wild, and that’s exactly what the Gerber E-Tool provides. With its foldable design, carbon steel blade, comfortable handle, serrated edge, and hammer feature, this spade has everything you need to dig through tough ground, turf, and even ice.
But we won’t just tell you about the E-Tool’s features – we’ll show you how to use it properly for different outdoor activities and provide tips on how to maintain and care for it. Plus, we’ll compare it to other popular folding spades on the market to give you a comprehensive understanding of its strengths and weaknesses.
So, if you’re ready to upgrade your outdoor gear and make your life easier on your next adventure, keep reading our Gerber E-Tool Review. Trust us, you won’t regret it – and your back will thank you later.
Table of Contents
Features of the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade
Alright, the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade. What makes this spade so special, you ask? Well, let’s take a closer look at its key features.
Foldable Design
First off, let’s talk about the foldable design. This is one of its major selling points – the fact that it can be folded into a compact size for easy storage and transportation. It’s perfect for those of us who don’t have a lot of extra space in our backpacks, or who don’t want to carry around a bulky spade all day.
Durable Blade
The blade of the E-Tool is made of carbon steel, which is known for its strength and durability. We put this spade to the test, digging through tough soil and even some rocks, and it held up impressively well.
The carbon steel blade is sharp and cuts through dirt well, and the serrated edge makes it even easier to cut through roots and tough soil.
Comfortable Handle
Now, let’s talk about the handle of the folding spade. It’s made of glass-filled nylon, which might not sound very comfortable, but trust us – it is.
The handle is designed to fit comfortably in your hand and provide a secure grip, even when you’re digging through tough terrain.
We didn’t experience any slipping or discomfort while using the spade for extended periods of time.
Hammer Feature
One of the unique features of the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade is its hammer feature. The back of the spade has a flat surface that can be used as a hammer, which is great for pounding in tent stakes or other outdoor tasks. We tried it out and were impressed with how well it worked as a hammer – it didn’t damage the spade at all.
Sheath Included
Last but not least, let’s talk about the sheath that comes with the Gerber E-Tool. It’s made of nylon and can be attached to a belt or backpack for easy transport.
The sheath is durable and held up well during our testing, and it’s a nice added bonus that you don’t have to purchase separately.
So, there you have it – the key features of the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade. It’s a spade that’s designed to be versatile, durable, and easy to use. Whether you’re camping, hiking, or digging at the beach, this spade has everything you need to make your outdoor experience a little bit easier.
Benefits of the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade
So, what are the actual benefits of using this spade? Why should you choose this one over other spades on the market? Let’s dive in.
Versatility
One of the biggest benefits of the E-Tool is its versatility. This spade can be used for a variety of outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking, gardening, and even snow activities. We tested it out in different terrains and found that it performed well in all of them. It certainly can be used to help build a survival shelter.
Ease of Use
Another benefit of the Gerber E-Tool is its ease of use. The foldable design makes it easy to store and transport, and the comfortable handle and sharp blade make it easy to use for extended periods of time. We didn’t experience any hand fatigue or discomfort while using the spade, which is a huge plus.
Portability
The portability of the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade is another major benefit. As we mentioned earlier, the spade can be folded into a compact size and stored in its nylon sheath for easy transport. It’s also lightweight, weighing in at only 2.3 pounds, so you won’t even notice it’s in your backpack.
Performance in Different Terrains
We tested the Gerber E-Tool in different terrains – from soft soil to hard clay to even some rocks – and it performed well in all of them.
The carbon steel blade is sharp and cuts through dirt fairly easily for a small shovel, and the serrated edge is decent for cutting through tough roots, though a saw would be better. We even used it to chip away at some ice, and it held up surprisingly well.
Look, realistically, no portable folding shovel is going to be better at digging through heavy clay or rocky soils than a full sized spade. But you can’t carry a full sized spade in your backpack. That’s why the folding shovel exists – so you can have decent capability, …and carry it wherever you want to go.
Real-Life Examples
We could sit here all day and tell you about the benefits of the Gerber E-Tool, but let’s give you some real-life examples instead.
This is how the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade performed during a recent camping trip.
We used it for various tasks, such as clearing the campsite, digging a trench for a rain shelter, and digging a fire pit. Here’s how it fared.
Clearing the Campsite
When we arrived at the campsite, the first thing we needed to do was clear an area for our tents. The E-Tool made quick work of this task, cutting through the soft soil like butter.
The comfortable handle made it easy to use, and we were able to dig out an area with a good extended effort.
However, as we dug deeper, we encountered some roots that were a little more difficult to cut through. But the serrated edge on the E-Tool was up to the task, and we were able to remove the roots without any major issues, but took quite a while.
Digging A Shallow Trench
Later on, we needed to dig a trench to divert some rainwater away from our campsite. This was a bit more challenging than clearing the campsite, as the soil was a bit harder.
It took a little more effort to get the blade through the soil, and we found ourselves having to use a bit more force. We also encountered some rocks that made the task a bit more difficult. However, with some persistence and effort, we were able to dig a trench that was deep enough to channel the water away from our campsite.
Digging a Fire Pit
Perhaps the most impressive task the E-Tool tackled was digging a fire pit. We wanted a deep pit that would hold a roaring fire, and the E-Tool delivered.
We started out by marking the area where we wanted the pit, then started digging. The carbon steel blade cut through the soil with ease, and we were able to dig deeper and deeper.
However, we did encounter some roots that were a little harder to cut through, and we had to use the serrated edge to get through them. But we kept at it, and soon enough, we had a pit that was deep enough to hold a great fire.
Overall, we were very happy with how the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade performed on our camping trip. While there were some challenges and struggles with certain tasks, the E-Tool ultimately proved to be up to the task.
Pros and Cons of the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade
Now, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of the Gerber E-Tool. We’ll give you a balanced perspective on the spade’s strengths and weaknesses, so you can make an informed decision before purchasing.
Pros
One of the biggest pros of the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade is its foldable design. We love how easy it is to store and transport, because of its compact size. But that can be applied to all folding shovels. The carbon steel blade and serrated edge are also big selling points, as they make it easy to dig through tough soil and roots.
We also liked the handle and found it to be comfortable to hold and it provides a good grip, even when it’s raining (remember the drainage trenches we mentioned above?). We felt the D handle shape gave us good leverage especially when the shovel was in the hoe position.
Another pro of the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade is its versatility. We have used it for all kinds of outdoor activities, from camping, digging holes for geocaching, to building snow shelters. It performs well in different terrains, including soft soil, hard clay, and soil with glacial deposits of rocks in it.
We liked the nylon sheath better than other folding shovels’ sheaths. It made it easy to attach the spade to a backpack or belt so we could carry it anywhere. And the sheath with more and more scuffs has held up well over time.
Cons
While there are many pros to the E-Tool, there are also some cons to be aware of. Like we mentioned previously, no portable folding spade is ideal for heavy-duty tasks, such as digging for long periods of time through extremely hard or rocky soil.
But that’s going to apply to the whole class of folding shovels, not just the E-tool.
The serrated edge can be difficult to sharpen, which will be a drawback for some.
Another potential con is the weight of the spade. While it is lightweight compared to traditional spades, it can still be a bit heavy for extended use.
Overall Impression
While there are some cons to be aware of, our overall impression of the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade is positive. We appreciate its versatility, ease of use, and compact size, making it a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts who need a reliable and durable spade.
Comparison to Other Folding Spades
Now let’s compare the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade to other popular folding spades on the market. See our list of the best survival shovels.
SOG Folding Shovel
The SOG Folding Shovel is another popular option. It features a carbon steel blade and a comfortable handle, and can be folded for easy storage and transport. One advantage of the SOG Folding Shovel is its built-in, detachable saw, which can come in handy for cutting through branches and small trees.
However, the SOG Folding Shovel is also heavier than the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade, which may be a drawback for some. It also doesn’t come with a sheath, which can make it more difficult to transport.
US GI Military Original Issue E-Tool
The US GI Military Original Issue E-Tool is another popular folding spade that’s often compared to the Gerber E-Tool.
This is the tool that was replaced by the Gerber E-Tool as the military-issued folding shovel. While it’s made of durable materials, such as tempered steel and aluminum, it’s also much heavier than the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade. We noticed the extra weight when we had to carry it for extended periods of time.
Coleman Folding Shovel and Pick
The Coleman Folding Shovel and Pick is a versatile tool that features a foldable design and comes with a nylon sheath for easy transport.
The blade is made of tempered forged steel and has a serrated edge, making it easy to dig through tough soil and roots. The handle is made of durable plastic and features a comfortable grip.
Compared to the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade, the Coleman Folding Shovel and Pick is heavier and doesn’t have as many features. It also tends to be less expensive than the Gerber E-Tool.
Overall Comparison
When compared to other popular folding spades on the market, the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade holds up well. Its foldable design, carbon steel blade, and comfortable handle make it a reliable and versatile tool for outdoor activities.
While there are other spades that may be more durable or lighter, the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade strikes the best balance between functionality and portability.
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Making a Decision
When it comes down to it, choosing the right folding spade for your needs depends on your specific requirements.
If you need a spade that’s extremely durable and don’t mind the extra weight, the US GI Military Original Issue E-Tool may be the best choice for you. If you prioritize portability and ease of use, the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade is easily the better choice. Whatever you decide, we hope this comparison has helped you make an informed decision.
How to Use and Maintain the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade
Now that you’ve learned all about the Gerber E-Tool, let’s talk about how to use and maintain it properly. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to use the spade for different outdoor activities and discuss how to properly maintain and care for it to ensure its longevity.
Using the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade
The E-Tool is a versatile tool that can be used for a variety of outdoor activities. Here are some tips on how to use it properly:
- When digging, make sure to keep your feet and body weight over the blade to provide additional leverage.
- If the ground is particularly hard, use the serrated edge to cut through roots and tough soil.
- When hammering, make sure to use the flat surface on the back of the spade and not the blade itself.
- If the spade becomes dull, use a sharpening stone or file to sharpen the blade.
Maintaining the Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade
Proper maintenance is key to ensuring the longevity of your Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade. Here are some tips on how to maintain and care for it:
- After each use, wipe down the spade with a dry cloth to remove any dirt or debris.
- If the spade becomes particularly dirty, use a mild soap and water to clean it.
- Make sure to dry the spade thoroughly before storing it to prevent rust.
- Apply a rust inhibitor to the blade periodically to prevent rust and corrosion.
- Store the spade in a cool, dry place to prevent damage to the handle or sheath.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your Gerber E-Tool will be a part of your wilderness survival gear for years to come.
Our Verdict
The Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade is a versatile and durable tool that is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who need a compact and reliable spade.
It is probably the best folding shovel we tested so far. It just has the right balance of size and weight for getting good ground penetration when you swing it, build quality and the blade has just the right angle for a better trenching action than other shovels we have tested.
Its foldable design, carbon steel blade, and comfortable handle make it a reliable and versatile tool for outdoor activities such as hiking and camping. It is an invaluable tool to have in any emergency like natural disasters to your vehicle getting stuck in the snow.
By following the tips we’ve provided on how to use and maintain the spade properly, you can ensure that it performs well and lasts for years to come.
Remember, being prepared with the right gear and skills is crucial when enjoying outdoor activities. The Gerber E-Tool is just one example of the many tools available to help you make the most of your time outside.
So, invest in the right gear and develop the necessary skills to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable experience.
