M48 Kommando Survival Shovel Multi Tool

The M48 Kommando Survival Shovel Multi Tool makes sense tucked into a car emergency kit or brought along for campsite chores. At 16 1/4 inches overall, it combines a digging head with several cutting edges in a compact tool. That short handle keeps it manageable to carry, but it also means less reach for digging than a full-size shovel. The chopping edge is meant for light work, not replacing an axe.

The head is the detail worth a second look. Tempered 2Cr13 stainless steel gets a hard black oxide coating, a sharpened point, partial serrations along one side, and a concave chopping edge on the other. Each edge gets a different job, which explains the unusual shape better than the tactical styling does. The injection-molded nylon handle is reinforced with 30% fiberglass, and a reinforced nylon belt pouch is included for carrying it.

For car-kit and campsite preppers, the trade makes sense: accept the limits of a short shovel and light chopper, and carry fewer separate tools. I’d consider it for occasional digging and small chopping tasks around camp. For sustained digging, I’d still bring a longer shovel.