Camping with Expensive $100 Survival Shovel - Worth it?!

[@TAOutdoors]

Keep up to date with more episodes in the series: kzbin.info/aero/PLxnadpeGdTxAlCaBs5MW8cLSbRp8OFcO1&si=ilMtbtTFb5TvvWHJ

[@eponaalbion]

the reason it loosens is because each strike the head is twisting which loosens the end, there should be a clip on end to hold it, two levers, which would mitigate this issue entirely!

[@anthonycox8787]

Great series. Looking forward to the next episode.

[@djsmogg387]

Challenge your dad to catch on this fishing setup.

[@ronwingrove683]

A friend of mine came to a camp out with one of these. Almost everything we did, he said "I have a tool for that!" and we'd wait for a good 5-10 minutes while he unscrewed section after section to find the knife/saw/FAK, only to find that the tool itself didn't work worth a damn. The most useful it was, like you mentioned here, was to put all the pieces together to make a long pole, which we then used to prop up one end of the tarp. I think most of us here would agree that the more "functions" something has, the worse it performs at all of them.

[@aaronbeach8929]

I have a cheap version of this, I use it but all the extra bits r just used as a back up to my regular gear. So I'd say the cheap one is worth having more than this one.

[@KentSurvival]

I remember seeing these, or similar a while back. Performs about how id expect haha. Glad you enjoyed the sauce buddy! Camp imcoming soon i reckon!

[@TAOutdoors]

Interesting pieces of kit that’s for sure haha! Thanks for the sauces, nearly finished one of the bottles already 😅yes camp out soon mate!

[@JoeGallantChurchComms]

Loved the shoutout. You guys rock. Question - does the pup just sleep in the open/on the ground or does he have a sleep system of sorts?

[@bradhuff6879]

My two favorite two British survivors in one comment section. Much love and support for you both from state side.

[@kingrafa3938]

Yes! Andy and Mike make it happen!

[@TAOutdoors]

@@JoeGallantChurchComms Good question, summer time he sleeps out (but often finds his way into my sleeping bag if he is cold) Winter time, I bring a camp bed for him, and blanket (but again, he still finds his way into my sleeping bag where is is so small haha!)

[@gus2960]

how about you use 100 quid to make your own survival kit, knife rope etc

[@ollie-f7y]

Great idea no joke

[@simonhopkins3867]

Some second hand stuff as well.

[@TAOutdoors]

I like this 👍🏻 I reckon I have about 5-6 more kits (some really unique ones) before I will start to build my own. I’ll list price of each item that I put in it too.

[@Danielxperez14]

@@TAOutdoorsgreat!

[@gus2960]

@@TAOutdoors thanks for the reply man glad your doing it

[@pyronymph-868]

I absolutely LOVE IT when you model proper Leave No Trace principles!!❤ Nice to know you know Andy and support his new sauce business.

[@BartBuzz]

Another very informative survival kit test. My main takeaway from this survival shovel kit is that it's smarter to buy a separate and higher-quality shovel, hand axe, and knife. I agree that this kit is a bit gimmicky. It "looks" practical but you quickly discover that it's not. Looking forward to the next survival kit video.

[@Countryboy071]

Ive got an old trenching tool, cost me £10 from Army surplus (was 10 years ago), does the job 👍

[@TAOutdoors]

Me too and I love mine.

[@micheletremonti2434]

The piece you called a ice hook can also be used as a fish spear

[@Vince26010]

I have to say, this survival kit series is a brilliant idea Mike. Very interesting and entertaining. Thank you so much for the quality content.

[@TAOutdoors]

Thank you! More to come!

[@joannesmart6021]

Really look forward to a video with yourself and Andy from Kent Survival! Really look forward to both of your videos each week.

[@BrianSmith-ql5nj]

Yes!!

[@Tscharlieh]

9:29 If there is one thing you don‘t need then it’s a bottle opener. Even if you had a beer bottle to open, one knows a dozen of strategies to open it without a bottle (including your teeth).

[@Gettinglostwithlea]

Really enjoying your survival kit testing, I’m hoping to see you develop your own survival kit 😊

[@f1nkangel]

Jeepers, thank you for being so patient, anything this modular is asking for failure, in a vast set of tubes like this you would expect huge amounts of small objects for survival included and all the metal to be used as headers for some sort of wooden pole - as has been done since the beginning of time...

[@DavidWalker-wv8in]

I'm loving this survival series, keep em coming cheers

[@BrianSmith-ql5nj]

Thumbs up for the channel and content.. 2 thumbs up for andys sauce! 👍👍👍

[@curiousdernhelm9665]

Your videos are greatly appreciated. I have an idea for you, you should make a list of survival gear of your refence, designed for maybe 3 camping situations. As a suggestion of a private citizen, I don't believe you would be liable for other persons lack of knowledge. Happy to see you looking fit and recovered. God bless.

[@sonicplanet9193]

Most survival shovels have a very limited lifespan given the amount of moving parts, but some are absolutely amazing.

[@paddor]

I’m looking for a good one. Have you found a good one?

[@rdj232]

@@paddor i have not broken a US Army shovel.Yet

[@bc4yt]

​@@paddor check out the one Canadian Prepper sells. I have no real world experience with any of them, but of all the videos I've seen, CPs looks the best. They often sell out, so hopefully that's a good sign. Pretty expensive though, but if this trash is what we get for 80 quid, then paying more makes sense.

[@paddor]

@@bc4yt Thanks. I just bought a Dutch army shovel for 25 EUR. It seems solid. Pouch included. (X Military Store)

[@ailinofaolin8897]

Just get a Russian shovel I use mine as an axe given how sharp it's edges are it's a solid bit of kit.

[@daftfish99]

Loving this series MIke. Definitely more than our 0-3 performance at OT at weekend!

[@TAOutdoors]

Yeah let’s forget that one!

[@jonhodges6572]

Would love to see a collab with Kent Survival!

[@Hector-vx5yc]

Hi TA Outdoor, loving your channel and content, I’ve been binge watching your videos and came across an episode where your father was with you! That was an awesome episode, I really enjoyed watching father and son together, any chance on making another episode with your father? I’m enjoying watching your survival gear episodes, I’ve learned so much! Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge!!👍🏽💯❤️ from Washington state 🇺🇸

[@TAOutdoors]

Yes we have more planned this autumn/winter 👍🏻

[@ddraidex6842]

Love the survival kit series so we know how well they all work.

[@chaddelong6795]

I like this series it’s cool to see what different companies think you would NEED in a survival situation.

[@daviddedank]

Watching these vids really make me want to go do this myself haha. Love the vids ❤

[@susanwright6785]

I’m in my happy place! Always enjoy spending time with you and Jaxx! Stay well.

[@emilemarcotte2782]

I love this new series 😊 Thanks for "suffering" for our enjoyement 😂 (Also the "subtle" subscribe plug was quite funny 😁)

[@TAOutdoors]

😊

[@lcpltylerhanyzewski]

Hey Mike, hope you and the family are well. The fact you used a Dakota fire hole made me smile. They're amazing if done right. The survival tool you used, I had one similar. It had some good things to it, but for the price it was overall shote. I had similar issues you did, but a few pole sections did break over time. I saw a comment about making your own kit. I agree. Would love to see your take on various price ranges of self built survival kits

[@jamesellsworth9673]

Generally, reviewers have been unhappy with this type of kit. Your problems are ones they had as well. The ax head worked as a short-handled hatchet and that was about it. The 88-pound price gives you a good bit of leeway in purchasing items for your final take on a useful survival kit.

[@CubaLou1]

Love the videos. I’m a recent subscriber and came across the stealth shelters video and had no idea that camo netting existed, so I do appreciate that aside of the general informative videos. Keep up the great work.

[@MisterKisk]

Usually how it goes with combo tools and twist together handles in these kits. If you had absolutely nothing else, you'd be very thankful to have it, but otherwise dedicated tools with solid handles will almost always function much better and make your life less difficult (which if you're in a survival situation, making your life easier is always a good thing).

[@doubled3983]

Hello from Oklahoma! Good Video! Love the series! Being an old farmer, You got to get done while You can. We have a saying for hard earth, "this ground is harder than mummy nuts!" I think I would modify a bottle opener into a ferro rod striker. Thanks for all You do! God Bless!

[@anthonyzummo867]

I bought one of those 5.99 fold up shovels that comes in a zipper pouch from Temu and people made fun of me, saying it would fall apart and it's too small to do anything. I ended up using it to make Dakota fire holes perfectly due to it's small size. It's not like I'm digging trenches lol. So my cheap fold up shovel still works perfectly for my needs. This shovel looks like it has so many more uses to it.

[@WoodyAndy]

The fact that a piece of junk like that is advertised as a 'survival tool' is irresponsible. These marketing people don't care about people surviving, they just care about money. Thanks for the review Mike, atb Andy

[@Sam-iw6te]

One of those tools you buy for the pouch. I honestly wouldn't mind buying a ton of those segments as a tent poll that's extendable. Heck, you could carry a whole tripod with enough of them. Thing is this has been tried many times, and every time we all go back to the old military surplus folding shovels. I have an original, and it's indestructible. I love that thing. All they have to do is remake that, put it in a kit that has a handful of companion tools and we'd have perfection. Also, it should have an end cap that is just a simple spike, either for staking into the ground or hunting/fishing.

[@MiaEngel-p4u4u]

Your videos are a treasure. Thank you for your talent and creativity.‍♂️🎆🎾

[@ManInTheWoods76]

The quality question wouldn't matter much to me, good or bad. I'm holding a shovel that I made from an old garden shovel. It was free to me; just labor. The short handle is a whole carved ash branch. Give me that and $30 worth misc pocket items. I am better set with that than those shovel novelty things. As a bonus, my pocket items as are inside the shovel... Mine actually work💪 Wonderful review. Thank you!

[@Tscharlieh]

I would assume the whistle only works when you detach the fire steel from the other end.

[@axelthorn2263]

Hi Maybe that's why the fire Steel comes off easy😊

[@TAOutdoors]

I did think that (and I tried it) but for some reason this one just didn't work..

[@axelthorn2263]

@@TAOutdoors Oh OK Thank you so much for taking the time to reply I really appreciate that as I know you're busy and fair play for all you do

[@rickyjeneson7857]

It looked like it was going to be okay to start Mike. But what a let down . This survival series is great . Happy days thanks for uploading such great content.

[@stevenclarke2592]

I would say the slot looks like the slot on my rigging knife for undoing shackles. The flatter side of the pick looks like an adze for woodworking. I would add spices to the steak before digging the fire pit to enable the dried chilli flakes to hydrate them and penitrate the meat more. Looks an interesting bit of kit, definitely better than the previous 2 but price reflects that. In the bottom of fire pit we used bigger logs. Don't like fire steel being loose but that also means it is replaceable. Great video.

[@achimklinkhammer_150]

Hello from Germany! In my opinion, you've shown exactly the reasons for this children's toys haven't be used for military (or survival) requirements at all. May be, some of these things may work, but what shall I do with a conglomerate of half-baked tools when my life is depending on it? So, thank you for showing us your expierience and bewaring us from making heavily mistakes! 85 £! Greets and all the best to you and Jax, Achim PS: I love your YT videos! And thank you for your thoroughness with your campfire. I've seen your video about a "little grilling party" and what can happen after that. PS II: yes, the pick axe maybe is useable. And it is a lot lighter than my 'Schweizer Pionierpickel'... 😉

[@drewjarvis05]

YES, I do love the subject matter to these videos and am looking forward to the next ones. Big thumbs up from me... Awesome

[@Joshie_Curtis]

Thanks for the upload right as I realised I was getting bored

[@chrisstaniforth5629]

Cheers Mike!! Enjoying this series pal!!

[@skieast3631]

Can’t wait to see the survival kit you put together at the end of

[@beancampingpodcast7926]

Out with a Terrier and you need another digging tool... 🐶🐶😂 nice vid 😊

[@TAOutdoors]

Haha too right! He should have dug that fire pit for me 😂

[@TheSaneHatter]

Having seen this kit advertised on Amazon years ago, I can’t say I’m surprised at your review of its performance. what’s more amusing, though, is how this episode keeps tying back to the previous test outings: the presence of the often-missed fishing kit, the debate over sawing versus cutting rope with a serrated edge, and perhaps the one situation in which a wire saw would actually have been preferable!😂 If you’re going to test out another commercial kit, I’d like to see the “Scout Survival Kit” from Best Glide ASE: another variation in the SAS survival tin, but this time from a company with a good reputation.

[@BigDismal]

I love that grill. Simple, no moving parts to break or screws to come loose. Looks like a good feed as well. And you used one of Andy's sauces :)

[@Alex-l940]

Temu survival kit next? you might die but it would certainly be entertaining

[@simonhopkins3867]

Alex that's terrible. 😂

[@Alex-l940]

​@@simonhopkins3867agreed but you can't tell be it wouldn't get veiws

[@bob_the_bomb4508]

Is Temu the new Wish?

[@S115PL]

Yes, but wish is still sickening​@@bob_the_bomb4508

[@chrishaugh1655]

@@bob_the_bomb4508 TEMU is Wish on crack cocaine.

[@ARDrummer]

Always enjoy your uploads...very informative!

[@scottmcintosh2988]

Try asparagus in a pickle glass jar add water and boil it stem part down so it steams the top and boils the rest very old recipe !

[@tomconway8881]

I agree with your summation.

[@SurvivalSkills93]

This is a very handy tool for minimalist people 🎉

[@toddablett4493]

To bad you didn't have a shovel or something to fill that hole back up with (kinda proves what you thought of the shovel)...another great video and thank you for taking us on the journey. I can't wait to see what you are going to offer when you make your own survival kit.

[@kakasimi1]

Great episode! And happy to see you’ve bounced back from your medical misadventure.

[@twinengineer]

When using fire steel, keep the scraping device closer to 90 degrees. You will get much better results.

[@Miss_moonlite]

Ty so much for showing us your series of survival kits

[@jimmccoys5778]

Really enjoying this testing series!! Cheers!!

[@NigeWebb]

Really enjoy the kit tests. Nice one, Hwyl, Taffy Nige.

[@cjwhiterabbit1]

Stainless steel gardening trowel, proper scout compass w magnifying, hardwood "escrima" batten / bat (multi-purpose stick always handy ) n good hefty fixed blade knife (no need for an axe when u have a good wire saw)

[@ToddHoffmann]

Ive watched alot of these,they are great. One thing i learned is from my brothers Estwing hatchet(an excellent company and tool) when used backedwards as a hammer for tent stakes and other tasks , if you left the sheath on ,as you should, the rivets bumped against the blade and all made dull dents. This made him sad. Just a tiny detail but memorable. So when buying a hatchet of course the tool quality is most important but check the sheath/cover for rivet placement. 😊

[@lynetteclauser3551]

Loving the series. Keep it up!

[@stephenbrown321]

Really enjoyed the video. Would it be possible at some point to test all the survival fishing gear to see how they actually work in a real life test? Also you could drop a few hints and tips on how best to utilise them.

[@TAOutdoors]

Yes, great point, I will be doing more on the fishing kits soon!

[@lorkainenkingg8497]

I stay away from gimmicky survival gear. I avoid this type of segmented tool like the plague mainly because the handle sections come loose - as you demonstrated - during use. I would only use this kind of "kit" if it was all I had available in a survival situation. Great video in any event. Thanks!

[@JEBOOUTDOORS]

Great tips, great camp, Mike! Thanks a lot!

[@Arthur.Morgan.0]

Can u review the (Embedo Multi-Tool Axe) please 🙏 great video as always 👍

[@cliftonbrown8764]

Great video very educational and revealing in reference to survival kit facts and usage.

[@HIGHPERFORMANCEHAVEN]

Having owned the same kit i usually just stuck the shovel in the ground and put alot of effort into tightening it that way, i had 2 of these kits as my shovel head had snapped, and ive had to glue the fire stick in but its an awesome kit regardless. Also the shovel head is designed to be cooked on aswell.

[@alistairj4851]

I have heard that if you replace the rubber/silicon O-rings with thin pieces of leather or fabric thread, it grips a lot better and loosens a lot less frequently.

[@Jack-bp3ns]

Shouldn't have to really but good idea

[@TAOutdoors]

Good idea, might try it out this week 👍🏻

[@axelthorn2263]

Hey or maybe even that forgot the name of it but that thin tape that plumbers use for thread😊

[@amandawhite1034]

I really like this series !

[@smucka1]

I actually subcised when he pulled the paper note out.

[@freddyoutdoors]

Really enjoyed watching this epic camp too and great food

[@LemiLeMach]

A collaboration with Andy - Kent Survival and Simon - a Bloke in the woods, would be an excellent adventure

[@Hierac11]

I bought a 30 pounds shovel that i bought and i managed to start a fire with the flint and knife that ive have been provided and also it better that the one you showed us, never gotten loose or anything

[@kingrafa3938]

Thanks for the video Mike!

[@NigeWebb]

Enjoying the kit tests, nice one. Hwyl, Taffy Nige.

[@jamesyoung8453]

I really like seeing Jax in your videos.

[@axelthorn2263]

Hi TD, OUTDOORS 😊 Like you said it's good for backup maybe especially in the car just in case you haven't got anything and then need it😊 Anyway thanks again for doing this so some of us don't have to😊😊

[@ArielleViking]

That steak sure looked good. Great test out of that kit, with what you found, this one looks more gimmick that substance, some components worked, others were a fail.. Great comprehensive review. 👍🏻

[@andykjohnsonjohnson7622]

Nice video Mike & Jaxx's 👍👍. Yer I'm gonna stay with my good old ww2 trench shovel. Way more reliable than all the, gimmick crap out there. Awesome to see you using & promoting Andy's ' Kent survival ' products 😀 👏. Would be awesome to see you Andy & Simon 'Bloke in the Woods ' camping video 😊

[@jordansmith4040]

A few compact purpose built tools would probably perform twice as well. I feel prolonged use would be annoying, so it's more of an emergency kit than an everyday bushcraft kit.

[@tobiasmills9647]

You'd think for that price they'd have included a small file or oilstone inside one of the sections. I feel like companies that sell survival equipment you can't use out of the box should be held accountable for liability. The whole point of an "all in one kit", is that it's ready when you need it.

[@cbaugh3148]

Loved you trying new beers. Not sure if it’s a monetary thing but wouldn’t mind seeing you try out some new breweries.

[@ADI121195]

I thought that extra piece you have was to keep it to a certain lowering point but when you used it to lift it up and down it all made sense 😂

[@PsylomeAlpha]

I've considered getting something like this for the purposes of having a walking stick with basic back-up gear in it Think I'd wrap the joints in tape though so it wouldn't come undone unless I really wanted it to, maybe making a point to use separate wrappings of tape on each joint that I might want to use because then it's just unwrapping the segment I actively need and then using the thing, or if you're in a hurry, cutting or ripping the tape away

[@markmcriley2558]

Even though the whistle doesn't appear to work, when you blow into it, it definitely perks up your terrier and gets his attention. Maybe blow with less pressure?

[@scottmcintosh2988]

Gerber makes a great fire steel

[@deegenna8310]

Geat videos....keep up the good work..... Ref - "survival shovels" these seem to be gaining momentum and popularity..... I've started to make my own....broken spades, as cheap as chips at boot-fairs and FB marketplace........ With the on-going paranoia regarding carrying fixed blades and axes in the outdoors all i carry now is my SAK, a silky saw and a home-made "tachtical" (I'm not keen on that term) shovel..... Splits logs, de-barks wood and even digs holes.... Best wishes D

[@eyeofthetiger4184]

G'day Mike, totally fair appraisal there mate. I do think its better than noth'n and there's a LOT worse out there. Gotta be said though making your own kit will always turn out FAR superior. Btw; I reckon a mini mattock/pick is a very underrated tool for camping or survival and better than mil type entrenching tools IMO, though of course you sacrifice, fold up, flat pack. Cheers Duke. P.S. perfectly cooked snags and heat bottled sauce, one tends to just chuck it on cold ....... but why not in the same way as gravy, ......... why didnt I think of that ; )

[@johngoodin3445]

Could you use the knife section as your fire steel striker? Did you ever locate a striker in the first place? One thing about the shovel head. You might be able to use the slot in the head to tighten up or loosen bolts. All you really need is to grip two sides of a bolt.

[@95bravo101st]

Always great content.

[@PeterBren]

Well it seems expensive, but I would use a plastic garden trowel to dig with, cheap and light. Plus I can dig with a mess tin. The compass will not turn unless it is held horizontally.

[@darrinrebagliati5365]

The bottle opener became popular as twist off caps became the norm.

[@Tscharlieh]

Twist off caps are only the norm in US, not in Europe.

[@darrinrebagliati5365]

@@Tscharlieh I'm not in the US. But I am in North America. And didn't know that. I haven't needed a bottle opener for years tho because I don't drink. Just found it funny thaf everything comes with a bottle opener lately, even most bottles.

[@stevemorris3710]

@@Tscharlieh Correct, and even in the US, decent beer still has the proper pry-off cap, they seal better.

[@stevestogsdill5791]

It's not an ice pick. It's a very robust spork!

[@scottrok13]

Hold metal edge and pull fire rod TOWARD you (but with no grip on the rod, that may also be tough).🔥

[@trevinosoutdoors7239]

Put grease on the threads and it will allow you to tighten better and it will come of easier. 🙂

[@AlfieJack123]

Mike it would be brilliant to see you put together your own, £20/£50/£100 kits.

[@scottmurray8679]

Yes Enjoy your Unbiased Review of The So Called Survival Kits There is so much B.S from The Makers Just Be Honest and True That is All We Ask !

[@zay-lias]

At the end of these kit videos you should give us an X/10 if it’s worth it and what you should bring with them

[@tomconway8881]

Another good video. Thanks.

[@NGMonocrom]

I'll take my Glock E-tool, or a Gerber Spade based off of the U.S. military AMES Entrenching tool.

[@PedroMigBraga]

thank you for the video!