On the surface, a shovel may not make a distinct impression. However, it will be noticed when it fails in the field, and that’s not a good thing. A durable shovel can perform a vast number of tasks when camping, under survival conditions, or for emergency purposes. The Gerber Gear Dredge shovel takes durability and performance to a whole new level. From multi-position use to heavy-duty construction, a sure-grip handle, and foldability, I set out to test this shovel’s hearty specs in the rugged outdoors.
Heftier than Anticipated
Many times in the past, when using emergency or survival-style shovels, I was highly disappointed when I handled them for the first time. More often than not, they were more novelty than high performers. Their composition was flimsy, and the metal body itself was unconvincing.
The Dredge, thankfully, was not in this group. This shovel is a true brute; hefty, solid, and it took a bit of muscle to pull it out of the box. The Dredge is a beast, without a doubt, and this catapulted my anticipation to test it rigorously out in the field.
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Solidness and Construction
As mentioned above, this shovel had some significant heft to it (just under seven pounds). The weight is due to its heavy-gauge steel construction. The solid one-piece shovel head was flawless in its design. I noticed no weak points or thinness that may cause this shovel to fail under rigorous use. A powder coat finish protects the steel blade.
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Moving downward, the glass-filled nylon shaft was reinforced with a durable aluminum core. A glass-filled nylon handle with a rubber overmold grip allowed a solid, almost sticky-like grip, which is essential when using the shovel in adverse weather conditions. Though this shovel folds down and is for use on-the-go, its heavy-duty design mirrors many larger versions used for hardcore use.
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Examining Its Beneficial Features
The Dredge’s main feature is, without a doubt, its fold-down operation. Without this, carrying this on your pack or when trekking through dense brush would be highly cumbersome.
The shovel head bends—with the aid of a large, reinforced joint—inward towards the shaft, while the handle does the same on the opposite side. This reduced the overall length literally in half. One note here is that when folded, the Dredge becomes fairly thin, no more than three inches in overall thickness.
The hardware at the joints allows you to close the shovel with relative ease, all the while keeping the connections tight. A subtle feature is the mid-fold of the shovel head. By stopping halfway when folding the head, you can transform the shovel into a useful hoe.
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Getting Down and Dirty
It was time to get dirty and put the Dredge to hardcore use. Naturally, soil conditions vary throughout the country, but I tried my best to find loose, solid, and rock-filled soil to test the shovel’s performance.
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First off, the fact that this mid-sized shovel had a solid step plate was an absolute plus. I was able to drive my body weight into resistant soil. The large capacity head extracted large chunks of earth with little resistance and little effort on my part. Additionally, the thicker-than-average girth of the handle and shaft allowed me a solid grip.
The sandier soil, naturally, was easy to dig through. I next found an area of compacted dirt to really press this shovel’s durability. Although it took a bit more force, the Dredge’s joints or head weren’t compromised with the tougher test, and the soil was lifted and removed.
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Exploring its Secondary Feature
As discussed earlier, the Dredge’s shovel head can be positioned at a right angle to the shaft to convert it into a hoe. This could be used to create a trench for water runoff, planting seeds or crops, or clearing the ground before setting up your tent.
The key to success with this test was that the shaft-to-head joint had to withstand intense force during soil gouging. I swung the tip of the shovel head deep down into the earth and began to pull back. The joint held firm, and my trench began to take shape. I scraped the trench a few more times, and the job was done.
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No damage to the shovel’s joints or head was evident. Again, the thick handle and grippy handle helped with stability and control of the Dredge.
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Puts Other Compact Shovels to Shame
I would definitely classify this shovel as a survival or emergency tool. Although bigger than most others in this category, its size is its greatest asset. I’ve tested other shovels in the past, and many broke at the handle, had a bent head after only one use, or were too small to be effective.
The Dredge had none of these potential problems. You may sacrifice some space when storing this beast or endure a slightly cumbersome carry, but it’s well worth it with its exceptional results. With a price tag of $119.99, it may be slightly higher in price than other models. But unlike those, the Dredge will be with you for the long haul and offer you adventure after adventure of superb service.
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