If you value a compact and multifunctional tool, a folding spade is a good choice. You can find out what makes this versatile device stand out, which variants are available and what you should pay attention to when buying it in our comprehensive guide.

Folding spades can often be folded up very small

Table of Contents

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  1. Types of folding spades
  2. Other purchase criteria
  3. Which brands are trustworthy?
  4. How do I maintain a folding spade?
  5. What accessories are there?
  6. frequently asked Questions

    7. Types of folding spades

    There are roughly three types of folding spade: (€8.99)

    • classic folding spade
    • Military folding spade
    • multifunctional folding spade

    We briefly describe the variants with their specific advantages and disadvantages.

    Classic folding spade on test

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    We call a classic folding spade a device that is only intended as a spade for garden work - i.e. a mini spade that is primarily recommended for hobby gardeners who have little storage space (have no or a very small tool shed).

    Such a "classic folding spade" usually does not offer any additional functions (sometimes an integrated saw).

    It is advantageous that the manufacturers of these models can fully concentrate on high processing quality. This often makes the designs related to use as a spade of higher quality (of course only if it is a trustworthy producer).

    The advantages and disadvantages at a glance:

    benefits
    • Spade quality often very good
    disadvantage
    • No (hardly any) additional functions

    Military folding spade tested

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    Military folding spades are designed based on the models for the Wehrmacht. They impress with a sharp spade blade, very high stability and practical transportability thanks to an extra compact size and a particularly light weight.

    Furthermore, military folding spades are usually designed in typical camouflage colors (olive green or mud brown).

    The advantages and disadvantages at a glance:

    benefits
    • Sharp Spade Blade (high-function)
    • Stable
    • Compact
    • Lightweight
    disadvantage
    • No (hardly any) additional functions
    • Risk of injury from sharp blade

    Multifunctional folding spade on test

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    With a multifunctional folding spade, you are purchasing an all-rounder that has several additional components and can therefore be used in a variety of ways, for example as a spade, hoe, saw and knife.

    You can find out exactly which functions are possible in the chapter on purchase criteria (under "Functional range").

    The advantages and disadvantages at a glance:

    benefits
    • Versatile
    disadvantage
    • Sometimes poor quality of the individual components
    • higher weight
    • Often more expensive than other folding spades

    Other purchase criteria

    When buying a folding spade, you should consider the following criteria to find the best version for your needs:

    • area of application
    • range of functions
    • material
    • spade shape
    • Handle
    • size
    • Weight
    • folding mechanism
    • stability
    • quality
    • scope of delivery

    area of application

    Which folding spade is the right one for you depends primarily on what you want to use it for. If it is only used for digging in the garden, a simple folding spade without additional functions is absolutely sufficient. On the other hand, those who want to use this tool for camping holidays or for the car must pay attention to extras. For example, the folding spade for drivers should be able to be converted into a hoe, while camping holidaymakers benefit from having a compass, a saw for cutting wood and a flint for making a fire installed on their folding spade.

    In short: Depending on the application, a different type of folding spade is ideally suited (or required).

    range of functions

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    As already mentioned several times, many of the available folding spades have practical additional functions. Here is an overview of potential extras:

    • saw
    • knife
    • Axe
    • Wire cutter
    • bottle opener
    • parachute line
    • fire starter
    • hoe
    • hammer
    • unit of measure
    • whistle
    • compass
    • file
    • glass breaker
    • pimple

    Ask and answer the question: besides the basic spade function, what do I really need? Write a list and compare the different folding spades for the presence of the noted special features. In this way, you can determine the most suitable model for your needs relatively quickly.

    tips

    A multitude of functions is fine, but with such a multifunctional design, it is important to ensure that the quality does not suffer. When in doubt, it is best to follow the motto: "It's better to have less on it, but more behind it."

    material

    The most important purchase criteria include the materials from which the handle and blade are made.

    material of the handle

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    Let's start with the handle. Visually hui, functionally (mostly) ugh - it's better not to choose a model with a handle made of wood. This recommendation applies in particular if the folding spade is not (only) intended as a garden tool, but should be helpful for wild outdoor adventures (other and heavier loads). Wooden handles are often simply not strong enough to withstand harder use (in the long term).

    tips

    Nowadays, wooden handles can almost only be found on cheaper folding spades. This fact makes it clear that wooden handles here have more decorative than really functional sense.

    An overview of qualitatively convincing materials for the handle:

    • plastic
    • Plastic with metal reinforcement
    • aluminum
    • steel

    Note: Handles made of plastic with or without metal reinforcement and aluminum impress with their lightness and robustness at the same time. Rarely are the handles made of steel like the blade. With such designs you always have to reckon with a higher weight.

    material of the leaf

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    The blade of a folding spade should be made of metal or steel, such as classic steel, carbon steel or hardened boron steel. All these materials are stable, robust and almost indestructible.

    When choosing the blade material, we advise you to pay attention to robustness and stability as well as resistance to external influences (corrosion resistance). Then you can assume that you are purchasing a high-quality and durable folding spade.

    leaf shape

    The spade blade is either designed to be relatively rectangular or tends to taper to a point. Some manufacturers try to combine both forms so that their folding spades are suitable for different uses.

    Rectangular blade with a straight or slightly curved cutting edge: ideal for working soils with a similar organic structure and only a few stones

    Pointed blade (often with a sharpened cutting edge): ideal for cultivating compacted and/or stony soils

    More or less pointed, with a rounded end: suitable for both types of soil (but not really "specialized" for either)

    So think about what kind of soil you want to work with your folding spade to find out which blade shape is perfect for you.

    handle shape

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    Essentially, there are three possible handle shapes for folding spades:

    • diverging triangular or D-shaped (can be hung up)
    • T-handle on a straight handle
    • folding handle to the side

    Practice shows that all handle versions can be held comfortably in the hand. It's ultimately a matter of taste. Try it out at your trusted DIY store or after ordering different folding spades to see which version suits you best.

    size

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    As far as size is concerned, there are two aspects to consider: the folded dimensions (“transport and storage dimensions”) and the unfolded dimensions (“application dimensions”).

    The smaller the size when folded, the more space-saving the folding spade can be transported and stored. Comparing the models on the market shows that the size differences are usually not worth mentioning. When folded, folding spades are usually between 18 and 25 centimeters in length. Unfolded, it is about 45 to 60 centimeters. Width and depth average around ten and five centimeters respectively.

    Our recommendation: People who are taller than average should make sure to buy a folding spade that is as long as possible when extended. In the case of smaller and average-sized people, the exact size is of little(er) importance.

    Weight

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    If you only want to use the folding spade as a garden tool, the weight is not a decisive criterion. However, if you plan to take the device with you on hikes and/or camping trips, you should ensure that your chosen model is as lightweight as possible.

    The weight always depends on the materials of the handle and the spade blade. A version with a plastic and/or aluminum handle and carbon steel blade is pleasantly light. In contrast, steel handles and blades made of classic steel or boron steel are generally associated with a higher weight.

    tips

    Hardly any folding spade weighs more than a kilogram. Therefore, each model is ultimately quite light. But especially (on foot) on the go, a few hundred grams can make a noticeable difference.

    folding mechanism

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    It is always important that the chosen folding spade has a simple and stable folding mechanism. Most versions have hinges at the transition from the handle to the spade blade, on which they can be folded in easily - without any effort. Unfolding works on the same principle. In order to fix the handle securely, you usually only have to tighten one screw (and loosen it again if you want to fold the folding spade in).

    In short, this means: Read the manufacturer's descriptions and reviews from other customers thoroughly to determine whether the hinges and screws are of high quality and whether the folding mechanism is easy to use.

    stability

    Whatever you plan to do with the folding spade, it must be stable. Whether directly in use or only when folding and unfolding: The components of the tool should always be robust and durable. This requires excellent materials AND good processing of the same. In order to analyze the criterion of stability, only your own test and/or reading customer reviews will help.

    quality

    If a folding spade meets all the criteria that we have described to you as essential, you can actually assume that it is of convincing quality. Be meticulous in your comparisons, picking out all the details. This is the only way to find out about so-called quick & dirty productions (quickly produced models with "hidden" defects, greed for profit on the part of the respective manufacturer).

    • What material are the screws made of (ideally: galvanized or stainless steel screws)? Is that in the manufacturer's description?
    • What does the manufacturer's description actually say? All the important facts or pretty pointless blahblah without real added value?

    These questions will help you to distinguish high-quality folding spades from inferior ones (also applies to other products…).

    scope of delivery

    A large scope of delivery is of course preferable - but only if the utensils included are really useful. Make sure the folding spade comes with a matching storage bag. This not only makes transport and storage easier for you, but also protects other objects in the vicinity from dirt and damage (sharp edges of the spade blade could possibly cause scratches). Which other extras should be included in the scope of delivery of the folding spade depends on your individual needs (see point "Functional range").

    Which brands are trustworthy?

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    • Acxeon
    • ASMC
    • CON:P
    • Donges
    • Elcate
    • Fiskars
    • fobachi
    • cont
    • tanner
    • Herbertz
    • NVA
    • road
    • Semptec
    • timetop
    • Uvistar
    • Xclou
    • YOUNGDO

    Folding spades are available in hardware stores, garden centers and camping stores. Folding spades are sometimes also available in a wide range of supermarkets. As so often, the largest selection of models awaits you on the Internet. You will find what you are looking for at popular online providers such as amazon.de or ebay.de - regardless of what your new folding spade should be able to do.

    How do I maintain a folding spade?

    Never keep your folding spade in a damp environment, but keep it dry and protected. Otherwise there is a risk of rusting (metal, steel).

    Thoroughly clean the spade after each use. Warm water and some washing-up liquid are usually sufficient. Use either a sponge or cloth to clean. You can also remove coarse dirt with a brush.

    Important: Always put your folding spade in its storage bag only when it is clean and dry.

    From time to time you should treat the folding spade with tool care oil so that it remains supple, functional and practical.

    What accessories are there?

    A storage bag and care oil are essential accessories. However, the bag in particular should already be included in the scope of delivery AND be made of robust materials.

    frequently asked Questions

    What is a folding spade?

    The folding spade is the compact version of the spade. As the name suggests, it folds up for easy transport and storage. This characteristic makes the folding spade the ideal tool for on the go and for gardeners who have little space in their tool shed.

    A folding spade essentially consists of a handle element and a blade. The latter is commonly made from tool steel and forged into a first rounded and then pointed shape. The available models differ mainly in the handle design, the exact material, the size and the quality.

    How did the folding spade develop?

    First, the conventional spade was developed from the classic shovel - with the aim of being able to loosen and work soil more easily and quickly. The spade itself soon experienced its own further developments, including the folding spade. This should be as space-saving as possible and easy to transport. The folding spade fulfills exactly these characteristics. Despite the practical advantages "on the edge", the device also knows how to convince functionally - provided it is a high-quality model.

    Folding spades are mainly used for camping these days

    The folding spade had its first major use in the Wehrmacht (from 1938). It was used to dig trenches. Like many other military paraphernalia, the folding spade soon found its way into civil society. Enthusiastic camping holidaymakers, hobby gardeners and car owners are now the main target groups for the tool. In some cases, the folding spade does not "just" function as a spade, but presents itself as a multifunctional device that can be used for a wide variety of tasks.

    What is a folding spade for?

    A folding spade is mainly used to loosen and loosen solid soil. Gardeners use it, for example, to dig up soil in hard soil and to dig up beds. Car owners reach for the folding spade when the tires of their car are stuck in frozen snow (ice) or in mud holes. It can also happen to camping holidaymakers to get stuck somewhere with their wheels. In addition, the folding spade is helpful when it comes to setting up the tent (pegs firmly anchored in the ground).

    By the way: Anyone who thinks “I can just use my conventional shovel to dig in the ground.” is wrong. In most cases, shovels are only suitable for picking up and moving already loosened (!) soil. On the other hand, to loosen solid soil, you definitely need a spade.

    Depending on how the folding spade is constructed, you may even be able to use it to saw small pieces of wood (e.g. to cut firewood when camping). For this purpose, the folding spade must have small saw teeth on its blade.

    What is the difference between a folding spade and a normal spade?

    A folding spade is less stable than a "real" spade and is therefore mainly used when travelling

    The folding spade is usually not quite as powerful as the normal spade - with the latter you can also pierce roots if necessary to loosen the hard soil. However, it does have some practical advantages.

    While a conventional spade has a long handle and is therefore bulky and space-consuming, a folding spade can be reduced to a compact format and stored in a space-saving manner (folds in on one or more hinges).

    Furthermore, a folding spade usually weighs no more than about a kilogram. This means that it is usually significantly lighter than a classic spade. This in turn ensures very good portability.

    Note: With a folding spade, the entire handle can be folded down or folded down.

    Loosening the soil with a folding spade takes a little longer than with a normal spade. It is also likely that the "mini spade" will capitulate to very strong roots and other solid structures in the ground. These are the disadvantages.

    But: In contrast to conventional spades, folding spades often have additional tools integrated into the handle and/or spade blade, which makes the device a real all-rounder.

    How do I use a folding spade correctly?

    In principle, you only need to unfold and lock the handle of the folding spade. Then you can start directly with your planned work. When the work is done, clean the folding spade (if necessary) and fold the handle back in to store the tool in a space-saving manner.

    Who benefits from a folding spade?

    The following three groups in particular benefit from a folding spade:

    • Hobby gardeners with little space in the tool shed
    • motorist
    • campers

    How much does a folding spade cost?

    Inexpensive models are available from around seven to ten euros. The best folding spades cost around 30 to 60 euros. This area also includes those folding spades that are manufactured according to the technical delivery conditions of the German Armed Forces.

    tips

    Every now and then you might come across folding spades that would cost you 100 euros or more. We advise you to ignore these offers. In our opinion, a folding spade cannot be so much higher quality or more comprehensive that it costs twice as much as an excellently manufactured branded model.

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