Monday, January 17, 2011

Praxis: The Swiss Army Knife of Folding Shovels -- Chinese Military Shovel WJQ-308. I gotta get me a couple hundred of these!



Anybody know of an American wholesaler or retailer for these?

Product name: Multifunctional shovel
Model: WJQ-308
Weight: max 0.85kg
Hardness (working part): HRC47-51
Length (mm): folding length: 400mm
Unfolding length: 590mm

Product Introduction:

1. Invented, designed and manufactured by army man. Combine 18 functions which makes a real miracle.

2. Combine the functions of digging, sawing, chopping, cutting, picking, prying, hammering and measuring perfectly.

3. More functions, less weight. Save your strength and time which reflects humanity.

4. Fine materials and good craft, further more, 268 process procedures and 48 inspections, make a perfect quality.

5. This product is widely used for single soldier, auto equipment, driving and camping.

6. Accompanied portable bag, which makes it portable to carry.

33 comments:

MadDawg308 said...

Man, if that product description doesn't sound like every other poor Chinese-translation text I've ever seen...

Neat shovel though....

Link said...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Original-Chinese-army-Multifunctional-Military-Shovel-/320624448160?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aa6b4d2a0

Brock Townsend said...

Original Chinese army Multifunctional Military Shovel
http://www.ecrater.com/p/10185619/original-chinese-army-multifunctional-military

Anonymous said...

http://www.google.com/search?q=Chinese+Military+Shovel+WJQ-308&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#q=Chinese+Military+Shovel+WJQ-308&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbo=u&tbs=shop:1&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wf&biw=1280&bih=810&fp=fd0f73886609171d

Anonymous said...

They are on Ebay but not at cheap prices thanks to excessively high shipping rates.

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=chinese+military+shovel&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Crustyrusty said...

I wanna know why WE aren't making stuff like this anymore...

Wait...

#*^&@%

Wraith said...

"Watch it chop down this tree, then make perfect potato chips!! You wouldn't try that with an ordinary Ginsu!"

The bottle opener put me over the top. I want a case of these things immediately.

Anonymous said...

This looks exactly like a Spetsnaz issue spade except it folds. Folding shovel = one more thing to break. One could probably find surplus Spetsnaz shovels.

Anonymous said...

They do look nice. The Chineese are capable of quality when they want to be.

But @ 90 bucks plus 30 shipping???

Nah, they're not that neat.

An alternate (cheaper) source would be nice...

No worries though, when the US defaults on its debts, there will be plenty of chances for battlefield pick-ups.

;-)

j said...

I guess I'm always the party=pooper but to get an unbiased viewpoint, Mike, ask your son -
would he rather pack this thing, OR a standard E-Tool and an SOG multi tool? Almost every guy I've had contact with in Douchebagistan has said that next to his combat blade, his multi-tool is his more prized piece of small hardware, and those with a preference have leaned very strongly toward the SOG version. I guess because of the gear drive.

I DO admit it is funny to watch the Kung-Shovel window defense and H2H combat exercise. I think I would either go for a simply pistol for that or, if in a gun-free tyranny, maybe one of those 'Dead On' wrecking bar / hammers.

Anonymous said...

See if Ronco can sell these as a kitchen tool on late night TV. $9.99 with free shipping if you call right now.

0321

Anonymous said...

The video reminds me of the old SNL "Bass-O-Matic" skit... :)

Anonymous said...

First item noticed was the use of the theme song from "The Sons of Katie Elder".

Secondly our military can't invent and manufacture such innovative tools because the top brass is too concerned about "diversity" and "gay rights" to bother with anything like this.

Doug
Newark, Ohio

Anonymous said...

Didn't RonCo used to make these?

It slices, It dices, hammers nails, cuts wire and burps the baby!

Like the grappling option.

JR said...

They had me at bottle opener....

Anonymous said...

Save your strength and time which reflects humanity.

Am I the only one to have a sudden urge to have that laser-engraved on my AR?

thedweeze said...

1. The very high pricing will cause tears when put to using.

2. The shipping is additionally extra.

3. Sorry, we are not accepting exceptionally fat American mothers-in-law for the trading exchange.

4. Like our fine food, you will want to digging another hole an hour subsequently later.

On eBay at least, there are three different models, all ridiculously priced. I think they're PO'd that they sold us all those SKSs so cheaply.

Ron Popeil said...

"It slices, it dices, it makes julian fries!"

Anonymous said...

Very similar to the current US Army standard-issue shovel, the all metal that folds in two places.
But some of those extra functions, like the wire cutter & the claw hammer, almost make it worth the price of admission.

B Woodman
III-per

wv: munse - Indiana?

wirecutter said...

Wal-mart will have the lead-tainted version in a year or so.

JR said...

http://www.ioffer.com/i/China-army-PLA-Military-Shovel-Emergency-Tools-WJQ-308-173587041

oldsmobile98 said...

I'm thinking about getting a Bundeswehr tri-fold shovel.

Anonymous said...

Time for a little reverse engineering and testing to make a NATO version. The wheel where the shovel head meets the handle (make it a synthetic) is the neat gadget.

Gunner

Anonymous said...

Woodman,
What do you mean like our current issue e-tool? That POS tri-fold junk won't hold a candle to this Chinese tool, or our old Vietnam issue e-tool. The Swiss folder is exquisite too. But making a comparison to the newer tri-fold, you're kidding, right?

0321

Ace said...

Looks cool, but I can't imagine those blades will keep an edge long if you ever use the tool for digging. I think I'd rather carry a good knife, a multi-tool and a separate shovel.

Mark Matis said...

For Ace:
You just have to resharpen it on the bones of the Bad Guys.

Anonymous said...

Nope,
Theme song is from "The Magnificent Seven"

Anonymous said...

The tool works great...but the actual Chinese guys weilding the tool seems to work even better. The Chinese guys are alot cheaper too! I'm thinking of picking up 5 - 10 of them. (Chinese guys) They work great for digging in, building sand bag emplacements, cooking up some grub, etc...

dustydog said...

They should print something helpful on the flat of the blade (or porn).

If stronger material was used for the handle, they could hollow it out and add nifty stuff inside.

Loren said...

The wheel is the nifty part, as stated. I like my German one, which has the actual pick on it. I'll bet I can use it for everything there except the little stuff, which a milti-tool would be better for. Only the wire cutting and the hammer and nail puller make it better.

Screw the tri-folds. I want a solid wooden handle that is longer and sturdier. You already have one fold joint, why bother with another one to worry about?

Jeff said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MM8dbWZ8Xw&feature=player_embedded

Dr. Richard said...

I purchased one of these from seller Freshtea on Bonanza

http://www.bonanza.com/booths/freshtea/items/Chinese_army_Multifunctional_Military_Shovel_WJQ_308

The shovel showed up yesterday delivered via Fedex Ground by way of a third-party international shipping agency in New York. The product is as described. Quality is decent to better than average but I have not used it in the field yet. The manual is in Chinese with several illustrations - fortunately this is not something that needs a lot of instruction or training. This was pricy at $116 total including international shipping. Someone needs to order a containerload and distribute them at a lower price in the U.S.

My first impression is positive. This is utilitarian but has a lot of useful functions that will get the desired job done. I would prefer to have a good axe and a good Kukri or machete but it is better than my Cold Steel shovel. Space and weight are reasonable - not too heavy or bulky. The holder is in the Chinese "Woodland" camoflauge and is compatible with Alice clips or Molle systems.

My one suggestion for improvement would be to wrap 50+ ft of paracord around the handle to provide a better grip and to provide cordage for the grappling hook feature. The handle is the weakest part and the part most likely to break. However, it looks like it would be relatively easy to replace.

Dr. Richard

visionman said...

Here is a better one MADE IN THE USA
Check it out: http://www.survivaloutdoorgear.com/product_info.php?products_id=54176372