>>923550I've got both a tri-fold, a Soviet, and have used a swede (pic related).
The Swede and the tri-fold NATO are both heavy due to metal handle (duh). They are also both prone to jamming of the mechanism due to sand getting in.
The swede has a considerably larger blade, and is thus good for digging, but the blade is at an angle, and thus you cannot straight put force into it for chopping.
The Soviet is light and versatile. Sure, the handle is long-ish, but it doesn't exceed the length or width of a pack - and thus no problem.
The NATO tri-fold packs compact, but that's about it. The triangular handle also hinders chopping.
I carry a Soviet and keep a tri-fold in the car.
>kek, its a shovel m8What are roots.