>>532570>>532552Just to be clear, a shovel is never going to replace an axe. If what you're doing requires an axe, it's just not going to do it. However, if you already have it, it's a useful tool to do some light work (falling medium-sized branches up to about htree or four fingers wide, etc.) If you're just going to use your shovel from time to time to dig a shitting hole, it's not worth the weight to take it thinking you'll have both tools and you're probably better off with just an axe.
>>532578Read up on WWI trench warfare. Dudes would leave their lenghty, impractical bayonets and engage in cqc with their entrenching tool. Sharpened shovel blows to the skull aren't fun. (Pic is wwii but you get the idea.)
www.bloodyelbow.com/2012/11/12/3614692/the-martial-chronicles-in-the-trenches 