Shovel M1874

The Boker Plus Shovel M1874 revives one of the most capable and time-tested outdoor tools ever issued. Long before modern folding spades, the original German field spade of 1874 served as an all-purpose companion in the wilderness-splitting firewood, clearing brush, cutting small trees, moving campfires, digging, prying, paddling, and more. Our updated version stays true to this proven design while subtly refining it for today’s bushcrafters and outdoor professionals.
Built with absolute robustness in mind, the M1874 features the traditional two-piece blade and spring construction, joined by five heavy studs and reinforced with a 40 mm steel ferrule that secures the virtually unbreakable ash handle halfway along its length. This complex method mirrors the heritage manufacturing process and delivers unmatched stability-one of the reasons the original design remained in service well into both world wars.
Like the historical model, the blade edges come pre-sharpened but not fully sharpened. This allows effective digging, splitting, and delimbing right out of the box, while giving users the option to hand-finish the edges for machete- or knife-like cutting performance. For the blade and spring, we selected a tough stainless steel also used in turbine blades and surgical instruments, ensuring high resistance to impact and easy field sharpening.
To handle modern demands, the M1874 includes a rugged, rot-proof nylon sheath with dual belt loops and a rigid insert-maintenance-free and far more weather-resistant than leather.
A faithful classic with contemporary durability, the Boker Plus Shovel M1874 is an essential tool for bushcraft enthusiasts, off-road adventurers, reenactors, and collectors of military equipment.