It is a necessary vanagon tool to have for sure.

I have one like your E. German one , exactly like it. I think it was
made in Czechoslovakia ( aka The Czech Republic ) .
I bought it in Oregon in about 1975.  It cost me $ 12.

I still have it and it works perfectly.
If you use one enough often they'll crack near the rivets in the blade.
Mine is welded there.
I prefer the threaded colar system to lock the handle angle.

38 years use for 12 dollars, I think I'm getting good value out of this
handy nicely made small shove.
The original varnish on the handle is even in good condition still.

gotta have one............ for camping, trips to the bushes, getting
unstuck etc.  in your Vanagon .

On 11/28/2013 8:04 PM, Alistair Bell wrote:
> (You all must have one I�m sure. Maybe you have the modern US army type - you know, with the triangular handle.)
>
> to celebrate the return of the prodigal shovel, I took some picks comparing it with it�s E. German relation.
>
> http://shufti.wordpress.com/2013/11/28/trenching-tools-east-meets-west/
>
> alistair