OK, give this a chance before you dog me out about this. I write about a lot of expensive tactical and outdoor kit, but I am always on the lookout for simple, inexpensive tools that will do the job.

FOR a 4x4 off-roader, heading out without a shovel is practically unthinkable. When a tyre gets stuck in a rut, a bit of digging is often the simplest way to free it – just remove enough earth to ...

The first known shovels were made from the shoulder blades of animals. The technology is better now, with blades designed for specific tasks. The Earth Talon has an odd-looking, asymmetrical blade ...