Who knew that with a history full of tomahawks, axes, spears, war-hammers, harpoons, karambits and other weaponry United Cutlery’s next step was to unveil a shovel? The M48 Kommando Survival Shovel is the latest – and possibly most unexpected – addition to the popular and highly sought after line of M48 survival/tactical tools and weapons from United Cutlery.

Like many of the pieces in the M48 line, the Kommando Survival Shovel has an ornate style to it – skull and lightning bolt emblem and all – looking almost like it belongs on display and not in use on the battlefield… but as we’ve learned in the past, the folks at United Cutlery know how to balance form and function and they do it exceedingly well.

Measuring 16.4 inches long from tip to tip, the M48 Kommando Survival Shovel might seem like it’s a little toyish at first, but once you…