Annihilate F-A3 Survival Shovel

Annihilate F-A3 Survival Shovel Product Review

Designed for to be taken on a camping trip, employed as a versatile emergency instrument, or even be given a military use, the Annihilate F-A3 Survival Shovel is a high-end, foldable shovel that performs multiple tactical functions.

Weighting at 3.97 lbs. and measuring a total of 33.4 inches in length when fully assembled, the shovel is relatively heavy for its size, but that’s not necessarily a disadvantage, since this very quality is the same attribute that grants the tool its hardness and strength.

The Annihilate F-A3 is an admirable exhibit of what can be accomplished by employing foundry technology.  Made of martensitic stainless steel by 100% molding and casting, this survival shovel consists of six individual pieces, which include an 8.07 x 5.9 inches shovel head, multiple long rods for assembly, and an extra extension tube.

Patented in order to achieve an adjusted angle (0 to 150), the shovel head presents a seven shift, one click, one button design, located on the 10 mm thick joint, which serves to set the aforementioned needed angle in place.  Thanks to its sturdy material and three-dimensional, precision casting, the shovel head can easily bear more than 1000 lbs., equivalent to the weight of five adults.

This survival shovel can be used to clear a campsite, easily dig a fire pit, be turned into a hoe for vehicle rescue, and cut, saw, break, and hammer all kinds of surfaces.  It won’t fell a tree as efficiently or quickly as an actual axe would, but it would eventually get the job done.  The F-A3 does competently snap firewood, though; cooking over an open fire and spending a comfortable night outdoors won’t be difficult tasks with this tool in hand.

The quality of a 23- in-one multi-functional tool depends on the capability of its handle.  The second piece in the assembly package is an all-purpose knife that easily attaches to the first piece.  We wouldn’t classify the knife as dull, but it wasn’t exactly sharp either.  After contacting the Zune Lotoo customer service, they were able to explain that, due to certain policies and restrictions, they can’t ship this product with a ready-to-use knife, therefore the buyer has to sharpen it themselves.  This package, unfortunately, does not include a knife sharpener; it isn’t a dealbreaker, just something for the user to keep in my mind before trying to use this accessory in the wild.

Moving on to the middle of the handle, we see that one of the rods permits the insertion of a fish hook.  This fish hook also serves as a harpoon and a convenient bottle opener.  At the tail, the final pieces include an accessible survival whistle, a convenient ferro fire stick, and a detachable camera holder.  As an option, one can also attach the extra extension tube meant to elongate the handle.

The product also comes with an anti-skid sleeves that cover only the first and last piece of the handle, which makes sense if one is using the F-A3 mainly for shoveling.  Regrettably, this product was tested in extremely low temperatures during wintertime, and our hands were pretty cold even with gloves on, which made the shovel a bit uncomfortable to operate while chopping and cutting.  Our suggestion to the manufacturer is that they implement rubberized grip all over the handle, and for our readers to invest in a good pair of survival gloves, given that this certainly isn’t the only shovel that will turn into an icy stick in below zero temperatures.

Although the Annihilate F-A3 is an excellent choice for camping or a survival mission, we don’t recommend it for backpacking due to its weight.  As it’s expected with most multifunctional tools, a robust and well-made shovel is always welcome, however, we don’t think it might be the most comfortable gear to carry around while hiking, since there are more lightweight and portable options in the market.

Besides the shovel components, the package also includes a saw chain, a multi-utility cord, and a military pouch that accommodates the aforementioned elements plus the disassembled F-A3 parts.  While this is appreciated, we feel that Zune Lotoo could have thrown in a protective case for the assembled shovel as part of this bundle, especially considering the price of this product.  We do, however, acknowledge that the manufacturer provides exceptional customer service and lifetime warranty to their buyers.

As warned in previous reviews, we feel compelled to remind our readers that unscrupulous individuals have and are using the Zune Lotoo brand to advertise cheap, knockoff products.  We bought our Annihilate F-A3 from a reputable website and recommend you do too.

Overall, the Annihilate F-A3 earns high marks for its top quality and solid construction, and we don’t doubt that whoever is willing to maximize the use of all its features will be a very happy camper, no pun intended.