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From police work to prepper gear: How a cop invented the ultimate survival shovel

By finnheartley // 2025-06-18

• Innovative Design by a Veteran: Former law enforcement officer Jason Harvey created the Krazy Beaver shovel after noticing a lack of durable tools for emergency scenarios, now trusted by Border Patrol and firefighters.
• Rugged and Modular Features: The shovel’s toothed blade cuts through roots and rocks, while its reinforced fiberglass handle, quick-release grip, and crimped steel collar ensure durability in extreme conditions.
• Versatile Real-World Use: Adopted by wildland firefighters, SWAT teams, and survivalists, it excels in debris clearing, vehicle recoveries, and emergencies like blizzards—proven in life-saving situations.
• Promoting Self-Reliance: Harvey emphasizes preparedness, aligning with Mike Adams’ advocacy for durable, U.S.-made tools amid supply-chain disruptions, offering a lifetime investment over flimsy alternatives.
• Available for Preparedness: Sold in multiple sizes/colors at HealthRangerStore.com, the Krazy Beaver embodies Harvey’s mission: reliable gear for crises, blending real-world experience with innovation.

Former law enforcement officer Jason Harvey designed the "Krazy Beaver" shovel for rugged durability—now trusted by Border Patrol, wildland firefighters, and off-grid survivalists. When Jason Harvey, a 23-year veteran of law enforcement and search-and-rescue operations, noticed a gap in reliable tools for emergency scenarios, he didn’t just complain—he engineered a solution. The result? The Krazy Beaver shovel, a rugged, modular tool built to withstand roots, rocks, and rescue missions. Now available at the Health Ranger Store, Harvey’s invention is gaining traction among preppers, firefighters, and overlanding enthusiasts.

From Patrol Car to Survival Tool

Harvey’s inspiration struck during his time with the Albuquerque Police Department’s Open Space Division, where he frequently recovered stolen vehicles or assisted stranded hikers in harsh terrain. “I kept needing a shovel that wouldn’t fail,” he told Mike Adams in a recent Brighteon.com interview. After spotting a flimsy Home Depot shovel strapped to an off-roader’s vehicle, Harvey realized the market lacked purpose-built survival shovels. The Krazy Beaver’s defining feature? Its toothed blade, designed to slice through roots and pry up rocks without deflecting. “When you hit a root, the teeth grip and sever it,” Harvey explained. Though initially intended for landscaping, the shovel found an unexpected fanbase: wildland firefighters, Border Patrol units, and SWAT teams, who praised its durability in debris clearing and vehicle recoveries.

Engineered for Extreme Conditions

Harvey’s design prioritizes modularity and resilience:

• Reinforced Fiberglass Handle: Hollow but fortified with a solid core at the stress-prone collar, where most shovels snap.
• Quick-Release D-Grip: Removable for storage or to drain water (critical for dive teams and winter expeditions).
• Crimped Steel Collar: Pressed under 240 tons of force to prevent handle spin or failure.
• Powder-Coated Steel Head: Resists abrasion but can be oil-dipped for rust prevention in humid climates.

The shovel’s versatility has made it a favorite among gold miners in New Zealand (who “slam it into rocks” to break them apart) and overlanders caught in sudden snowstorms. One customer credited the tool with saving his family when a blizzard trapped their truck—a scenario Harvey anticipated during his search-and-rescue days.

Survival Shovels and Societal Resilience

Beyond its utility, Harvey sees the Krazy Beaver as a lifesaving preparedness tool. “Most people don’t carry shovels until they’re in a crisis,” he noted. His mission aligns with Mike Adams’ advocacy for self-reliance amid supply-chain disruptions, especially as tariffs on imported goods drive up prices for flimsy alternatives. The shovels are 100% U.S.-made, from the steel to the fiberglass handles—a rarity in an era of offshore manufacturing. “You buy nice or buy twice,” Harvey quipped, emphasizing the tool’s lifetime durability.

Where to Get It

Available in multiple sizes (29.5" mini to 46" full-length) and colors at HealthRangerStore.com/beaver, the Krazy Beaver shovel exemplifies Harvey’s philosophy: “Prepare for the worst with gear that won’t quit.” As Adams concluded, “In a crisis, reliability isn’t optional.” For survivalists and first responders alike, Harvey’s invention proves that even the humblest tools can become lifelines. Final Note: Harvey’s journey from cop to inventor underscores a broader theme: innovation thrives where necessity meets real-world experience. Whether digging out a snowbound truck or cutting through wildfire debris, the Krazy Beaver is built for those who expect—and overcome—the unexpected. Watch the full episode of the "Health Ranger Report" with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and Jason Harvey as they talk about rugged tools, off-grid survival, and American-made gear. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

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