I don't care how long of a sword, knife, axe, or mace all y'all choose, but in wide open no-man's land, where there's no cover at all - if you don't have a means of quickly digging your OWN cover, you're going to be a dead man right quick.
Without Cover in an open area or trench warfare, you're a dead man.
Can you use a sword to get cover? Nope.
Can you use a knife to get cover? Nope.
Can you use an axe to get cover? Nope, Arguably Concealment, but Cover is a stretch - especially in a wide open area with no trees.
Can you use a mace to get cover? Nope.
Can you use an Etool/Shovel to get cover? Yes.
Can you use an Etool/Shovel to chop concealment? Yes.
Can you use an Etool/Shovel to chop off somebody's limb? Yes.
Can you use an Etool/Shovel to bash a man's skull in? Yes.
Can you use an Etool/Shovel as a throwing weapon? Yes.
Can you use an Etool/Shovel to make a shelter? Yes.