Cold Steel Spetznaz Shovel

[Sapper771]

I bought one of these shovels for $20 about two years ago. I know that Cold Steel makes some good products.....but this shovel is a tool that every man should have. I used it 2 months ago to clear a fence row in my back yard and it went where a machete could not go. After I was done, it took 5 minutes on a alum. oxide stone to get it back to the factory edge (which was sharper than I thought). Today, I was engaged in battle with some "non-compliant" shrubs in my yard. I mis-judged these shrubs.....they had a pretty serious root system under ground. Well after digging and prying on them for about 20 minutes, and almost snapping the handle on my long handled shovel, I got the spetznaz shovel out of my truck. The spetznaz shovel has all edges of the blade sharpened and is a wicked close combat weapon (Thanks to the U.S. Army!) I hacked at the root system , slowly hacking large pieces off of the base of the shrub. I guess i had an epiphany.....i stuck the shovel into the base of the root, then I took my long handled shovel and used it as a hammer and hammered the spetznaz shovel into the root system at an angle. The spetznaz shovel cut through the root system like it was nothing.

I just wanted to make a recommendation. If your looking for a good camp shovel that will out work a machete if needed......look no further.

 

[Piedmont Plinker]

Thanks for the recommendation. Although there ads are a bit gimmicky, this looks like one of the more useful tools Lynn makes.

 

[Timthinker]

Some years ago, I bought one of those shovels from CS and never regretted the purchase. The day it arrived, I threw the shovel at a large tree for target practice. I had heard that the shovel could be used as a throwing axe and I was curious to test this theory. The shovel stuck into the tree on the second throw. I was impressed.

Since then, I have placed it in my garage for utilitarian purposes, but I have no doubt it could double as a self-defense weapon if the need should arise. I close with a true story that might interest those who consider a spade an improvised weapon. During the Korean War, an American soldier named Benjamin Wilson killed several enemy troops with his entrenching tool, an act that won him the Medal of Honor. That is something to think about.


Timthinker

 

[Sharpdogs]

I keep one in each car. One of the most useful tools I own. A few years ago I used one to help dig out my garden. I had to chop through a ton of roots. The shovel cut through them with little effort.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Got a link?

 

[ScottyT]

http://www.coldsteel.com/92sfs.html

 

[RLsnow]

Very interesting

 

[alaskanativeson]

I don't remember how long ago it was that I saw Cold Steel come out with these but it seems like it was at least 15-18 years ago. I bought one immediately becasue it reminded me so much of the Boy Scout shovel I bought when I was at the Boy Scout Camp Ben Delatour what seems like a lifetime ago. It turned out to be one of the most useful things I have ever bought. I have since purchased several others so I could have them in vehicles, 72 hour emergency kits, and several places around the house.

 

[slzy]

spetznaz manual had several illustrations of the shovel being used "agressivly".

 

[JShirley]

It's a useful tool, and perhaps the CS product I'd recommend most.

John

 

[Slamfire]

This shovel is one of the great ideas in human history. Right up with the big ones.

Like the SAK can opener.

Well, maybe that is all hyperbole.

But I have used mine with great success chopping roots, digging out flower beds, and removing grass chunks.

I have one in each vehicle, and if I get stuck, I can dig myself out. (Maybe)

After I am done digging, I wash off the mud, and spray paint it black. No rust seen for years.

 

[Nikdfish]

Just picked one up tonight myself from knivesplus.com ... 16.97 for the shovel + 7.97 for the sheath + 8.50 for shipping = good deal!

Nick

 

[sniper5]

Got the Special Forces Shovel and a Glock. The SFS seems to be a better jack of all trades tool, the Glock a better shovel. FWIW

 

[Dirty Bob]

I like them as well. Like John Shirley, I think I'd rate the shovel as Cold Steel's best product. Almost everyone I've ever heard from on the subject has been happy with their CS shovel.

I bought a Rubbermaid trash can and used the plastic for my shovel sheath. It's tough and works well for sheath material, especially for sheaths that will be exposed to temp extremes in a car trunk.

Regards,
Dirty Bob

 

[gb6491]

The CS shovel is pretty handy. You can also find these surplus Swiss field shovels on the internet in the $20-$29 (with cover).

They'll do all the things the Spetznaz shovel can and IMO, move dirt better when actually used as a shovel.
Regards,
Greg

 

[Eleven Mike]

I like mine, too. I wish the U.S. Military would jettison their goofy folding e-tools, and go with something more like the Spetsnaz shovel. Perhaps with a fiberglass handle?

Wouldn't the simpler product be lighter and sturdier?

 

[Dirty Bob]

Eleven Mike:
I've had the same thought, many times. It would be an improvement, both as a tool and as a weapon. Maybe that last part is why they haven't changed it. Ah, but I'm a former squid, so what do I know?

Regards,
Dirty Bob

 

[Colt46]

Check out WWI and II era shovels

Made from good steel and readily sharpenable. They also have handles that seem to be a little sturdier.

 

[Curiousity]

True.

 

[Tacticaldude]

For me, The best multipurpose shovel in the market..TactiCool too

 

[Dirty Bob]

One of the great things about the Cold Steel shovel is that it doesn't scream WEAPON like some objects do, yet it could serve as a very effective self-defense tool if needed.

Sharpen the edges to an "ax" edge, make or buy a sheath for it, and use it as a shovel! The ground-in dirt on the end of the handle (at the blade end), the nicks in the edge, and the scratches on the shovel will help you if you ever have to explain why you have it with you. With a CS shovel and a good hiking stick, you can be well-armed, yet go almost anywhere without frightening little old ladies off the hiking trails.

Regards,
Dirty Bob

 

[James T Thomas]

swiss army knives v. toolbox tools

War story; for your consideration.

My unit walked the jungles of SE Asia with the folding type that had a large threaded nut that turned down to fix the handle for digging.

We found out in a hurry that under fire you just could not dig fast enough.
So we went to our "Engineer Kit" that was kept back in the "rear" area.
In it were D-handled shovels; spades.

With those we could dig "foxholes" twice as quick, and the folding shovels were soon stored in the rear area and replaced.

You would be amazed just how fast men can burrow when motivated by gun fire or incoming mortar or rocket rounds!

Today, I carry an inexpensive D-handled shovel in the trunk of my car, and would not think of one of those difficult to use, folding things.

Should I need a sharp edge for swinging, I would buy an axe or hatchet.

I suppose a small folding shovel is not aggressive appearing, but neither is a D-handled shovel, nor an axe; to my sensitivities.