I’ve had, and used, my Spetznaz over 25 years. On my third handle now. I wouldn’t trade it for ten of those folding shovels. It’s one piece of kit that I never leave at home.
It's based on the WW1 Austrian and German field spade. If you read All's Quiet on the Western Front, this is the spade Katz told him to carry instead of his rifle when they went over the top.
I've had a GI entrenching tool that was issued to me in the eighties and it has served me well. I purchased the cold steel shovel and I like it much better! The only difference is that you can't fold the blade to make a seat but that's not what it was designed for! But for a military style shove the cold steel is far superior for it versatility and strength! ATB,Sam Adler from Vietnam
Excellent e-tool and all around bushcraft tool. I've had mine for 2 yrs now. They are very versatile which is always what you want in your items especially your tools, multiple uses. I love the way the forged steel sings. They are very sharp, so I recommend getting a cover for it or you'll end up cutting things in your pack or yourself. And in a pinch it's a very capable fighting tool that nobody initially would ever consider a weapon.
I love my cold steel shovel. I bought the the protective cover for it, stained the handle mahogany and I wrapped the handle is fire cord. This thing is also great for moving coals around.
That guy is from my state...love that dude...insanely well built shovel and for the price I'll be damned if you could find another tactical shovel that is this efficient in almost every task you do with it
The longer handled version would definitely dig better, but of course it's going to be harder to carry. This model is much easier to carry into the woods.. Although it can do some of the tasks that an axe can do, it in no way would replace an axe. It just isn't going to do axe stuff better than an axe. That being said, I own one and love it. For what it is, it's a very versatile tool that can do more than just dig a hole to take a dump in. I much prefer this over the competition.
I have the soviet army shovel (the name "spetznaz shovel" is for cold steel marketing) I have a Serbian coldwar shovel and the CS shovel. The Cold Steel is by far the best. The steel in the others is mild steel, the CS is tempered high carbon. I have chopped saplings to build shelters, it won't beat an axe or large knife in cutting but it does work. I did a trade once with IAWoodsman. Got a pilots survival gill net and traded him a Swede surplus svea stove- same as the Trangia stove. Great guy.
I've got an original Soviet infantry shovel produced during WW2 in 1944, steel thickness is 2 mm and it's tempered (in later years they reduced the thickness to 1.5 mm). Great little shovel, strong enough to take on hard frozen ground.
One thing I will say is it's a jack of all trades and master of none but still better than a master of one. I sanded mine down and put boiled linseed oil
I have the Cold Steel Special Forces Shovel and the Spetsnaz Trench Shovel, both are very well constructed from high quality materials and are outstandingly versatile tools. Very highly recommendable and built to last. I also have a genuine Russian military titanium shovel which I bought directly from Russia, and a Fiskars/Gerber NATO Folding Spade. All are excellent tools, I particularly wanted the NATO Folding Spade as it folded down into its own Cordura carry case and was well proven.
Thanks for sharing this. I completely agree that the CS shovel is true workhorse tool, very versatile, and holds value as a general camp tool that is WAY above it's miniscule price point. I do recommend working on the edge to improve chopping performance.
Love the video brother, absolutely fn amazing!!! I had an authentic soviet issued spetsnaz shovel...I LOVED IT!!! Now it was authentic, but I doubt it was actually issued due to the fact that it looked new, but it was an actual spetsnaz shovel. I ended up loosing it in one of the MANY moves I did...but man it was worth its weight in the most precious metals/stones. My brother told me about it and I was skeptical at 1st, but after I got it and used it a couple times I was like a kid in a candy store every time I got the chance to use it!!! Anyhow enough rambling, just wanted to say awesome video and even better tool!!! I look forward to the next video brother. Till then, stay safe my man!!!
I have the larger shovel, the trench model. It’s okay for digging and root removal, and skinning bark from branches. For chopping, get an axe, or a large Kubrick blade.
I have one and keep the Right side (when looking at the shovel, handle down) very sharp for finer wood processing and the Left side more of a convex edge for chopping. Great tool, and the nylon cordura sheath Cold Steel offers is functional. I plan to make my own out of leather with a couple pouches sewn in for a sharpening stone, fire kit, and small IFAK.
TACTICAL KNIVES was the GREATEST knife magazine EVER. I'm not sure if the mentioned website is the same people or if it was ever that url to begin with, but it brought up some fond memories.
I shortened my handle to make the shovel easier to pack along at a total of 17 inches long and to chop with. The wood handle length is 10 inches now and allows for one hand on the remaining wood prior to the rounded end and the other hand on the metal collar for two hand digging to make a shallow hole while on your knees. While my walking stick is pre drilled to allow the spade to attach to it, making it into a long handled shovel for a lot of digging. I dulled the non chopping edge in order to make the wood I am batoning with last longer, and to be able to grip the dulled edge with my hand to use the shovel as a scraper. To remove ground debris or soil away or to remove bark. And with the Cordura sheath on it becomes an effective self defense tool against man or beast and is not usually thought of as a weapon. I would caution against head and neck strikes as those strikes should only be used if lethal force is being used against you. There is plenty of baton or kali stick training on the internet to get an idea of its capability. And last I spray painted my shovel both handle and spade earth tones. Or you could paint it red or even bright orange. I enjoyed your video.
No storage room in modern vehicles but I can fit a cold steel shovel. Not as large as some emergency snow shovels but much stronger with more options for use. It is a tool of last resort but I know I will have it with me.
This shovel is great for digging out bush and tree stumps. Chops right through roots, and for dirt and rocks it's a shovel. After a few stumps, though, you'll need to resharpen.
It is also very easy to make a long Handel from a walking stick and use it as a full size shovel. The 2 screws are easy to remove with any screw driver
I have one coming tomorrow from Amazon I paid 30$ for it...and got because I wanted a Small Shovel for my Truck for the Snow this winter I hope its Good for that purpose
Check out the leather cover available from Badger Claw Outfitters! Absolutely worth the money insofar as how it protects this most useful of tools! Can't say enough about the shovel!
Guy had a WW1 rusted French helmet with a huge dent for $100. Said no, he put a German shovel on it. Fit like a glove! 😳 Shovel is handy for Dakota fires n chopping so thumbs up.
I've had mine and used abused it for 4 years now. I modified its case so with it in one kit I have a Leatherman ultimate, silky pocket boy, sail cloth needle, Bic lighter, fero rod and diamond sharpener. Together there's nothing you can't do.
Nice review. "Welcome to Ohio"...lol i feel your pain southeast Ohio here. I have been using the thermacell with great results. I also soak and dry my adventure clothes in permethrin.
If you have ever dug a fighting position with an entrenching tool you quickly realize that it sucks. Then when you finish, an officer will come along and tell you to move your position twenty meters to the left.
Feel free to sharpen it a little more once you get it...will chop a lot better. I got mine a few years ago with the protective sheath...and stained the handle walnut color. I still tend to carry a Half a Chance machete by CRKT for more serious chopping.
It's not as good as a hammer, axe, hoe, hatchet, paddle, saw, knife, or machete. But it's amazing how many of those tasks it can do reasonably well or even very well. It's very reasonably priced too, at ~$26 - $40 in 2024. If you don't like the handle, you can carve a longer one out of a branch. You can even carve a "Y" shaped branch to make a pick.
It's so funny that distributors in the UK have to reach out to American youtubers. Here in the UK, we have no public land where you can practice bushcraft. We would be arrested for carrying that shovel or a bushcraft knife. I really wish I lived in the USA.
I think you got a really hard peace old dry wood and we all Know Wood can get Crazy Hard like if it Petrified it get hard as a Rock ....and it's not ment for that but it will work on Greener Wood..so not a fair test it's not a axe it's a Shovel...but now that I see you useing it I wish I would got a Bigger Shovel
Ce ne sont pas les russes qui ont inventé cette pelle ... On appelle çà une pelle de tranchée et elle était déjà utilisée comme outil et comme arme dans les tranchées pendant la guerre de 1914/1918 ... 🤔🤔
![[Part 1] รักมาไม่ทันตั้งตัว❤ หนุ่มสาวโสดถูกจับมาแต่งงานกันกะทันหัน แถมเธอยังเป็นหัวหน้าของเขา?!](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/y2pOOMkuFI0/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks for the shout out, appreciate it.
Even used mine once as an emergency paddle with my kayak
The short handle is meant to be used while kneeling or laying down....hence the phrase "dig in"
I’ve had, and used, my Spetznaz over 25 years. On my third handle now. I wouldn’t trade it for ten of those folding shovels. It’s one piece of kit that I never leave at home.
It's based on the WW1 Austrian and German field spade. If you read All's Quiet on the Western Front, this is the spade Katz told him to carry instead of his rifle when they went over the top.
Yep true
I've had a GI entrenching tool that was issued to me in the eighties and it has served me well. I purchased the cold steel shovel and I like it much better! The only difference is that you can't fold the blade to make a seat but that's not what it was designed for! But for a military style shove the cold steel is far superior for it versatility and strength! ATB,Sam Adler from Vietnam
Excellent e-tool and all around bushcraft tool. I've had mine for 2 yrs now. They are very versatile which is always what you want in your items especially your tools, multiple uses. I love the way the forged steel sings. They are very sharp, so I recommend getting a cover for it or you'll end up cutting things in your pack or yourself. And in a pinch it's a very capable fighting tool that nobody initially would ever consider a weapon.
I love my cold steel shovel. I bought the the protective cover for it, stained the handle mahogany and I wrapped the handle is fire cord. This thing is also great for moving coals around.
Excellent.....!
Ordered one off Amazon
Thanks for your knowledge and Wisdom Brother
All the Best
From SCOTLAND
been wondering about those types of shovels. Thank you for the review
I own both of these cold steel shovels and they are extremely versatile!
Zachary Fowler won the alone series (not sure what year) but this was the ONE TOOL he took with him to Patagonia ( I believe)
he did take it with him and it was seson 3
That guy is from my state...love that dude...insanely well built shovel and for the price I'll be damned if you could find another tactical shovel that is this efficient in almost every task you do with it
The longer handled version would definitely dig better, but of course it's going to be harder to carry. This model is much easier to carry into the woods.. Although it can do some of the tasks that an axe can do, it in no way would replace an axe. It just isn't going to do axe stuff better than an axe. That being said, I own one and love it. For what it is, it's a very versatile tool that can do more than just dig a hole to take a dump in. I much prefer this over the competition.
I have the soviet army shovel (the name "spetznaz shovel" is for cold steel marketing) I have a Serbian coldwar shovel and the CS shovel. The Cold Steel is by far the best. The steel in the others is mild steel, the CS is tempered high carbon. I have chopped saplings to build shelters, it won't beat an axe or large knife in cutting but it does work.
I did a trade once with IAWoodsman. Got a pilots survival gill net and traded him a Swede surplus svea stove- same as the Trangia stove.
Great guy.
I've got an original Soviet infantry shovel produced during WW2 in 1944, steel thickness is 2 mm and it's tempered (in later years they reduced the thickness to 1.5 mm). Great little shovel, strong enough to take on hard frozen ground.
One thing I will say is it's a jack of all trades and master of none but still better than a master of one. I sanded mine down and put boiled linseed oil
A shovel, a hatchet, a machete and does those all fairly well!
I have the Cold Steel Special Forces Shovel and the Spetsnaz Trench Shovel, both are very well constructed from high quality materials and are outstandingly versatile tools.
Very highly recommendable and built to last.
I also have a genuine Russian military titanium shovel which I bought directly from Russia, and a Fiskars/Gerber NATO Folding Spade.
All are excellent tools, I particularly wanted the NATO Folding Spade as it folded down into its own Cordura carry case and was well proven.
Thanks for sharing this. I completely agree that the CS shovel is true workhorse tool, very versatile, and holds value as a general camp tool that is WAY above it's miniscule price point. I do recommend working on the edge to improve chopping performance.
Good review , thanks for sharing , God bless !
The shovel cuts better than an axe digs.
Love the video brother, absolutely fn amazing!!! I had an authentic soviet issued spetsnaz shovel...I LOVED IT!!! Now it was authentic, but I doubt it was actually issued due to the fact that it looked new, but it was an actual spetsnaz shovel. I ended up loosing it in one of the MANY moves I did...but man it was worth its weight in the most precious metals/stones. My brother told me about it and I was skeptical at 1st, but after I got it and used it a couple times I was like a kid in a candy store every time I got the chance to use it!!! Anyhow enough rambling, just wanted to say awesome video and even better tool!!! I look forward to the next video brother. Till then, stay safe my man!!!
Thank you!
@@ThePreparedWanderer you're very welcome
I have the larger shovel, the trench model.
It’s okay for digging and root removal, and skinning bark from branches.
For chopping, get an axe, or a large Kubrick blade.
I have one and keep the Right side (when looking at the shovel, handle down) very sharp for finer wood processing and the Left side more of a convex edge for chopping.
Great tool, and the nylon cordura sheath Cold Steel offers is functional. I plan to make my own out of leather with a couple pouches sewn in for a sharpening stone, fire kit, and small IFAK.
TACTICAL KNIVES was the GREATEST knife magazine EVER. I'm not sure if the mentioned website is the same people or if it was ever that url to begin with, but it brought up some fond memories.
No not the same
I shortened my handle to make the shovel easier to pack along at a total of 17 inches long and to chop with. The wood handle length is 10 inches now and allows for one hand on the remaining wood prior to the rounded end and the other hand on the metal collar for two hand digging to make a shallow hole while on your knees. While my walking stick is pre drilled to allow the spade to attach to it, making it into a long handled shovel for a lot of digging. I dulled the non chopping edge in order to make the wood I am batoning with last longer, and to be able to grip the dulled edge with my hand to use the shovel as a scraper. To remove ground debris or soil away or to remove bark. And with the Cordura sheath on it becomes an effective self defense tool against man or beast and is not usually thought of as a weapon. I would caution against head and neck strikes as those strikes should only be used if lethal force is being used against you. There is plenty of baton or kali stick training on the internet to get an idea of its capability. And last I spray painted my shovel both handle and spade earth tones. Or you could paint it red or even bright orange. I enjoyed your video.
Strip / scrape off the varnish on the handle and apply boiled linseed oil
What's the edge geometry supposed to be for sharpening a shovel?
Great video! I wish you had thrown the shovel at least once!
No storage room in modern vehicles but I can fit a cold steel shovel. Not as large as some emergency snow shovels but much stronger with more options for use. It is a tool of last resort but I know I will have it with me.
Great for breaking ice under the tires as that's usually the reason why people are stuck in the snow
For an all round tool I feel a heavier one would prove more effective to chop with.
This shovel is great for digging out bush and tree stumps. Chops right through roots, and for dirt and rocks it's a shovel. After a few stumps, though, you'll need to resharpen.
It is also very easy to make a long Handel from a walking stick and use it as a full size shovel. The 2 screws are easy to remove with any screw driver
I have one coming tomorrow from Amazon I paid 30$ for it...and got because I wanted a Small Shovel for my Truck for the Snow this winter I hope its Good for that purpose
$18 from The Knife Center in Fredricksburg, VA.
Check out the leather cover available from Badger Claw Outfitters! Absolutely worth the money insofar as how it protects this most useful of tools! Can't say enough about the shovel!
Guy had a WW1 rusted French helmet with a huge dent for $100. Said no, he put a German shovel on it. Fit like a glove! 😳
Shovel is handy for Dakota fires n chopping so thumbs up.
Like my GI Fox 🕳️ fold up shovel .
I've had mine and used abused it for 4 years now. I modified its case so with it in one kit I have a Leatherman ultimate, silky pocket boy, sail cloth needle, Bic lighter, fero rod and diamond sharpener. Together there's nothing you can't do.
Nice review. "Welcome to Ohio"...lol i feel your pain southeast Ohio here. I have been using the thermacell with great results. I also soak and dry my adventure clothes in permethrin.
If you have ever dug a fighting position with an entrenching tool you quickly realize that it sucks. Then when you finish, an officer will come along and tell you to move your position twenty meters to the left.
Lol
Feel free to sharpen it a little more once you get it...will chop a lot better. I got mine a few years ago with the protective sheath...and stained the handle walnut color. I still tend to carry a Half a Chance machete by CRKT for more serious chopping.
Think this would be a suitable tool for fire poking/burning log adjusting duties or no?
Absolutely
@@ThePreparedWanderer excellent, saves me another product I’d have to buy- was looking at the coughlin stick and now I can skip it. Thanks!
It's not as good as a hammer, axe, hoe, hatchet, paddle, saw, knife, or machete. But it's amazing how many of those tasks it can do reasonably well or even very well. It's very reasonably priced too, at ~$26 - $40 in 2024. If you don't like the handle, you can carve a longer one out of a branch. You can even carve a "Y" shaped branch to make a pick.
That dry wood was titanium tree. I’ve never had my cold steel ring like that
It was so hard. The shovel was bouncing
It's so funny that distributors in the UK have to reach out to American youtubers.
Here in the UK, we have no public land where you can practice bushcraft.
We would be arrested for carrying that shovel or a bushcraft knife.
I really wish I lived in the USA.
I think you got a really hard peace old dry wood and we all Know Wood can get Crazy Hard like if it Petrified it get hard as a Rock ....and it's not ment for that but it will work on Greener Wood..so not a fair test it's not a axe it's a Shovel...but now that I see you useing it I wish I would got a Bigger Shovel
BTW- What bag is that in front of you?
This video gave me tinnitus
Not at all impressed with this one ,hope the original does a better job.
WLQiu camp axe
Ce ne sont pas les russes qui ont inventé cette pelle ... On appelle çà une pelle de tranchée et elle était déjà utilisée comme outil et comme arme dans les tranchées pendant la guerre de 1914/1918 ... 🤔🤔
Nice copy of German WW1 & WW2 Shovel design.
Soviet, not German. Germans had a slightly different design in ww1 and in ww2 they used klappspaten which stands for folding shovel.
Wtf that noise is so annoying. I be so worried who would hear that if your trying to hide from ppl
Bof, il veux mieux un bon couteau ou une hache
So it's not that great at anything including digging
Lol. I’ve been eyeing this particular tool and this video has me wondering what I was even thinking to want it.
When you are hiking in the woods, weight is your enemy. This little shovel is fairly good at a lot of things.
How many people are going to make a review of a #$%& shovel?
Are you saying this is crap? You would be wrong and have never used one.
It may be okay to dig in the dirt but that is about it.
Well, it is a shovel.