Cold Steel’s Soviet Special Forces Shovel?

[Mike H.]

Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “Cold Steel’s Soviet Special Forces Shovel?” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/cold-steel-special-forces-shovel-review/.

 

[beardiron]

I had to be the first kid on the block (County? State?) to have one of these. Mine didn't come with a sheath. Over the last 22 years (has it been that long?) it has been in the gear bag of several cars. I don't think that I ever once had a need for it. But it's still cool.

 

[Sld1959]

Nice lil tool. Have three of them one for each car snd my hubting kit. Edges all sharpened and I can use then to dig, as adhoc weapon, and light chopper. I had gotten car unstuck dug cat holes, made countless blinds and shelters, and chopped up a dead fall in my path.

Handy tool, have used one for about as long as they have been out.

 

[Randall Chaney]

I had to be the first kid on the block (County? State?) to have one of these. Mine didn't come with a sheath. Over the last 22 years (has it been that long?) it has been in the gear bag of several cars. I don't think that I ever once had a need for it. But it's still cool.

Beard,

I noticed that several contestant on this season of the survival show Alone used them as one of their Ten Items of gear. Yes, cool!

Randall

 

[Randall Chaney]

Nice lil tool. Have three of them one for each car snd my hubting kit. Edges all sharpened and I can use then to dig, as adhoc weapon, and light chopper. I had gotten car unstuck dug cat holes, made countless blinds and shelters, and chopped up a dead fall in my path.

Handy tool, have used one for about as long as they have been out.

Sld1959,

I didn’t realize how substantial they actually until I got one. Very useful.

Randall

 

[Randall Chaney]

This is throwing mine. Hits pretty hard. It stuck blade first on this toss.

Randall

 

[Sld1959]

Sld1959,

I didn’t realize how substantial they actually until I got one. Very useful.

Randall

They take a pretty good beating. Not heat treated for great edge retention but they do well enough for light to medium chopping tasks. Even some heavy duty but slow and easy to resharpen with a file. If I was going to make a habit of heavy chopping and digging I might oval the handle more so it twists less on impact in a sweaty hand.

Saw the guy take on for Alone, thought it was a decent choice.

 

[Talyn]

I have the longer handled version.

 

[Bassbob]

I have the USGI folding shovel. Ya commies.

 

[Randall Chaney]

I have the USGI folding shovel. Ya commies.

Haaaaaa

 

[Randall Chaney]

I have the longer handled version.

How do you like it?

 

[Belt Fed]

My metal detecting shovel is stronger than both of those put together,

 

[USMC6094]

Funny, mine is called an E-tool, and every Marine is issued one.

And from my study of Marine Corps history, everything's a weapon.

I think I'll get one just for kicks, but it's nothing new, or special...........

 

[Talyn]

How do you like it?

It's much more useable than the short-handle.

I don't throw short-handled shovels for self-defense.

I prefer more effective items for that.

 

[Belt Fed]

I keep a couple in the trucks, if you go offroad then you know how helpful a shovel can be sometimes, but don't want to keep a regular long handled shovel in there. think mine are older models. they have shoveled a lot of mud from under tires.

 

[Randall Chaney]

It's much more useable than the short-handle.

I don't throw short-handled shovels for self-defense.

I prefer more effective items for that.

Agreed, Talyn. Thanks. I think the longer handle would be more useful. I am dead set against throwing a weapon, but when I saw it done, I was like challenge accepted!

Randall

 

[Randall Chaney]

I keep a couple in the trucks, if you go offroad then you know how helpful a shovel can be sometimes, but don't want to keep a regular long handled shovel in there. think mine are older models. they have shoveled a lot of mud from under tires.

Nice, Belt Fed. I did some digging with this shovel and it’ll get the job done with a bit more effort.

Randall

 

[Randall Chaney]

Funny, mine is called an E-tool, and every Marine is issued one.

And from my study of Marine Corps history, everything's a weapon.

I think I'll get one just for kicks, but it's nothing new, or special...........

USMC6094,

Is your issued E-tool the folding version?

Randall

 

[Talyn]

Agreed, Talyn. Thanks. I think the longer handle would be more useful. I am dead set against throwing a weapon, but when I saw it done, I was like challenge accepted!

Randall

As others have said anything can be used to defend yourself depending on the circumstances.