Cold Steel Special Forces Shovel Review - Survival Gear
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- Опубліковано 30 лип 2015
- The Cold Steel Special Forces Shovel is way more than a shovel. It can be used as an axe, a machete or even a weapon. This would be a great addition to a large bug out bag or emergency kit.
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This is the first review I've ever seen where someone uses this shovel to dig lol
;-)
There are other people that reviewed, and yes. It's main use was a trenching shovel, and you guessed it, digging trenches, although I don't know how they succeeded on doing that, but now the special forces use it as a melee weapon. And the USA followed suit. I mean, look at it. Not even a ballistics helmet cannot save you.
What, you can dig with it too?
@@Erebus.666. It's a shovel, not an axe.
@@freevbucks8019 Yes,I gathered that. Just a little bit of a joke. But still, it does make a handy axe substitute. Thanks for pointing out that it's a shovel, consider me enlightened.
This gives me an idea for a new hero; The Gardener. He dispatches his foes with a bladed shovel, then digs their graves right after. The last words they here; "You're fertilizer." The Gardener's signature? He plants turnips over his victims' graves. Criminals beware wherever you see a random patch of turnips.
Dude, you might want to check the dosage on those meds :-)
The dosage is way too low on these meds, actually, but an easy fix is to take 12 of them.
;-)
Like shovel knight with a plot 10/10
A utility belt full o shovels...I can dig it!
dude, seriously, you're one of the most likable people I've seen on UA-cam.
Aw shucks. Thanks.
Agreed. I'd feed him some gumbo at my table in TN anytime!
Seriously, you are probably the nicest UA-camr out there...
I've been carrying this shovel for almost 20 years. Used it excessively. I'm on the second handle (made it with a piece of locust), but it is still going strong.
One of the best wilderness tools you can carry.
Good to hear from a long term user
Broke my handle this winter, used it (unwisely) as traction to attempt to get out of an ice patch in my work vehicle. Threw the shovel at the car behind me, broke the handle and didn't work for traction. Could have gave me a flat tire to boot, but luckily did not. Ordered a new handle online, was easy to replace.
Good to hear, I just purchased one 👍
I have not seen a negative review on this tool yet, and the price is fantastic. If you don't mind carrying the weight, it's an easy decision to add this to your gear list. Thanks Brian. One thing not mentioned here: the large screws make replacing the handle in the field a relatively simple task.
John Campbell Good point John.
Not only can you replace it either in the field or back at home, but if youre going to be digging all day, fashioning a long full size handle is also an option.
Not only can you replace it either in the field or back at home, but if youre going to be digging all day, fashioning a long full size handle is also an option.
I haven't had one for very long, but what little testing I've been able to do makes me think that it's effective enough as a chopper to replace most hatchets. So overall weight is reduced by carrying one tool instead of two.
Cold steel really has good temper. Their stuff is very tuff.
I was disappointed too not by the sticker but the varnish on the handle. This kind of finish is, yes, durable but it causes blisters on any hands.
I removed the handle from the shovel, removed the varnish by sanding it down then applied boiled linseed oil to protect the wood.
It really does makes a difference.
+Simon Forget That is a good way to prevent blisters.
You could use it as a paddle on the river too maybe put a lanyard on it
motorcityman99 Good idea.
Great shovel and a excellent price point. I've had one with me in my Jeep for almost 3 years now.
I agree
Hey Brian just a tip if you didn't know, keep the pine roots because all of the pine resin gets clotted in there, and i know you love fatwood!
Love your channel. Iv watched over 100 reviews of this shovel and honestly as woods man hunter survivalist have never co sidered it untill my son bought one. After watching him use it over a 4 day kayak survival trip i was amazed with its usfulness! I just ordered one from your store. Looking foward to using it
This is indeed a fantastic tool. I have two, one in the car for whatever comes along, one in the garden for digging in tight spots, planting, hacking off limbs and prying roots and rocks of all sizes. The wife loves it! I sanded and oiled the shaft to make it less slippery. It is marketed as a badass Russki ninja weapon (which it is, of course) but it shines as a bombproof TOOL.
WarSpork It is a very solid tool for sure.
The "wet heat" opening cracked me up ... and I had no doubts going in that you would manage to stick that shovel in a tree, but how well it did at that really surprised me. Hope I never find myself in a fox hole fending off some enemy horde with my entrenching tool, but nice to know this one could slice and dice in extremis.
Random Button Pusher Me either ;-)
This was one of my first and still one of my favorite pieces of gear....but more for fun than utility. I found it doesn't replace an axe, even for it's weight. It is now relegated to my truck emergency tool kit, which it is GREAT for, because an e-tool is a great tool for trying to dig yourself out of mud when you have limited space under the truck.
MAD Punty It is certainly fun
Bought one of these almost a year ago, specifically because of this review, and I must say, it is amazing. This has been my go to camp tool on several outings, and while it's not amazing at anything, it's pretty good at a bunch of stuff. This and a good knife, and you're good to go.
...do you really need a knife when you have this? why not a saw
@@davidp6913 I'm not using the shovel to carve a spoon, prep food, or gut a fish...
@@Pharto_Stinkus i get the feeling those arent the real reasons you want to carry a knife
@@davidp6913 what does that even mean?
@@Pharto_Stinkus take a spoon with you, or just make chopsticks from twigs and drink the broth.
prepare food by hand, it doesnt need to be neatly sliced if youre surviving
you can clean fish without a knife, plus youd be using ALL of its resources if youre surviving
I sharpened mine and replaced the short handle with the longer one for the Spetsnaz model and it became my #1 camping/hiking tool. I do chop with it, but I use it for digging more than anything. It's a lifesaver when you have to dig through roots.
I tried different edges, and eventually landed with an edge that's thickest at the tip and it gets sharper as it moves away. The heavier tip helps when you hit rocks.
It's MUCH better for digging with the longer handle.
i was waiting fo a long time for a Cold Steel product review on your channel . keep them Coming Brian
Cotoz Alexandru I did a couple others a while back ua-cam.com/video/e0JqymFsCLg/v-deo.html and ua-cam.com/video/AY2vxide5X4/v-deo.html
Always a pleasure to watch your videos and reviews Brian!
Carlos Menezes Thanks Carlos.
Love the fact, the only negative was sticker residue. That was my only complaint too. A great tool and a great review.
Best review for cold steel shovel. Had one...sold it...miss it...saw your review...gotta get another!
Indeed.
You just convinced me to get this,been eye balling it for a while now..will go through your amazon link..thanks
tom a Thanks Tom.
I have broken EVERY GI E tool I owned. They all broke at the hinge bracket/blade rivet pad. I had a Chicom copy. That bracket/pad was 2x as thick. It lasted years.
I like all the reviews I've seen about this shovel. It is on my Christmas list. Best of all my bushcraft pack is a little unorthodox compared to most, so this tool will be at home!
You'll like it
Of all the youtubers you have the best featherstick music. Makes me smile every time.
MNgunhead Thanks. It makes up for my shortcomings in actually doing a featherstick ;-)
You can easily get the "gummy stuff" off of the handle if you use TEA TREE OIL and some elbow grease. Good review. I gave one of these to my son-in-law and he liked it.
Great review! Bought this shovel a few years ago and the first thing I did was to wrap the handle with some tennis grip tape. This makes a big difference in chopping and digging.
It will also cover the sticky label stuff on the handle. HA!
+ultraclassic01hd Good idea.
You can easily remove the sticky goo wiping it with a rag and wd-40!
Otac vegetable oil works for stickers too and then just wash the oil with soap.
+S Van somebody beat me to it! X
Goo-B-Gone works well too.
5 years later and the sticker still leaves goo.
Good review...I love Cold Steel products. Thanks
Mike Thomas I think they do a good job.
Great piece of kit Brian, i bought one months ago...
great vieo and a nice Hat Marine
Greetings
Harry
Harry Mcleod Never let it be said that I claim to be a Marine. I bought the boonie at my nephew's graduation at Parris Island. He can make that claim. I'm just a Boy Scout ;-)
A tip my wife actually taught me. The hand sanitizer people use on their hands takes sticker goo and even pine tree sap off of anything in seconds. Great review, it was good to actually see how it perform digging a hole.
Wives are smart .
Nice video. Some mods you might consider Bryan. I counter sunk another screw (same size) in the end of the handle. In case you lose one for what ever reason. Drilled a hole for a lanyard. Stripped the factory finish on wood and finished with many coats of linseed oil. Stripped the epoxy coat on the steel and replaced with a pantena finish. Cleaned up the sharpened edge and put a .005 radius on same edges. This to protect from chips and rolls on the edges. Thanks again. Peace from Texas
Cool ideas. Especially about the screw.
Great video! Gonna buy this shovel.
It is solid
SKUNK !! like trying to spot the skunk in your videos never no when and where its going to pop up. great videos all ways informative and or educational, and/or funny
D Rogers I appreciate the support. And, just for the record, I hate skunks.
Great video. I have one of these "Spetsnaz" style shovels from CS, and its awesome. Btw, that sticker residue could be scrubbed off with rubbing alcohol and a sponge, no need to sand the wood handle down.
I just ignored it finally
I used a squirt of wd-40, and it scraped off very easily with a thumbnail.
got mine yesterday in UK I LIKE IT, great video.
Thanks for watching.
Best cold steel review on youtube.
Aw shucks. Thanks
That is a handy piece of equipment. Thanks for the video. If you do not want blisters ,sand the handle down and wipe in some linseed oil. Works good
dalton vickers One day I will do exactly that.
8:00 i can relate so much to that sticker problem with hammers. i literally had to rub my forehead on my vaughan framing hammer to stick some oil to the residue, so that when i slid my hand across the handle it wouldn't stick on the residue.
just picked up a nato issue folding shovel and I have to say its impressive, might have to put an edge on mine though :) thanks for the upload I love your channel by the way!
Thanks. I appreciate it.
Wait until you actually try and dig a trench or hole with it. You'll be re-tightening it every 30 seconds.
I was amazed as to just how well it passed the "balance test!!" I checked through your link.....One can get this shovel for right at 30 bucks with free shipping. not bad at all! I went back though and looked once gain at your excellent review of the Schrade folder...about two bucks cheaper also free shipping, and it seems from your review...just as tough and more versatile with it's two position head and even smaller size for packing. Great reviews both!! Good stuff Bryan! As always.
Charles Larson I like the Schrade better for the reasons you mentioned but for sheer toughness I think this one wins. No moving parts to break ever.
Survival On Purpose Agreed...but with this one statement....I had a wooden handled GI issued folder...the point being wood handled...and my little lady busted that damned handle!! Haw!! Had to go poop! Now we were in the desert and did not have the option of carving out a new handle. Sooooo...for the rest of that camping trip, I had the mother of all trowels!!!!!! Ha Ha Ha!! >;-) I'll take the Schrade!
;-)
After buying the Shovel through your link, I opted to remove the label upon arrival. The hair dryer was used to heat up the goo on the label which 'rolled' off quite well. Since there were two labels there, the underneath one left some residue, which wiped off with 70% isopropyl alcohol from the Dollar Store. Thanks for the review and sticky warning.
Thanks for buying the shovel through my link !
bought one, so cool.
I have 2 they great for the woods
if you don't want to pack something the big and heavy into the woods you could make a handle for it pretty easily
+Thomas Kunkel yep
Nice review! Just a suggestion but I find it a lot easier to pull the ferro rod away from the striking blade. It produces more sparks and is less labor-intensive.
Have this in my truck , great tool .
It sure is!
Under ordinary circumstances yes you never throw a shovel. However, that particular shovel is designed as a combat fighting tool. You can dig dirt, fill sandbags, chop small limbs, fight with it " those particulars are best not discussed here thank you very much " drive tent stakes, start fires with a ferro rod and several other uses. The angle on the edge is more for chopping, but with a little work with a stone, you can change the angle on 1 edge for better cutting on line, rope etc.
Your old vids are still helpful.
I’m glad to hear that because I have been really slacking on the UA-cam due to a remodel project in my basement. It’s always good to hear from you.
I bought this before you got around to the review. It works.
Dwight E Howell Yes it does.
Informative and beneficial video
Two things:
It's worth mentioning that the "special forces" for which the shovel is named was the spetznatz,
And you missed out on the shovel's best feature (in my opinion).......
SHOVEL BACON!
(it can be used effectively as a pan)
echeese63 I prefer the "paint free" bacon ;-)
@@SurvivalOnPurpose I bet the shovel part, could be treated in a way to make it safe. Like with my BK-2, it came with a crappy black coating, and I removed the handle, sprayed the knife with paint stripper, and took off the coating. Then I soaked the knife in boiling vinegar, for about an hour, and then put the handle back on. Nice, smooth black blade... doesn't ever rust, either. I have 2 of these shovels, so maybe I'll try this procedure on one of them to see how it turns out. ...who am I kidding, I just wanna try "shovel bacon"! Haha!
Easily one of my favorite tools. It adds weight on my pack but I think its just too convenient for all the things you can do with it.
It is cool
Great little shovel . Try alcohol to take that sticky stuff off or they have tape adhesive remover at Office Depot or stores like that . Works great .
pmags1331 Thanks for the tip.
'Shovels are designed to dig, do not throw them' - hey, it's a freaking weapon of war, okay? Countless soldiers were killed with these in trenches and close quarter fights of WW1 and WW2. Compared to knife, where you need to know where to hit when throwing to kill, with shovel hit to any part of the body is lethal. Oh, and you also can dig with it, can't do that with bayonet!
use Metho to remove the sticker, mine come off straight away, I am still trying to work out how to add/attach a small file to the sheath so I can sharpen it on the fly.
Over all a very versatile tool that could conceivably replace the hawk in a survival situation.
Its greatest asset is its small cost, it is ultimately disposable, and so you can use/abuse it with little regard to damaging it and when it does eventually fail you get another one and start the process again.
Yep
I had to laugh with your comment, "But it's a wet heat." Miserable weather up here too. Cold Steel shovel is impressive. I can see it hitched to the outside of a day pack for a variety of reasons. Plus it's "balanced." Got to love that. Great review. Thanks Bryan.
John Hufnagel Thanks John. Yeah, I had to build a fire to cool off.
Survival On Purpose Friends that moved to Arizona keep telling me about the local weather. "But it's a DRY heat" they say. A Pizza oven is dry heat...I don't want to move in there either.
Ótimo vídeo!!
Thanks. I appreciate it.
Lol... you started a fire with a shovel...
yep
Use Isopropyl alcohol ro get that sticker residue off. It really works amazingly. Use it myself for a bunch of different uses.
Neil The Knife Guy Thanks.
Survival On Purpose No problem brother man!
Good video Bri..... Suggestion, use "Goo-gone" on the sticker glue, works like a champ for lots of different adhesive residues and the like. I agree with you on the lack of any curvature in the shovel... not a very good "digger" with the flat surface. DUDE..... Where did you get the friggin' awesome fire steel? I want!!!!!! Seriously, I went back thru yer vids and couldn't find that beast anywhere... or am i just blind AND stupid..... Keep 'em comin' pal....
Art-E-Mouse I made it. ua-cam.com/video/umryvulwrVM/v-deo.html
i have this cold steel shovel and it is a great buy specially for its price point. its always in the car and the only shovel i take camping
It is solid
Any Petrol (gas) based liquid is great for removing glue residue, I always use lighter fluid.
Yep, that works pretty good
Nice one....I own a original1982 Soviet one and I must say these repro's are pretty identical to the original ones. Indestructible and 1st class murder weapons and totaly legal to own hahaha.
They are fun to throw
Poor trees, LOL!
It's a quasi military spec entrenching tool militaries around the world that utilized a fixed entrenching tool shovel design Theirs to do multiple tasks including be a weapon
And fun to throw
Imagine the maintenance on that blade to upkeep the sharpness if used for a regular digger. But of course if one was working in special forces they could pick up a new shovel every outing if they liked.
Well, it is a shovel
Check out the Swedish Army "KLAS"-shovel.
Really great, Especially with the attachable snowshovel-addon for it. :)
Thanks
Was considering this but i am concerened about the sharpened edge on a shovel especially one so cheap? For over 15 years ive used a 1966 ames entrenching tool. Beating it against rocks, digging up boulders, and considering its age it is still in solid shape. I bought a newer style folding shovel and the first thing i noticed after using is the edge rolling. I dont need a zombie killing shovel i need something that can dig and withstand abuse. I wanted something abit lighter than my ames shovel but i would rather have something i know i can depend on so i guess i cannot retire it.
Ok sticky tags W3-40 / 3 in 1 oil or really just about any oil well remove sticky tags always ?
Hey there Bryan, try some WD40, cleans the handle beautifully. Great review by the way.
Every single day I'll do it. Thanks.
For the sticker residu part. Rub some peanut butter on there. Leave it over night and wash it off. Works every time. Looks like a good versatile shovel indeed. Atb from Holland
Thanks
As an aside, Commonwealth Forces in WW1 called the shovel the trench axe, as they sharpened them and found them to be effective in hand to hand combat.
been wanting one of those for the truck.
and I know for sure you are a man that appreciates a high quality shovel, based on your experience breaking into the trades.
+Jake Riethmeier My very first week as a plumber I got to know Mr. Shovel very well ;-)
You are one of the nicely peoples that i have seen on youtube
Aw shucks. You are too kind.
Survival On Purpose welcome
Can’t wait to get this in a week
Cool
Survival On Purpose yep
Finally a cold steel item! :)
+Mason Thornburgh I have done a few
Hi Brian,cool peace of gear for camp tasks,not for hiking.Where is the Bushman???)))All CS stijers are paine in the b...Cheers.
TheStoyanbahchevanov I need to get a Bushman, don't I?
Hi again, you won't regret.It is not the best knife, but is the best for the money,I think you can't beat that.If I was Castaway I'll be happy with a Bushman)))Cheers.
Just a word of warning, a lot of people are saying they break if 'abused'. Abused meaning throwing it and chopping excessively. Most say the handle snaps, but at least a couple have mentioned the metal bending or chipping if it's abused. It's no Spetsnaz shovel. If you want one of those, you need to search around.
+ChrisC30 I guess one man's abuse is another man's abuse
The handles definitely need refinishing and a boiled linseed oil treatment, but are otherwise amazing bang for your buck!
Mpl 50.right ??? Thanks
This man just made a Dakota firehole, lit the fire and then assassinated a tree with a shovel and a ferro rod.
What do you think about the russian titanium shovel? can you chop with it etc?
I have no experience with it
LOL The sticker gunk bother's you, eh? Me too so I sanded mine off. It balances well I see.
Feral Woodcraft Yes it does.
I like most everything about it, but it needs a D-yoke handle, or a T-handle. Maybe if it was more cupped, less flat, would be a good thing.
It is what it is
I take mine when weight and space aren't and issue, like when car camping, off the atv, or during a kayak trip. It is rock solid and a must have piece of kit.. Thumbs up
***** Thanks Andrew
Is there anything like this, but with a fiberglass handle and T grip ? i really feel that would be a near perfect combination of things tbh.
Maybe this? ua-cam.com/video/Ytn9BLfVOG0/v-deo.html
this is a speznas shovel...used since ww2 in stalingrad
I found the description of the product on Cold Steel's website, and then put it through a program that translates stuff into gangsta lingo. Let's have some fun shall we? :)
Original: Our Special Forces Shovel is also immensely popular with the throwing community, as its head-heavy balance and multiple sharp edges make it an excellent alternative to a Tomahawk for sport and recreational throwing!
Translated: Our Special Forces Shovel be also immensely ghettofab wit tha throwin hood, as its head-heavy balizzle n' multiple sharp edges make it a pimpin alternatizzle ta a Tomahawk fo' shiznit n' recreationizzle throwing!
I'm dying with laughter....
You've made my day XD
The Russian Spetsnaz special forces use these shovels in close combat. When they need to make a silent kill, they will throw this shovel from a distance of about 5-7 meters between the shoulder blades of an enemy. This severs the spine. It can also be used to chop off arms/hands and to disembowel and lacerate the enemy, and can be thrust into the neck to sever the jugular vein. It is a horrifying weapon in trained hands.
+D5quared91 I bet
Cool and Crazy (:
Indeed.
looks to be a fairly good utility tool but i think i would ahve to sharpen the side edges for better cutting and chopping
You can definitely do that
Do you prefer this over the folding variety?
Michael Saull I do for throwing ;-)
get vid Bryan! always wanted a sweet shovel. now i found one. thanks.
+SCOOP DE DOOP It is solid.
I was looking at shovels awhile back when I thought I should get a real knife. If you have army surplus in your area, I'd see what they got for a real surplus pick-shovel. This looks like a nice shovel, though.
Gary Weaver I did but I had several folks ask about this one so I bought it to review.
Survival On Purpose
Ya, it looks nice. You can hose clamp the joint and even whittle a new handle. If there are good spot welds and good metal on the folders, that might, could, pack better in some instances. This looks nice and "flat" for outside packing. This one might require a sheath to lessen injury possibilities ?
Yep, that's why I bought he sheath too.
Yep, that sticker residue on mine bothers me too. Alcohol swab works though.
Indeed.
sounds like a very good tool. :-)
Gristle Von Raben It is rock solid.
Disappearing skunks?
Yo Adrian I know nuthink !
The one Shovel Test I have yet to see you do is to point it into the ground and step on it with your foot like you would.... a shovel. All the ones I have seen you review appear to have rolled edges for this, and that is the way one normally cuts through roots while digging....
I am not sure I have good enough balance to do that with such short handles. I am a plumber. Trust me, I am VERY familiar with good old "Mr. Shovel". I don't think you are going to be bending over so far and using your feet with these shorty models.
I've seen you test a saw blade on the side of a stove because "it was there"... Just seems out of place to ignore the step edge on a shovel.
nice survival bracelet!!!
You are very perceptive.
+Survival On Purpose Are you able to do a video on the best ways to light a fire without flint, matches, lighter etc.
Probably not for a while. That is not one of my strengths. Yet ;-)
I dig it :D
;-)