Hello all! 
The following is a comparison of an original 1984 dated Soviet entrenching tool, and the Cold Steel Special Forces Shovel. This style of shovel has been used for decades by the Russian military, and takes the form of a short symmetrical shovel with a fixed blade attached to a wooden handle. They are an extremely useful piece of kit, not only usable in the primary role as an entrenching tool, but also capable of being a ferocious hand to hand melee weapon.
Let's look at these two designs sheathed, and discuss the sheaths:
The Cold Steel version comes with a simple nylon sheath that is thick and strong, securing the shovel with two nylon straps that go over the shoulders of the shovel, held by snaps. It hols the shovel very well, and the shovel fits snugly inside. The edges are riveted and heavily built. A belt loop is attached at the bottom of the sheath.
The Russian variant in made from the typical greenish brown canvas that has been used for many years. A small black leather strap with buckle secures the shovel. The strap has three holes, and a metal retaining ring for the slack. The mouth of the sheath is reinforced with extra canvas. The Russian sheath has two belt loops made of heavy cotton webbing.
Of the two sheaths, both are very serviceable. I prefer the closure method of the Cold Steel variant but prefer the placement of the belt loops on the Russian sheath.
Now, let's check out the shovels themselves (front and back):
Cold Steel's shovel (unsheathed) measures in at a total length of 20.5"/52cm. The width at the widest point of the blade is just under 6"/15cm. The blade is sharpened from the factory and has quite a sharp edge, and is painted glossy black. The thickness of the blade is .082"/2mm. The handle is some kind of hardwood, with a straight even grain. It is 16"/40.6cm long and attaches to the blade with two large flat head Phillips wood screws. The handle is finished with what appears to be clear polyurethane, and has a swell near the bottom. Replacement handles are available if needed.
The original 1984 dated Soviet shovel (unsheathed) measures in at a total length of 20.25"/51.4cm, just under the Cold Steel shovel. The width of the blade at it's widest point measures just under 6"/15cm, identical to Cold Steel. The Russian blade is not sharpened and is painted matte black. The thickness of the blade is also right at .082"/2mm, identical to Cold Steel's product. It should be noted than in it's advertising, Cold Steel claims there blade is "twice as thick" as an original Russian variant, which may be true of some production runs but not this 1984 dated one. The handle is 15.275"/39mm long. made of an unknown wood, perhaps teak, and seems to be oil stained. It uses smaller wood screws to attach to the blade. Also, the swell at the bottom of the handle is more pronounced than Cold Steel's.
Compared, both shovels seem to be of the same weight and balance the same in the hand. I prefer the feel of the handle on the Russian variant. It is rougher, and the swell near the bottom of the handle allows for a more positive grip. The slick polyurethane on the Cold Steel shovel doesn't offer as good of a grip but it's not bad. The Cold Steel does have the benefit of a factory-sharpened blade that is quite good, but will chip and dent if abused on something other than wood and dirt (guilty as charged
). It makes chopping and cutting tasks much easier as you can imagine, and is beneficial for defensive use.
Really, you can't go wrong with either of these great shovels. The Cold Steel shovel can be had for less than $20 USD without the sheath. With the sheath, expect to pay as little as $25 if you shop around. Original Russian issue shovels are more expensive, but still affordable. eBay is a great source and you can get unissued examples in the $50-$60 range or even quite a bit less if you catch a deal. If think it's worth it for the collector's value and "cool factor", but as a used the Cold Steel is every bit as good.
Both of these shovels are extremely well constructed, and are incredibly tough. This design is very practical, both as a tool and a weapon. They are useful for everything from chopping down small trees and clearing light brush, digging yourself a slit trench, to defending yourself from attack. They are ideal to throw in the trunk or in a backpack. If you don't own one of these, I highly recommend getting one.
Thanks all!
The following is a comparison of an original 1984 dated Soviet entrenching tool, and the Cold Steel Special Forces Shovel. This style of shovel has been used for decades by the Russian military, and takes the form of a short symmetrical shovel with a fixed blade attached to a wooden handle. They are an extremely useful piece of kit, not only usable in the primary role as an entrenching tool, but also capable of being a ferocious hand to hand melee weapon.
Let's look at these two designs sheathed, and discuss the sheaths:
The Cold Steel version comes with a simple nylon sheath that is thick and strong, securing the shovel with two nylon straps that go over the shoulders of the shovel, held by snaps. It hols the shovel very well, and the shovel fits snugly inside. The edges are riveted and heavily built. A belt loop is attached at the bottom of the sheath.
The Russian variant in made from the typical greenish brown canvas that has been used for many years. A small black leather strap with buckle secures the shovel. The strap has three holes, and a metal retaining ring for the slack. The mouth of the sheath is reinforced with extra canvas. The Russian sheath has two belt loops made of heavy cotton webbing.
Of the two sheaths, both are very serviceable. I prefer the closure method of the Cold Steel variant but prefer the placement of the belt loops on the Russian sheath.
Now, let's check out the shovels themselves (front and back):
Cold Steel's shovel (unsheathed) measures in at a total length of 20.5"/52cm. The width at the widest point of the blade is just under 6"/15cm. The blade is sharpened from the factory and has quite a sharp edge, and is painted glossy black. The thickness of the blade is .082"/2mm. The handle is some kind of hardwood, with a straight even grain. It is 16"/40.6cm long and attaches to the blade with two large flat head Phillips wood screws. The handle is finished with what appears to be clear polyurethane, and has a swell near the bottom. Replacement handles are available if needed.
The original 1984 dated Soviet shovel (unsheathed) measures in at a total length of 20.25"/51.4cm, just under the Cold Steel shovel. The width of the blade at it's widest point measures just under 6"/15cm, identical to Cold Steel. The Russian blade is not sharpened and is painted matte black. The thickness of the blade is also right at .082"/2mm, identical to Cold Steel's product. It should be noted than in it's advertising, Cold Steel claims there blade is "twice as thick" as an original Russian variant, which may be true of some production runs but not this 1984 dated one. The handle is 15.275"/39mm long. made of an unknown wood, perhaps teak, and seems to be oil stained. It uses smaller wood screws to attach to the blade. Also, the swell at the bottom of the handle is more pronounced than Cold Steel's.
Compared, both shovels seem to be of the same weight and balance the same in the hand. I prefer the feel of the handle on the Russian variant. It is rougher, and the swell near the bottom of the handle allows for a more positive grip. The slick polyurethane on the Cold Steel shovel doesn't offer as good of a grip but it's not bad. The Cold Steel does have the benefit of a factory-sharpened blade that is quite good, but will chip and dent if abused on something other than wood and dirt (guilty as charged
). It makes chopping and cutting tasks much easier as you can imagine, and is beneficial for defensive use.Really, you can't go wrong with either of these great shovels. The Cold Steel shovel can be had for less than $20 USD without the sheath. With the sheath, expect to pay as little as $25 if you shop around. Original Russian issue shovels are more expensive, but still affordable. eBay is a great source and you can get unissued examples in the $50-$60 range or even quite a bit less if you catch a deal. If think it's worth it for the collector's value and "cool factor", but as a used the Cold Steel is every bit as good.
Both of these shovels are extremely well constructed, and are incredibly tough. This design is very practical, both as a tool and a weapon. They are useful for everything from chopping down small trees and clearing light brush, digging yourself a slit trench, to defending yourself from attack. They are ideal to throw in the trunk or in a backpack. If you don't own one of these, I highly recommend getting one.
Thanks all!
