Cold Steel - Special Forces Shovel Review

After getting fed up with entrenchment tools breaking I now use a cold steel Special Forces Shovel for camping & Bushcraft.
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[@jamesellsworth9673]

ALONE Season 3 winner Zach Fowler chose exactly this as one of his 10 ITEMS. He was out there 87 days. It and a serious saw replaced an axe. He cut something like 150 steps into a hill with this shovel; kept it sharp with a multitool file; used it to limb small trees and to process firewood. And, for fun and TV flair, he threw it often and unerringly into tree trunks. Then he brought it home and used it some more.

[@zacchcanavan5390]

I love his channel, and greg ovens

[@felixcat9318]

He actually took a felling axe too.

[@boomshanka8743]

I have had one for years, they are like the trailhawk in that once a few things are done to them they become an indispensable tool. I sanded the handle and finished it with stain and oil, and I removed the powder coat on the head and cold blued the steel. It always comes along on canoe camps.

[@MHarenArt]

Well, I'm not a camper, but I can tell you I wouldn't mind having one of these for my gardening!!!

[@kentsurvivalgearreview586]

its a handy tool.. ill probably keep it in my truck :)

[@PeterAlts]

This is my number one tool that I always take with me all year round. 95% of all my trips I take cold steel shovel, a small Finnish knife and a folding Sven saw. These are the light tools I always carry with me and it works perfectly fine. I do have few axes and also Esse 5 knife but I mostly use them for my winter car expeditions to split large chunks of wood for my stove. With time I realized that carrying an axe is not always useful. This shovel is a perfect tool. I even use it for wood carving, a lovely small hatchet.

[@Kathy_Is_Blessed]

Looks like a great shovel! When I need one, this is the one I will look for. Thanks Andy!

[@bryanbadger6841]

Good Nz morning Andy. I shouted myself a Gerber Folding Entrenchment tool about 2 + years ago. First thing i did once i got home, run it over a grinder to sharpen the edge. On hindsight a visit to our local Army Surplus Store would have been useful. However this one you've reviewed looks a gutsy one eh. Thankyou for taking the time to review it for us. Take care and stay safe.

[@ericstoever9577]

Another good review. Thank you for sharing!

[@andrewforrest8592]

Awesome video Andy, I'm going to buy one good piece of kit for camping, thank you Andy for the info.

[@kentsurvivalgearreview586]

Cheers Andrew

[@sdsi68]

Thanks Andy, I saw another KZbinr using it and he definitely liked it, been waiting awhile for someone else to do a review, going to buy it in the near future 🤙🤙🤙

[@NYDRAINS]

I've seen this shovel on an advertising for the company themselves but I think 🤔 I would trust your judgment way better! Thanks 👍😎

[@nickhurt9268]

Unfortunately, cold steel decided to discontinue selling the wood replacement handles. Sucks because I need 2 of them!

[@brandweerquest]

As always, a good and interesting video. De shovel looks to me a sturdy one. Swedish and German army use to have a similar shovel. With a leather pouch and a rair alluminium axtention for snow digging. The best tool is the tool you have on you. I choose for the Dutch foldeble shovel. Lighter, compact, portable and often in use as a place to sit on....in L-shape. :-) OK, I admit, the soil is sand here. It never failed on me.

[@marjiecleveland]

A much better shovel than the folding one that can break. I have the folding one and when it does break some day, I'm going to replace it with the wood handle one. Love wood anyway! Thanks for the review. Great shovel.

[@andyrr30]

Great little shovel, did smirk at the undo the handle and use it for other things......Nice review and now we know why you and Simon were not at the main camp if you have a build going on ;-)

[@utahjohnnymontana3373]

I've looked at these but ended up with a surplus Swiss e-tool. Its got the straight wooden handle but the head folds and can lock at 90 degrees like a mattock. Its a handy camp shovel.

[@TheWarriorsMind]

I actually own two. One with the regular handle and one with a longer handle I made. Both work great.

[@MrMann703]

Can’t wait for mine to arrive, i have a few cold steel products and I can’t complain about any of them

[@MistaBrown420]

For anyone in the US knife center has them for 20$ and if you get the sheath with it the shipping is only ten extra instead of 15 without the sheath so you can get it with the sheath and shipped for 40 bucks out the door.

[@corleyoutdoors2887]

Informative and beneficial video

[@BurtonOutdoors]

Cool shovel, seems up to the job Andy.

[@rogerbond7811]

With that edge it should help with cutting roots when digging.

[@Stoney_AKA_James]

I've got one and really like it

[@alexandergutfeldt1144]

I've owned that shovel for close to two years, but have only used it once or twice. Due to the weight I tend to leave it in the car. When I did use it, it worked really well, especially compared to the abomination the army (Swiss) made me schlepp when I was young (ca 1985ish).

[@kentsurvivalgearreview586]

Im liking it a lot more than e-tools, I am glad I only need to carry a shovel for specific things though.. wouldn't want it always on the pack haha

[@ARAW-__-]

Love that Shovel ! I upgraded the handle and blade, video is on my channel

[@Flexaret]

I have the genuine Russian version, about £18 off ebay, the screws holding the handle on are really small but I replaced them with bigger screws, it'll split logs within reason. Regarding the folding entrenching tool, the only one worth getting is the all steel Army/NATO issue one with the NATO stock number stamped on the blade, there are plenty of lookalikes, even all steel ones but they're garbage. One benefit of the folding one apart from it being compact is that you can use it as a seat by folding the blade and the handle at 90 degrees. That said I do prefer the Russian version in general. p.s. Just recently found your channel, very good, I'm slowly working my way through your previous uploads having subscribed.

[@richardwilson3813]

Great video. Could you make one axes and hatchets?

[@PenDragonsPig]

That reminds me, I have to S H A R P E N mine.

[@krisdirkman2624]

I've had one for many years now and it is awesome! I have used it for an axe, knife and shovel of course. It works really well with roots because it is sharp. If you did need a hoe type of tool you can find a "Y" branch and screw the shovel to it.

[@herbsmith6871]

Love mine 🤠

[@billythepigeon7345]

There's a spetsnaz version available now, longer handle, and the head is a little bigger too, I think. This one does me just fine though. I like the footage of you using it, but no attacking ballistic gel torsos, no ice chops, no throwing it at old barn doors? What gives?

[@kentsurvivalgearreview586]

sounds good! haha, trying to keep these pretty simple.. got a big build video in the works and its taking every spare minute up :p

[@billythepigeon7345]

@@kentsurvivalgearreview586 looking forward to it my man.

[@junichiroyamashita]

I wonder if the head of the bigger one can be put on the small handle.

[@bubba7626]

With a propper Y branch with a large enough 50 - 80 degree angle you can indeed fahion it to a pick hoe shovel or even with a lesser degree you can fahion a grappling hook. It also does baton just fine although you will of course go through batons faster...

[@bdwillis8284]

I love mine.

[@Tom_Bee_]

Mine works. Only complaint I have is that the varnished handle gets slippery when wet, especially if there's clay on it. I'm thinking I might do a little grippy hack...

[@KevinSmith-yh6tl]

Great review Andy, I've had one of these shovels for years,and they work as advertised.

[@brianvannorman1465]

Looks just like mine. Where'd you find it? 🤯 Can't find mine, anywhere.🤨 Hello from San Diego California. 😉

[@claramullen]

Hi Andy This looks very handy. The folding ones are garbage. Thanks for the review take care.

[@vladimirlopez7840]

If you get an Ames E-tool it is almost bomb proof. Not sure what plastic folding tools you guys are buying but the original GI issue Ames is all metal.

[@samsinno454]

Good video. You should add a link for Amazon in the U.S. I tried to help with your link, but it went to Amazon uk and I am in US.

[@andykjohnsonjohnson7622]

Nice review Andy 👍. I had one of those fold up one of Amazon, lasted about 8 months. Only used it 10 - 12 times. American military or something 🤔. What a peace of 🤬.

[@Tony.795]

What wood species is the handle? Doesn't look like hickory.

[@-Sun1111-]

How would you sharpen this?

[@SapperPhish]

I got a Gerber e-tool...which has a crack in it. I reckon it will prob break with further abuse. So when it does...i now know what to get...

[@vukojebina1944]

When I was serving in a section of soldiers, 2 soldiers were paired up (buddy buddy system). One carried a pick axe and one a spade. Both tools were indestructible. I wonder if the spades (which were not collapsible) are available from surplus stores? I am sure they would compare well with this product.

[@Flexaret]

If you're referring to the UK issue 58 pattern spade and pick yeah they were good but the 58 pattern spade is quite hard to get on the surplus market now. Having used the 58 pattern spade, the Issue/NATO folding spade and the genuine Russian spade that the cold steel version is based on the 58 pattern is the best spade due to having a bigger blade and a longer shaft with a T handle but it's more difficult to carry being significantly larger.

[@sanjivjhangiani3243]

Although the Cold Steel Special Forces shovel was quite popular, there are a number of people who prefer something larger. So, Cold Steel recently came out with the "Special Forces Trench Shovel" which is longer and has a larger head.

[@jasonlund6770]

Another great little vid, did you try throwing it?

[@kentsurvivalgearreview586]

cheers Jason.. I have not.. im using it a lot on my current build.. coming soon.. I cant afford to break it haha

[@jasonlund6770]

Kent Survival Gear & Review looking forward to seeing the new build and some footage of you making shakes 👍👍

[@eponaalbion]

@@kentsurvivalgearreview586 Okay but after youve finished you build we wannah see some targets an some throwing, axe style over the head :)

[@beltfedTODDRULZ]

My family and I drink beer and throw tomahawks in the back yard and this shovel is in the mix. I like throwing Hawks better but the shovel is fun and sticks well for me at 15' for a full spin. We have broken the handle from gross abuse, my son threw it so hard once that it split the handle long ways and stuck it in our 2x4 lumber target! but I fixed it with fiberglass cloth and resin.

[@Celtics-fj5le]

Like I've always said, alcohol and weapons, what could possibly go wrong? 😁😁😁

[@oldfarmshow]

👍

[@eponaalbion]

Cold Steel do good products, are there any folding ones that actually work and dont loosen or flop around?

[@kentsurvivalgearreview586]

I likem, have their tomahawk too. There is probably some better E-tools than others but im just not willing to keep buying them to find the good ones haha

[@eponaalbion]

@@kentsurvivalgearreview586 Thanks for the reply Andy, looking forward to the shelter. -- Products promise so much an deliver so little, been there with buying things, youd think certain brands or paying more equals a better product but thats not always the case an with the market flooded these days its very confusing, traditional would be a good bet as theres a reason things were made an built as they were.

[@Flexaret]

The genuine NATO issue all steel version is the only folding one worth getting in my opinion, it'll have a NATO stock number stamped on the blade and a short serrated section on one edge. They still loosen off a little but they are the best folding option

[@Thebigmanmetaldetecting]

The real Army issue tri-fold trenching spade it's full steel construction and doesn't break easily there pretty indestructible

[@vladimirlopez7840]

Yes I have the Ames E-tool. Not sure what plastic fantastic he’s using but the Ames is almost bomb proof.

[@kylec166]

Watch the video from cold steel what they put it through on you tube tough

[@gregorclegane3674]

I added a laser sight on mine 🔥😈🔥

[@UNKNOWNUNKNOWN-tw2iz]

He really enjoyed slapping that shovel

[@tamc1766]

Amazon charge £58 ....... Good tool .....bulletproof design

[@felixcat9318]

Have you tried the genuine Fiskars/Gerber NATO Folding Spade rather than the poor quality clones which (as you discovered) break apart? I'd read a review from a serving soldier whom was issued the genuine Fiskars/Gerber NATO Folding Spade when he joined his country's military and he'd used it extensively and hard (and it had already been in use prior to him being issued it). He was very impressed with its ability to dig and that it was 'soldier proof' and proved reliable. On the basis of that review I bought one and was impressed with the high quality of the individual components and the overall tool. I also liked the Cold Steel Spade and ended up buying a titanium spade from Russia which was apparently issued to Russian soldiers. Its absolutely rock solid and digs well, though I expect I'll still buy the Cold Steel Spade as I've always liked them and am curious to try one out in comparison to the Fiskars/Gerber and the Russian titanium spade. Edited to say that I have now bought the Cold Steel Special Forces Shovel and their Spetznaz Trench Shovel too. First time I held the CSSF Shovel I immediately appreciated what all the fuss was about! The ergonomics are superb, and the quality and manufacting are very high quality. Upon holding it, I could instantly appreciate why soldiers used their shovels for very close quarters combat! I still prefer my GB Hatchet and CSSF Shovel as stand alone tools, rather than restrict myself to just one or the other.

[@rollins2922]

✅

[@BinManSays87]

You know if you go to a proper builders yard you'll probably find a proper D or T handled mini spades that clearly have hardened steel heads as I've snapped the tip off one at my old job....we called it the teaspoon

[@lankey6969]

Both.

[@MOOSEDOWNUNDER]

There are no SF issued intrenching tools people, just bog standard kit. No idea about the Russians mind you. Having said that, one of the regiments Sgt's lobed an ISIS K members head off with one in 2018 during a contact in Afghan after it all went South. Yanks saved the day with heli's as its rumoured the patrol was down to chucking grenades and using rifle buts and in this case, a farmers shovel in the homestead they held up in. lol. Gold. I like the look of it Andy. Nice firm handle you can replace with a long poll. Handy kit.

[@TheOtherBill]

There's one very similar, if not the same, used by the Russian military. I'd love to see a side-by-side comparison with that one.

[@Flexaret]

@@TheOtherBill The Cold Steel shovel is based on the regular issue Russian shovel (the Special Forces tag is sales pitch) The Cold steel version is slightly heavier gauge steel, has larger screws holding the handle on and probably better wood used for the handle. There's a comparison on KZbin, possibly Dave Canterbury. I have the Russian one and happy with it, the Cold Steel one looks good too but slightly more expensive at least in the UK but still not expensive.

[@TheOtherBill]

@@Flexaret Thanks!

[@vladimirlopez7840]

That entrenchment tool has a lot of plastic. If you get the old Ames E-tool it’s all metal.

[@Swampshack_Mike]

Approved by товарищ майор

[@BrianthatiscalledBrian]

Looks like it will do the job digging a hole in the forest so that you can do a job in the forest. 😁

[@magneto263]

Buy it.

[@degeneratemii9032]

Both? 🤷🏻

[@iamfuckingyourwaifuandther2743]

There is this new thing called cleaning. You can do it to keep your shovel from looking like it has shit all over it after you use it. Pretty magical.

[@francisagosh2175]

Wish it folded so you could use it as a pic

[@lskovly]

Cold Steel Axevel....

[@maxwellmortimermontoure7274]

I believe that is the gerber E-tool. It’s a piece of shit. My aluminum and steel trifold is a beast. I worked in surplus and have handled hundreds or thousands of these tools. Have seen some insanely well used aluminum E tools and lots of broken Gerbers with plastic handles.

[@nseight]

:-)

[@EricDaMAJ]

It’s an awesome tool but the whole “Spetznatz” thing is pure marketing by Cold Steel. The design is from the basic Russian entrenching tool issued to every Russian soldier since WW II. .

[@ryanwisbey3387]

Hiya only catching up with videos so I'm a tad behind. If you get a genuine NATO shovel I guarantee it will not break. Copies will. Ex military by the way

[@jfilm7466]

And it is NOT a knife (UK)

[@SMITHYSKONTIKI]

Just shows simple is always best. Nasa spent a fortune inventing a pen that would work upside down in space?? The Russians took a pencil!

[@kentsurvivalgearreview586]

This is true. however Nasa were concerned about how dangerous the broken tip of a pencil could be in zero gravity.. wouldn't want it going it your eye.. let alone shavings :p haha

[@coops9871]

Special forces shovel? What Special forces use this???

[@kentsurvivalgearreview586]

Russian is the one its modelled on and others use very similar designs.. sure I mentioned it in the video.

[@Swampshack_Mike]

Its gonna be the shovel for me ура россия 🇷🇺

[@waynelee8808]

1st