Making a Spetsnaz Shovel out of a Regular Garden Shovel.

This is a walk-through of how I made my survival (Spetsnaz) pack shovel from a flat garden shovel. All it takes is a few tools and a little time and you could have one too. These garden shovels can be acquired from any hardware store or home improvement store for quite cheap.
I hope you enjoy this video. Thanks for watching.
#tloao #spetsnazshovel

[@coffeeandlifting]

Great project. I tried welding the seam on a garden shovel like that and split the weld the same way. Trick is to lay a piece of stock over that seam and weld the stock onto it instead of trying to weld the seam itself. I tried that on a whim and it is crazy strong now.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Nice. I think the reason it split the first time was because I didn't weld it fully. I only put some small stitches. Glad to hear someone is trying it.

[@smeagle6092]

I chose not to weld the seam I think you can get a tighter fit and figured the screws would hold the handle on.

[@longrider42]

And if you break the handle in the field, your in trouble. Which is why the Cold Steel version, the head is held onto the handle with screws. I love mine and I've replaced the handle with one made from oak. Much stronger then what it comes with. But you did a nice job.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Thanks. The metal rivets are stronger to begin with, but your right. If it snaps in the field you are sunk.

[@greatwhitenorthlife2327]

Quite an upgrade from the original! Nice work.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Thanks man!

[@mikec1096]

you are a craftsman.. thanks for sharing!

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Thanks for the compliment! You are very welcome.

[@theguywitheyebrows]

great idea, and execution!! will likely do something similar soon! thanks for the video and inspiration!!

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Thanks for the compliment. It is quite rewarding once you are done.

[@janerodgers8407]

neat shovel, Love the video's!!!

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@annawaterman8813]

Nice shovel! Great job!

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Thank you!

[@stefanschmidt9265]

Hi Good job. *thumpup*

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Thanks man!

[@felixcat9318]

What an interesting and enjoyable video this is, and a very neat outcome! Subscribed.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Thank you for the kind words and the subscription. I am glad you enjoyed it.

[@andrewbrown6522]

I made mine from a tree planters shovel. Absolutely bomb proof. I also made the handle the same dimensions as a socketed knife i have so my walking stick fits either as a pole.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

That is pretty neat. Multi purpose is good. Saves weight and energy.

[@tednjessdamman7089]

I found this very informative I'm sure we all have something to say about how we would have made it differently. Yours looks like it would work as intended.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Glad you liked it. There are some things that I would even change if I did it again. It works great for what I need!

[@brianvannorman1465]

Okay. That IS very nice. So make a sheath for it to go on your belt or ruck. I am a little dubious on the economics of your new toy. I understand that making the toy is the fun part, and I hope you get a lot of enjoyment out of it. Yet, I'd have gone second hand shovel route, myself. Breathe new life into an old piece of junk sort of thing. Hello from San Diego California. Salud! (Cheers!)

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

San Diego! Sweet. Part of the reason for new is that I wanted it to be a certain shape of blade (not to angled or curved) and thickness. We did not have one kicking around that was the shape I was looking for. If I had one, I definitely would have. Salud!

[@mikewatson8521]

Not bad ,cool idea .

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Thanks eh!

[@homeyv]

I was thinking for a 2nd why not just get a Cold Steel and then I remembered that I also love hand-making/modifying my own tools. Neat video!

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Thanks. That is exactly the idea. You get the pleasure and satisfaction of making it yourself. And they were sold out of the cold steel ones:)

[@TylerSnyder305]

Regular shovels ( if you buy a good one ) also have improved design features.

[@wagtailt.v.759]

Dope video. 🤙

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Why thank you!

[@GT_Racer347]

Niiiice 👌 💯

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Thanks and happy new year!

[@jasonbennett9995]

Nice brother God bless from Canada eh

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Hey, a fellow Canadian! May God bless you too eh!

[@badas45]

Very cool I have a really old crappy shovel around here somewhere I want a spetsnz shovel I might give it a try

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

You should totally do it and let us know how it goes.

[@r3securitysystems231]

Great video. I'm impressed! I love the "woodsy" backdrop, and I am impressed with your "shovel throwing" skills and how well that things sticks into the wood. All round awesome weapon! If you ever decide to make them and sell them, let me know. (I'm sure that with the amount of labour involved it would be pricey?) Or are they available commercially through retail somewhere? Thanks for the great video once again.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Thanks. There is definitely more labour involved than it would be to just buy one, but you get the enjoyment of making your own. Cold Steel sells one that is basically a replica of the russian spetsnaz shovel.

[@Gator-357]

To avoid the handle splitting, you have to add either a full length piece of stock or rings of stock welded along the length, otherwise there isn't enough there to male a good solid weld and it will split at some point. I took a torch and heated up the handle and coated it with a mixture of 1/4 olive oil, 1/4 coconut oil and 1/2 bees wax, let it dry wipe off the excess, repeat 2 times a day for a week then once a month. I also sharpened one side at a 23° angle for chopping and making kindling, the opposite side at 19° for slicing and making feather sticks or wood curls, with the two angled edges sharpened at 35° to aid in chopping through roots and seasoned the shovel head as you would a cast iron skillet so I can use it to cook on if needs be, added an adjustable paracord lanyard loop and wrapped the handle with no.36 twisted bank line and stainless steel aircraft saftey wire. If you make the handle fit tight and smack it home good there is no need to add cross pins or screws and it will allow you to remove the handle and add a longer one for hard or prolonged digging and/or adding a branch with and off shoot to fashion the shovel into a sort of hoe for breaking up te ground and digging trenches and to be used as a rake for clearing leaves, pine needles and other debris from a large area for setting up a tent or fire pit. Or you can use removeable wood screws or drywall screws to secure the handles, if you wish.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

This is excellent. All great ideas. I'm glad you made one yourself. It is a rewarding project with endless possibilities.

[@grace_O.O.O_O.O.O]

ooooh, I want one. Bought the shovel....just need the outdoorsman to make it for me...."uh hem...hint, hint G.E.R" ;-)

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Ya, I may just have to do that ;) Haha!

[@edwardpratt5172]

For added utility you can cut saw teeth into one side of the shovel, so you have an all-in one emergency shovel/axe/saw.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

You could definitely do that. I am more of a non serrated guy myself.

[@baroneroberto3400]

Serrated edges on that shovel be useless... serrated edges in knives just as useless...

[@oddjobbob8742]

I wouldn’t shorten the “ferrell.” The little bit of weight it adds is worth the large amount of strength it adds. Welding the seam is a great idea. I would have scored the foot tabs and bent them back then maybe welded them in place. Shaping the handle to extend into the tunnel is a great idea.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

I agree with what you say. I think you would only need that extra strength if you were really abusing it. I have thrown it and it seems to be solid still, but leaving it long would give you that extra strength. It may however make the shaping of the handle more diffacult. Those tabs won't get the abuse that a full length shovel would get from your foot so it may not be all that beneficial to bend them over and weld. Great idea though. It would add a good bit of strength.

[@oddjobbob8742]

@@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman yes, very good points. And there isn’t necessarily a right or wrong way. You have a fine tool and all the more so for having done much of the design and fabrication yourself. Your video was well worth watching. Thank you for taking the time to share your skills and for your kind reply.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

@@oddjobbob8742 thanks for the kind comment. I appreciate it. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@jetfox1201]

FOR THE EMPEROR

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Why not!

[@fustercluck2460]

Im not sure if this would be a hardenable steel, but if you removed the handle, you could possibly heat treat the shovel. Add mud or clay to the middle and try leaving only a half inch to an inch of the edge exposed. Use a blow torch to get it up to temperature and quench it. Water will work, but isnt ideal. Try a file before and after and see if it "skates" over the blade after the quench. If successful, it will allow the edge of the shovel to better hold an edge and resist warping, while keeping the interior parts softer since they were covered with clay preventing heating. 😊

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

That is a great point and a whole other level to this. Typically, shovel blades are some sort of harder steel (not necessarily hardened), and you could likely harden them. This one didn't seem to loose it's edge really so I don't think I'll worry about hardening. It is a good thought, though, when making one.

[@diamond_psina558]

It's all good and fancy, nicely done, but i'm having one question right away. How's this thing for it's actual purpose, meaning digging?

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Thanks. It does dig, but it is more for a camping/survival situation.

[@Shaker73]

Oh my jesus

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Yes, praise God for the things we can accomplish with our hands.

[@andrejmucic5003]

You should have left the foot tabs, they weren't hurting nobody. Great job. Love the extra length.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Haha, True. I guess I was thinking it would maybe get in the way when chopping and it just looks unproportional too. Functionally it would probably be better to leave them I suppose.

[@stableyetfun]

I'm sure that others would like to see this shovel in action. I know I would.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

I would too. Haha. Unfortunately I am now living in an area where I cannot use it all that often. I'll try to fit it in at some point. I do use it in my birch twig tea video if you want to check that one out.

[@jeffbarker4067]

Why did you shorten the neck of the shovel? For weight?

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

I shortened it a bit so that I would get a bit more handle. It would be fine to leave long if you wanted to. I just thought it had a little better proportions if I shortened it.

[@jeffbarker4067]

Thanx

[@nathanadrian7797]

Where to start, you did a great job, but I think you made some mistakes. 1- you chose a shovel with a large raised center- not as good for a frying pan. 2- you shortened the blade reducing its use as both a paddle and a frying pan 3- if you break the handle, after you burn out the old handle , the rivets prevent fitting of a new handle. Screws would make the handle replaceable. 4- a longer handle can be shortened in the bush, but a short handle can't be lengthened.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Thanks for the comment. I agree with your points. The reason I went the way I did is so that I could beat it up (throwing, chopping, etc...) and it will hold up. I also didn't want anything too flat for the same reason. Now, if this was more of a backup type shovel that would be used once in a survival situation, then the way you described it would be definitely the way to go.

[@bushcampcrafter2165]

What is the overall length ??

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

I had to go measure it since I just guessed when I made it. Just over 24 inches.

[@abandonedotter4270]

Pretty cool but a Spetsnaz shovel is only like 12 dollars USD. i just bought one a month ago.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

You have a point. I guess you'd have to approach it as practicing/learning new skills. It is definitely not worth the time spent when you can buy one cheap. It is more of a fun project for anyone that has an unused garden shovel kicking around and time to spend. Not sure about purchased ones as I have never had one, but this one has some good strength to it.

[@garybryson1900]

I think I would have left the metal shovel part alone and just shortened the wooden handle. But to each his own.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

That would be too short of a video. Haha. On a serious note. As you said it is up to whomever is making it. I wanted to put some more work into it. To go that extra mile as they say. But you definitely don't have to.

[@garybryson1900]

@@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman Yes, it would have shortened it a right smart. I didn't mean to criticize. I enjoyed watching your video, and you did fine with the shovel.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

@@garybryson1900 No, it is all good. I did not think of your comment in a bad way. I was just trying to make a bit of a joke from it. Your comment is 100% valid and I appreciate it. I am glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate the feedback.

[@TylerSnyder305]

If you start with a good quality shovel ( don't know where this one is made ) you could have a significantly better tool. The Russian shovels ( general military issue actually) are pretty soft and thin and really just not designed as well as a regular shovel.. Upturned steps are better than downturned, and a socket that sits higher above the shovel blade is better too. I just don't like how the handle end is so exposed on the bottom, nor do I like the down turned foot steps which drag when you're trying to dig.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Those are fair points and I would tend to agree with you.

[@wernerpanchenko6542]

Soak it in linseed oil

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

This is the way!

[@werewolf74]

couldnt you just push the handle forward flexing it before the weld? just a thought. 15 seconds after i type this, as it plays, you broke the weld :P

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Ya, the way it is shaped you can't. I had to taper the end of the handle quite a bit in order for it to go in as far as it does.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Ya, the way it is shaped you can't. I had to taper the end of the handle quite a bit in order for it to go in as far as it does.

[@dickhurtz1862]

EBay sells the cold steel version for $20

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

That is the easy way for sure. You'd get the appreciation of home made with this one though.

[@dickhurtz1862]

@@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman not the same quality.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

@@dickhurtz1862 with this one? No. The cold steel shovel is designed to do the things that this one tries to do. As far as strength goes, they would both be a higher carbon steel. This one is most likely an alloy too. And they are the same thickness of steel, but there is a reason spetsnaz shovels are designed the way they are with the shape that they are. Mine is more for a fun project and because I like making my own stuff.

[@dickhurtz1862]

@@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman sorry wasn't trying to start anything, glad you like making your own stuff. Good video.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

@@dickhurtz1862 I know. Me neither. TBH I was going to get the cold steel shovel, but when I went on their website they were sold out so I was like, "I can make one of those instead" and then I did. Not near the quality, but it works. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@addisonesslinger3653]

Nice job but I don't understand how this is really better than the original shovel. Unless one just enjoys bending over more to dig a hole

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Haha. Nice one. Slightly different purpose though. If you had to carry it across a really big garden then you wouldn't be as tired out since it weighs a lot less now. That's a plus.

[@bypyhgyk]

Made a baby shovel from an adult shovel.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

True, but is a more useful shovel if you don't garden like me.

[@sanjivjhangiani3243]

If you are going on a long hike or cross country ski, you need a small shovel that fits on the side of your backpack.

[@andrewyeong-169ayc8]

The spine is too much for the shovel to be useful to cook.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

Ya, that makes sense. I'd only do it in a survival situation if I needed to and I had like 2 of them or something. It is a good thought process to have when in a survival situation as well.

[@andrewyeong-169ayc8]

@@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman but then again, cooking on a shovel would be a last resort in any situation. 😅

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

@@andrewyeong-169ayc8 true enough!

[@user-pv2hh7eq1l]

Ну, взял и испортил лопату. Ботаник.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

ботаники все еще могут его использовать. Им просто нужно будет подойти ближе к земле.

[@theoneandonlycarlton]

Why Not Just Spend The $25 Bucks Man? HAHAHAHAHA

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

I could have, but then I wouldn't have the satisfaction and skill from making it. Besides they were all sold out at the time.

[@joedoakes8307]

WHY , in the name of common sense would would you remove the flat foot metal push surfaces ? Those are there for digging , which is an essential function in survival ! Lots of soldiers survived combat in WW2 because they dug themselves a Foxhole for evading artillery barrages !

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

They were not removed completely. I cut them in about half. They are still functional, and my guess is the handle is short enough that it would be very awkward to use your foot on them anyway. Traditional "army" shovels do not usually have huge push surfaces either.

[@Delta922]

If you don't have the tools, be cheaper just to buy cold steel shovel bruh.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

At the time it was backordered. It was also just a fun project. Something to practice skills on too.

[@Delta922]

@@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman Well you did a great job. I'd definitely try it if I had the tools.

[@TheLifeofanOutdoorsman]

@@Delta922 thank you.