Genuine Saperka (Russian Spade) ?

[tetra_neon]

Hi guys

Is the 'Saperka' at the bottom of this page http://www.rusmilitary.com/html/cold_steel.htm likely to be a genuine Rus made item, or a Chinese knock-off?

Also, has anyone ordered from these guys before?

Cheers

 

[Beardy]

I haven't bought from them before, but have been warned off by another when considering buying an M4 parka from them... I didn't go through with the order so nothing definitive either way - you could buy it on credit card so you are covered perhaps?

I'm not sure of the provenance of their entrenching tools either, but Cold Steel do make a version of it, so that could be worth bearing in mind if finding an ex-Russian one proves tricky.

 

[MSkiba]

I got a saperka, but a east german one. Its foldable and comes in rain camp. when set at 90degreed, im able to stab it into a tree and it holds my weight, just to give you an idea how strong they are. Ive had it for years, solid as a rock.

Also look at the polish ones if you need a solid one, rather than these flimsy ones that fold into a matchbox sixe and come with a pick axe too.

 

[Melonfish]

only bought a few things from rusmil, honestly i consider them overly expensive.
mostly for my russian gear i went to either Russia or America for it (internet that is) and found it cheaper even with shipping.
although none of the sites i have listed have any of these spades.
Dmitry over at Soviet-propaganda.com should be able to get hold of one for you mind. he can generally get any russian kit.

 

[Beardy]

I got a saperka, but a east german one. Its foldable and comes in rain camp. when set at 90degreed, im able to stab it into a tree and it holds my weight, just to give you an idea how strong they are. Ive had it for years, solid as a rock.

Also look at the polish ones if you need a solid one, rather than these flimsy ones that fold into a matchbox sixe and come with a pick axe too.

I had an East German entrenching tool too, the folding type with a wooden handle and a black head. Keyhole-shaped hole in the centre of the head for removing nails with, 'MADE IN DDR' (in English of all things!) stamped into it, saw edge down one side of the head, chopping edge down the other, no pick like the West German one, comes in a 'strichtarn' canvas cover. It's the best E tool I've ever gotten my hands on, solid as a rock, packed with tools and much better than the NATO tri-fold one in my opinion.

Anyone know where I can get my hands on another one? I took the head of my East German one and put it on the NATO tri-fold handle to get it to pack down smaller (best of both worlds with that head on it, but it does weigh a bit), and the remaining NATO head and East German handle have been united into one (that doesn't fold unfortunately, since the attachment block on the NATO head is too big to rotate it) that is now carried in the boot of the car, but I would love to get hold of a proper old East German one again just to use 'as is'.

 

[Mike8472]

Iv ordered one at the weekend from rusmilitary; so ill be able to let you know how genuine they are when it arrives. I phoned them on saturday and they said they had 8 in stock. Mine should arrive wed or thurs.

I have bought a few in the past from a ukrainian seller on ebay; i cant remember his seller name but they are always priced at £15-20. They were genuine from old warehouse stock but the quality varied. Ive had 4 altogether from them.

Ive got one of the coldsteel versions too. Imho its pants compared to gen russian ones. I just use it for emergency car shovel incase i get stuck in snow etc.

 

[MrEd]

I had an East German entrenching tool too, the folding type with a wooden handle and a black head. Keyhole-shaped hole in the centre of the head for removing nails with, 'MADE IN DDR' (in English of all things!) stamped into it, saw edge down one side of the head, chopping edge down the other, no pick like the West German one, comes in a 'strichtarn' canvas cover. It's the best E tool I've ever gotten my hands on, solid as a rock, packed with tools and much better than the NATO tri-fold one in my opinion.

Anyone know where I can get my hands on another one? I took the head of my East German one and put it on the NATO tri-fold handle to get it to pack down smaller (best of both worlds with that head on it, but it does weigh a bit), and the remaining NATO head and East German handle have been united into one (that doesn't fold unfortunately, since the attachment block on the NATO head is too big to rotate it) that is now carried in the boot of the car, but I would love to get hold of a proper old East German one again just to use 'as is'.

endicotts have the west german one, i have two and they are superb and realy far superior than the tri-fold ****e

http://www.endicotts.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=785, and if you live anywhere near junction 10 of the m25 addlestone army surplus have the east german version

 

[Beardy]

Thanks a ton MrEd, will have to give them a bell and see if one can be posted, that's a bit out of my way but then again they are seriously handy tools to have. Not tried the West German one but looks pretty solid and the price is good too. Hmmm...

 

[tetra_neon]

Iv ordered one at the weekend from rusmilitary; so ill be able to let you know how genuine they are when it arrives. I phoned them on saturday and they said they had 8 in stock. Mine should arrive wed or thurs.

Nice, Mike. Let us know if they're any good!

 

[MrEd]

Thanks a ton MrEd, will have to give them a bell and see if one can be posted, that's a bit out of my way but then again they are seriously handy tools to have. Not tried the West German one but looks pretty solid and the price is good too. Hmmm...

i use the west german one for my other hobby of mine exploration, its a really bombproof bit of kit, the other advantage is you can strip it and service it and the mechanism doesnt jam due to the design it can be oiled easily.

im not sure if the east german ones in addlestone are genuine or chink knock offs i only glimpsed them as i was buying some other stuff, i will get their phone number next time i drive past as their website seems to be down,

i can supply pics of the west german one if you like

 

[Beardy]

Just called up Addlestone, unfortunately they were out of the Eastie beastie bits of kit... O well, the hunt goes on

 

[Magentus]

used by Special Forces as a throwing shovel, also known as "Saperka"

***?

What's the difference between a throwing shovel and a......................well, shovel?

 

[MrEd]

Just called up Addlestone, unfortunately they were out of the Eastie beastie bits of kit... O well, the hunt goes on

really? I was only in there tuesday!! will pop in friday morning if i get time as im sure there were 3 on the shelf. the people that work there arent overly helpful sometimes though

 

[Beardy]

That is surprising, must be some popular bits of kit, or as you say maybe they're not sure what I was on about!

It is these lot that you meant, right? http://www.cylex-uk.co.uk/company/addlestone-army-surplus-15590395.html

Cheers
Beardy

 

[Mike8472]

Magentus,
The russian's train their spetsnaz soldiers in hand to hand fighting with the russian issue shovel, which involves throwing it aswell. Its a martial art form called systema!

There is little difference between these shovels and any other country's version. The russian one has remained the same since the late 1800s .

 

[Magentus]

Cheers Mike - I've heard of systema but didn't know about the shovel aspect -are they trained with any other utensils?

 

[Mike8472]

Just the stuff they would have on them at the time, or that the oponent would. Eg using the oponent's rifle and sling as a restraint.
Mostly though it is hand to hand combat moves teaching how to get out of sticky situations.

 

[MrEd]

That is surprising, must be some popular bits of kit, or as you say maybe they're not sure what I was on about!

It is these lot that you meant, right? http://www.cylex-uk.co.uk/company/addlestone-army-surplus-15590395.html

Cheers
Beardy

yeah thats them, im just surprised that they have sold out in such a short period of time! unless they didnt realise that they are east german shovels, its a bit of a funny shop tbh but now and again has some good bargains.

Just go to Endys, Kev will sort you out with one of the ones on his site, which are imo excellent

 

[Bandis]

I popped into addlestone this morning and can confirm that they still have three of the East German ones in stock. They are the saw edged/keyhole ones and they are asking £20 each for them.

Hope this helps.

 

[MrEd]

I popped into addlestone this morning and can confirm that they still have three of the East German ones in stock. They are the saw edged/keyhole ones and they are asking £20 each for them.

Hope this helps.

bizarre shop isnt it!!