Spetznatz Machete

[tedw]

Anybody ever had any experience of one of these:

http://secure.sovietski.com/cgi-bin/...ct/View/200610

Looks like a fun toy, but is it of any practical use?

Ted W

[Nod]

Not seen one of those before............but I do like the Spetznaz throwing shovel advertsied at the bottom of the page.

[Adi007]

I wonder if you can make feather sticks with it!

[Nod]

I can't believe they teach them 20 ways to defend yourself using a shovel.

I was taught one way. Dig a hole, and get in it. It might not protect you, but it certainly makes the clearing up afterwards a lot easier.

Ted, if you get one I'd be interested to see what you think. I have often found that tools with too many uses don't get used. For instance I'd never have a use for a hole to measure angles etc.

I suppose you have to weigh up the uses you'd have for it, if it's just going to be chopping then you'd maybe be better off getting an ordinary machete, billhook or an axe.

[stevec]

as to defending yourself with a shovel or a spade, it might be worth noting that during the defence of Stalingrad, the Russians favorite weapon was a spade, with all the edges sharpened, in fact, as a weapon it was so valued that when they went to sleep, they slept on their spade to stop others stealing it. i for one don't fancy being attacked with a sharpened spade, that would do a lot of damamge.

[Stuart]

Russians favorite weapon was a spade

that doesnt say much for there weapons

[Viking]

In Ray Mears Book Bushcraft om page 40 there is a picture of a "swedish army entrenching tool". When i did my army service we had to hav the edges sharp on it. Mostsly because we cut down smaller trees with it but also to be used as a weapon.

You can use a spade for many things :-D

[stevec]

stuart, yeah you're right, but the russians did a good job on the germans with them. mind you the luftwaffe smashed the city up so much left lots of little hidy holes, and then the army had to go in and clear it all by hand. opps, its ok lads the shelling will cut through the wire, now remember walk towards the enemy machine guns don't run :shock:

[sargey]

i've got the cold steel version of the spetznatz spade, great piece of kit 8-)

iirc, chris kavenaugh had one of the spetznatz machetes, he loathed it! of course it could've been the triangle russki airforce machete, (seen here used by astronauts doing survival training, top video on this page http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/history/...av-other-2.htm )

cheers, and.

[Keith_Beef]

Fred Perrin loves his shovel.

http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/S.../shovelrev.htm


Keith.

[maddave]

Fred Perrin loves his shovel.

http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/S.../shovelrev.htm


Keith.

That's possibly the most disturbing site I've seen this year :shock:

[ChrisKavanaugh]

I met the Spetsnatz survival machete during a minor snafu out on the California Channel Islands. It is robust ( heavy), of indifferent metallurgy with enough whistle and bell features to shame the Tom Brown Tracker knife, Hood's Woods ATAX and Rambo's Lyle knives. I've found it can perform most of the chores associated with it's many features reasonably well. Most of these tools are either to big and awkward or paradoxically to small for optimum efficiency. I have come to dislike this whole genre of tools. Our ancestors had generations to refine tools into superb patterns. If these things are such good ideas the workers at Grime's Graves would have carved sawbacks in their antler picks and the iceman Oetzi would found with a copper axe featuring an arrowshaft straightener and rangefinding holes. I'll stick with a simple knife, with saw, machete, axe and shovel added as needed.

[Rob]

Fred Perrin loves his shovel.

http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/S.../shovelrev.htm


Keith.

That's possibly the most disturbing site I've seen this year :shock:

That man sure loves his shovel

[boaty]

Fred Perrin loves his shovel.

Is it just me, or does Mr Perrin bear an uncanny resemblance to BOB from Twin Peaks?

[Nod]

Am off to my shed now to see what special forces kit I have lurking in there...maybe an SBS Hoe, or Mosad Rake?

[tedw]

Chris, Thanks :-) - it was the report on your island adventure that got my curiosity going abut the Spetznaz toy and started me surfing for one. Your general comments appeal to my common sense; a purpose built tool is always going to be better than a jack-of-all-trades compromise. Part of the appeal was the "golok with a shovel end" 8-) look of the thing, but if it's heavy and the steel is indifferent, then I think I'll pass.

Maybe if I can pick one up dirt-cheap somewhere I'll give it a go - otherwise you’ve saved me money and a disappointment!

Ted W

[Stuart]

I love my shovel. by Fred perrin

I love my shovel.
I love to throw my shovel.
There is two way to throw my shovel. Two styles.
you won't tell me I am stupide to throw my shovel!
I have thrown hundreds of time my shovel.
In a lot of place with many friends.
you should see him when he throw my shovel !
I love my shovel.
My shovel can cut trees ! This is a mighty tool!
Oh I forgot my shovel is good also to dig ! It's a shovel don't you forget !
But mine cut and flies !
You see a shovel is a mighty weapon not only a superb cutting tool for watermellon

:rolmao: :tw:

A scary but somwhat amusing site

[/b]

[sargey]

fred perrin might seem a nutter, but he's a very, very capable nutter.

but he's right about the spade. some people may find his site disturbing, but it's an information source. that information is probably useful to someone else.

cheers, and.