Items such as sapper shovels are popular tools and knives used by soldiers. Having arisen a very long time ago, they have repeatedly proved their universality. Therefore, there is nothing strange in the fact that their use has not stopped even today. It was they who decided to devote this review.
Universal tool in the hands of an infantryman
Each infantryman in the
Soviet Army carries with him a small shovel. When he receives an order to stop, he begins to dig a hole in the ground near him. Within three minutes, he will dig a comfrey 15 centimeters deep so that the bullets whistle safely above his head.
The infantryman uses the same shovel to dig a grave for a fallen comrade. If he does not have an ax in his hands, he uses a blade to cut a loaf of bread. He uses it as an oar when he crosses a wide river on a telegraph pole under enemy fire. And when he receives an order to stop, he again builds an impregnable fortress around himself. He knows how to dig the earth effectively.
Taking the tool in your hand, you can feel that it is sufficiently grasped. The handle is comfortably located in the hand. At the same time, the dimensions do not affect this comfort. The blade mount is quite powerful. In addition, the free end flows smoothly into the knob, improving in this way the grip itself, made in a wide variety of positions. The handle is slightly rough, additionally sanded with sandpaper, slightly scorched over the fire. She does not slip in her hand. Therefore, we can say that to hold the subject does not require much effort. Only that blade can become an ideal extension of the arm, which is a single monolithic tool.
Measurement made easier for soldiers
Sapper blades are not only a tool for tearing the earth: they can also be used for measurement. The gun has a length of 50 centimeters. Two equal lengths - meter. The blade has a width of 15 centimeters and 18 centimeters in length. Remembering this data, a soldier can measure everything he wants.
All three edges of the shovel are as sharp as a knife. It is painted with a dull greenish paint, so it does not reflect direct sunlight. The blade is not only a measurement tool. It is also a guarantee of stability in the most difficult situations.
Official name
Sapper blades appeared, compared with a knife or an ax, not so long ago. For the first time, such a weapon was talked about after the Russo-Turkish war. The infantry had to delve into the ground due to the increased speed of musket bullets. The small blade became the companion of every current soldier. The name "sapper" is not entirely correct. The tool is officially called the "small infantry." But in life, the term "sapper" has still taken root.
Great edged weapon
Over time, the shovel began to be used not only for its intended purpose, but also as a multifunctional universal tool. Yes, and a very effective tool is obtained from a simple shoulder blade. The use of the tool as a weapon was forced during the First World War. The need arose in connection with the lack of a gunshot. Therefore, the sapper shovel began to be used as a cold weapon.
The specifics of positional warfare contributed to the manifestation of savvy among soldiers. As a result of simple actions, the sapper blade was sharpened on three sides. Some time passed, and the combat function of this tool was officially recognized. Over time, it was also decided to develop special kits for close combat, where the shoulder blade was considered as a throwing and cold weapon. Among other things, the operational flexibility of the tool has been greatly expanded.
Use as a kind of body armor
One of the domestic firms produces a sapper titanium blade. It can protect against
TT pistol bullets
. It is proposed to use a shovel as an element of armor. This is not entirely a lie. A shovel is really capable of withstanding bullets. But to use it as a defense is almost impossible. There were cases when a bullet, hitting a shovel, caused such a heavy blow that the front edge of the instrument pierced the body.
Differences from each other
Despite the simplicity of the design - it can even be said to be primitive - the sapper blades differ significantly from each other. The bayonet is made up of two parts - a tubular fabric and a lining for attaching the handle. A rather long tube reaches the middle of the handle and is fixed with rivets.
Now using lighter options. However, such tools have less functionality. The spade bayonet, despite the ribs, is not very durable. Therefore, it becomes difficult to use it. The most common is a simplified shovel, in which the tube for attaching the handle is a bayonet extension. Nevertheless, this design, although it is considered a classic type, is not always reliable, since the tube is short. Thus, it cannot be used to fix a rigid form. The handle is fixed with a nail.
Creating a trench tool abroad
Abroad, some American companies reproduce the Soviet-made shovel of Soviet manufacture. It differs from domestic models only by a more thorough finish and the absence of a folding handle. Trusting Americans advertise a shovel as a formidable weapon of the Soviet special services.
The negative feature of the universal tool, which contributed to the improvement of the model
Despite the obvious features of the sapper shovels, which have a bayonet fixed to the handle, they have one big drawback. They are very long, they are uncomfortable to carry. It is impossible to reduce the size, as this will affect ergonomics.
Thus, a sapper folding and bayonet blade has appeared at the present time, in which the handle is connected to the hinge. The creation of such tools has markedly increased wearing comfort. After all, a folding sapper blade requires much less space. Thus, the length of the tools was reduced to the length of the bayonet. In both cases, high security is ensured. There are simplified versions when an additional section is attached to the spade, extending the handle. She, in turn, is wound on a thread.
Another household model, the Spetsnaz sapper blade, is formed according to the principle of balisong. Such products can already be carried with you in a simple case made of fabric. The presence of a long handle attached to the hinges allows you to use the tool as pliers, crimping tongs or a detonator. In addition, one of the halves accommodates a folding saw (changes in the civilian version -
wrench).The bayonet at all edges of the shovel is sharpened. One of them is made in the form of a saw for metal, capable of sawing a rod with a diameter of 10 mm. The other edge has a curved shape and is used to cut something. The bayonet has two holes for which you can fix the cord.
The tool is made entirely of steel, except for the handle, which consists of wood. The special forces shovel "Spetsnaz" is made for the purpose of use not only as a universal type tool, but also as a cold weapon. There is also a product that has, in addition to a folding bayonet, an optical handle. Inside it is a saw.
Shovels used by German troops
The sizes of those blades that were used in different countries and at different times, practically do not differ. But there is nothing strange about this, since the anthropometric data of people are also not very different. Therefore, trophy shovels were appreciated by almost all soldiers. They could be used in battle without a variety of complementary explanations.
In the German troops, the sapper blade was divided into various models. A similar tool was usually worn by soldiers in a case on the left side. The shovel was attached directly to the belt. The tool had a rectangular steel blade and a wood handle. A similar model has remained unchanged since 1880.
In addition, an identical shovel was actively used in other European countries. A small digging tool blade was usually painted black. The soldiers left the pen unchanged. Moreover, they were guided by the fact that otherwise blisters would remain on their hands. But it is worth noting that the handle was still covered with a varnish layer. The total length reached by the German sapper blade was 50 cm. But you can find models that have a smaller size.
The universal tool has not undergone large-scale changes
Generally speaking, since the 19th century, the sapper shovel has not undergone any major changes. In Soviet times, its production was modeled on, which was designed back in 1983. At the moment, there may still be a sapper blade of the USSR, which was actively used during the war. In addition, in terms of quality, it will be much better than those whose production is now established.
The small shoulder blade of the infantry is strong enough and convenient already because it combines an almost perfect ratio of all characteristics. In the event that the manufacturer decides to take high-quality material as a basis, refuses to equip the instrument with various additional parts, he will be able to release a perfect universal object that will combine combat parameters.
Withstanding a large number of tests, a small sapper blade does not fail. She continues to delight everyone with her simplicity, perfection and efficiency. This is an important factor in the modern world when there are a lot of diverse and, most importantly, modern weapons in service.