Ratnik Russian Army Original Shovel 6b38 MPL-50 new generation!

This is a good shovel. I have other sapper shovels and entrenching tools. The spade design is a great improvement over the Russian infantry version that Cold Steel copied. This spade is close in width and length of the 1984 sapper shovel spade. The spade is lighter and has a sharper angle in front. I have seen some spades with a sharper angle. Even with a rounder point, the angle is still sharper than the Cold Steel version. The two screw holes are on the opposite side as compared to the Russian infantry shovel and the overlapping metal is welded as opposed to riveted. The Russian infantry shovel has a shallow curve across the width with a straight length. This shovel is shaped more like a spoon with a deeper curve across the width and an upward curve to the front. Stabbing and scooping are viable combat options. I have not thrown it but I suspect that the spoon shape makes it more difficult to throw and less reliable as a throwing weapon. It would still make a good melee weapon.

Well this is indeed a solid little shovel, but the real question is if you are going to buy it or the cold steel one. That depends what you want it for. If you want a super solid working tool that's great for camping or roadside emergencies, this little guy is perfect, but unlike the cold steel it doesn't come sharp. There is an edge on it that will be painted over with olive drab/brownish paint. It still splits wood and is very easy to throw into a log, but it will need sharpened to be combat ready. The cold steel shovel has a literal sharp uninterrupted blade around the entire edge and certainly needs a sheath for safety. You can skip the sheath with the Ratnik, but the cold steel sheath does fit if you want one. Although this thing is a workhorse, I was under the impression it would have a nice sharp edge, but not a big deal. I also found the paint job a bit patchy toward the part near the handle, but that's not a real problem either. I want to give it five stars, but I think $30 is a bit too much. First of all they seem pretty proud of the handle in the ad and it splintered a chunk off while I was splitting a log. Also I ordered a non prime cold steel one for around $16 and it is about 90% of the quality. I do in the end like this one better because I primarily wanted it to keep in the truck and it doesn't look like a dangerous weapon like the cold steel. I wouldn't hesitate to buy either shovel, but if you can get the cold steel for half as much it's an easy choice. DO NOT BUY THE OFF BRAND SHOVELS. THEY ARE CHEAP CRAP.

I am not impressed or happy with the product the seller, UPS or Amazon prime. Shovel came defective and broken/chipped handle. Box was destroyed. Replacement came fast, handle intact. The screws holding the handle to the shovel head are tight yet the head rattles around. It is not secure by any means. I would never risk using for self defense in any setting. It has potential but is not truly usable as is. Which is contradictory to how it's being described and marketed. I ordered it from the listed Amazon prime seller and the return was a nightmare compared to any other prime purchase return I've made. I had to pay for a box as well. They(UPS) destroyed the original shipping box during their delivery. I basically paid around 55 dollars for this shovel on listed price with tax of 30 dollars.Not too mention the time of traveling and time off work. I would end my prime membership and just delete my entire Amazon account but until I receive notification that the seller has received the defective one I can't. Unhappy member across the board.

Now this is an entrenching tool. No cover included. However the plate is as sharp as any knife to use as a weapon. Getting the hang of throwing it now. Awesome piece.

Great shovel, feels real good in your hands, comes with the edge already on it

the handle comes unfinished, but a couple coats of stain/varnish and you have an excellent tool

Really nice to have for off-roading situations

I have always loved the saperka ( Russian entrenching tool). It’s great for throwing, for hand to hand combat, and for digging cat holes and fox holes. It figures prominently in the Russian Systema martial art.