Cold steel special forces shovel mod question

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So from that lot, (and I’ve checked out Bladeforums on the issue). The weakest points are the screw holes causing splitting. Which would suggest putting more in isn’t going to help. So I checked that possibility.

IMG_3240.jpeg

So in short. Not a good idea at all to address the problem the OP seems will potentially crop up.
 
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If it’s good enough for the British Army then it’s good enough for me.

If the OP is intending to abuse the shovel then I’d suggest a different tool rather than weakening the existing one.

My own miniature shovel is a pointed blade Roughneck.

The OP’s English is infinitely better than my non existent Greek but:
It includes idiom that I would not have expected.


Αν είναι αρκετά καλό για τον Βρετανικό Στρατό, τότε είναι αρκετά καλό και για μένα.

Αν ο Δημοσιογράφος σκοπεύει να κάνει κατάχρηση του φτυαριού, τότε θα πρότεινα ένα διαφορετικό εργαλείο αντί να αποδυναμώσει το υπάρχον.

Το δικό μου μικροσκοπικό φτυάρι είναι ένα μυτερό Roughneck.

Τα αγγλικά του Δημοσιογράφου είναι απείρως καλύτερα από τα ανύπαρκτα ελληνικά μου, αλλά:
Περιλαμβάνει ιδιωματισμό που δεν θα περίμενα.

Edited to add:
Is there a connection between the OP and the author of the mod as shown above?
 
57406_cold-steel-spetsnaz-trench-shovel-69748.jpg

Why not pour epoxy on the part of handle that sticks out of the socket on to the blade?
That will definatly lock it to the blade.
 
It’d certainly be better than a screw. Seeing the back in better detail with that image, I’d say it makes the extra screw look even more dodgy and prone to splitting the wood far more likely than stabilising the area. I did suggest epoxy to him earlier. But I don’t think he liked the idea.
 
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OK, having seen that photo, I'm not convinced the OP hasn't got a point. The shovel is fine when you lever towards you to carry out the normal digging operation, but if you push away when the shovel is in the earth (we've all done that), that neck where the sleeve joins the blade is definitely a weak point.

If properly done a small bolt with washer or collar would make it stronger for that operation but would stick out and get caught. A screw is not going to add much strength at all though - if the load is great enough to bend the metal it will pull the screw out.
 
A bolt would certainly be the better option. But like you said Andy, it’d stick out and lessen its use as an actual shovel. So in short, my advice would be not to use it as an axe. It’s not designed to be a good tool for that.
 
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My honest advice, if you really think you will be overloading the design, is get a better shovel.

This one is a 1954 British Military 3ft General Service Shovel. You can see how using the split sleeve, above and below the handle, means there is always a component in strain preventing too much bending moment.

1954 Military Shovel 1.jpg1954 Military Shovel 2.jpg1954 Military Shovel 3.jpg
 
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If it’s good enough for the British Army then it’s good enough for me.

If the OP is intending to abuse the shovel then I’d suggest a different tool rather than weakening the existing one.

My own miniature shovel is a pointed blade Roughneck.

The OP’s English is infinitely better than my non existent Greek but:
It includes idiom that I would not have expected.


Αν είναι αρκετά καλό για τον Βρετανικό Στρατό, τότε είναι αρκετά καλό και για μένα.

Αν ο Δημοσιογράφος σκοπεύει να κάνει κατάχρηση του φτυαριού, τότε θα πρότεινα ένα διαφορετικό εργαλείο αντί να αποδυναμώσει το υπάρχον.

Το δικό μου μικροσκοπικό φτυάρι είναι ένα μυτερό Roughneck.

Τα αγγλικά του Δημοσιογράφου είναι απείρως καλύτερα από τα ανύπαρκτα ελληνικά μου, αλλά:
Περιλαμβάνει ιδιωματισμό που δεν θα περίμενα.

Edited to add:
Is there a connection between the OP and the author of the mod as shown above?
Yo, it's not right for me "If it’s good enough for the British Army then it’s good enough for me" simply because i can only see shits selling on earth. All items they selling they hard tryed to found how to do it not to be... perfect. Guess why(and no its not the money bro)I really don't even have anything in my survival backpack that i didn't modified, some times just to make them more comfort and some times more stronger. Those who producing and selling out they must first take the OK from "someone" and this "someone" is those guys you hate everyday 24/7 xD
 
OK, having seen that photo, I'm not convinced the OP hasn't got a point. The shovel is fine when you lever towards you to carry out the normal digging operation, but if you push away when the shovel is in the earth (we've all done that), that neck where the sleeve joins the blade is definitely a weak point.

If properly done a small bolt with washer or collar would make it stronger for that operation but would stick out and get caught. A screw is not going to add much strength at all though - if the load is great enough to bend the metal it will pull the screw out.
Exactly you got it right and now we both have right xD because it's lacking strength for sure(and yo guys dont tell me is just a shovel and must be used this and that way and dont chop etc ..ok but human being and especially in survival situation you can make a mistake or just step on it when it lays on ground etc etc)

But, about the last you told i think you are not right, i mean about that it will pull the screw out. Ofc if a car walk on it, it will pull the screw out. BUT when you are in normal use with the shovel, like you see it already is "ok" looks "stable" already pushing the handle to infront, but we clearly know that if you push it just a bit more it will bend the steel head attachment point or it will broke the handle but it looks like more possible it will bend the metal. And if a metal like this bend ONCE then is fatal, it will never be that strong again like before. So from the time that already looks stable (but its not) i guess it will never pull the screw out because simply when the screw asked to do his job then is not alone, it haves the strength of the steel too. Its like a double lock, but im not a mechanic thats why i ask..im good with mods but that's it. Anyway most important think is to get the job done with the right way, correct screw, corect drill, corect tight and not over tight. Anyway i will go for it and i will upload images. Thanks for understanding xD idk what i did so wrong and only you got the point of what i was saying.
 
My honest advice, if you really think you will be overloading the design, is get a better shovel.

This one is a 1954 British Military 3ft General Service Shovel. You can see how using the split sleeve, above and below the handle, means there is always a component in strain preventing too much bending moment.

View attachment 105149View attachment 105150View attachment 105151
That's a shovel for backyard bro... Im a survivalist with a well broken leg, need to be light for the rest of my life and im just 35
 
The original Soviet MPL-50 entrenching tool that the Cold Steel was designed from has a much better construction.
There is a more direct copy of that design by Boker.
BO09BO500_05_boker
 
Mmm, That Boker ain't gonna break easy, v. nice and at a 1kg won't be a lot different from the Cold Steel. But the OP has bought the Cold Steel now so will have to adapt it as he see's fit.
 
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That's a shovel for backyard bro... Im a survivalist with a well broken leg, need to be light for the rest of my life and im just 35
Yeh, sorry, I was really just showing how a shovel is made with a stronger handle attachment. That one stays permanently in my Land Rover Defender. This one stays permanently in my Land Rover Series III, it's a 1965 Folding German Entrenchment Shovel.

1965 German Shovel.jpg
 
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There is a more direct copy of that design by Boker.
BO09BO500_05_boker
I can feel the strength here. But its late and I'm broke like always xD
 
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