In a combat training of Spetsnaz soldiers a great attention is paid to their ability to engage in hand-to-hand combat and to use hand-held weapon as well as various expedients. Among them an entrenching shovel is of special importance; first, it is an element of a regular outfit and, second, it is a formidable weapon of the close combat.
The entrenching shovel is a deadly weapon in hands of a trained fighter. Its effectiveness arises from mobility comparable with maneuverability of a knife, but at the same time the entrenching shovel exceeds the striking power and the effective range of a knife.
The effective range of a knife exceeds the length of an arm by 15-20 cm. The entrenching shovel increases the effective range by 30 to 40 cm. At the same time the entrenching shovel is effective at a very close distance and in a limited space. It is achieved by moving the palm along a shovel handle and in such a way making the length of the weapon shorter.
As far as an open space is concerned, the entrenching shovel has no match to it among other kinds of cold steel.
First, it is light-weighted and handy. Second, it is efficient both at middle and close distances, and even at long distances, in regard to a close combat, of course.
With the entrenching shovel, one can throw a handful of soil or sand at the enemy's face from a distance of four to five meters and profit by enemy's confusion to shorten the distance needed for a blow. Besides, the entrenching shovel is an excellent throwing implement - the range of aimed throw made by a well-trained specialist is 10 meters or more.