Yet Another Cycling Forum

Off Topic => The Pub => Topic started by: Charlotte on 29 December, 2009, 12:00:09 am

Title: The shovel thread
Post by: Charlotte on 29 December, 2009, 12:00:09 am
A little while ago, I waxed lyrical (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2177.msg496912#msg496912) about my preferred implement of destruction - the Smith and Jackson Fibrelite Round Mouth shovel (http://www.spear-and-jackson.com/en/fibrelite-round-mouth-shovel):

(http://www.spear-and-jackson.com/sites/spear-and-jackson.com/files/imagecache/productfull/sites/spear-and-jackson.com/files/product_images/2721TFL.jpg)

As I mentioned, as it's fitted with a polymer shaft and handle, it’s lighter and more vibration resistant.  Also, unlike wood, a quick wipe with isopropyl alcohol will clean away all traces of blood and other bodily fluids.

Recently though, whilst doing a little internet shopping, I found this:

(http://www.coldsteel-uk.com/store/special-forces-shovel-large.jpg)

It's a Cold Steel Special Forces Shovel (http://www.coldsteel-uk.com/store/Special-Forces-Shovel.html) and the website describes it thus:

Quote
The Special Forces Shovel is modeled after the original Soviet Spetznaz shovel. The Spetznaz soldiers made up the most elite unit in the Soviet Army. The U.S. equivalent would be our Green Berets. The shovel head and socket are forged from medium carbon steel, then heat treated for maximum strength. The edges come sharpened to a utility/axe edge that can easily be improved to razor sharpness.

All this for a mere £21.85. 

I haz shovelust  :D
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: andygates on 29 December, 2009, 12:06:56 am
A special forces shovel.

I'm sensing the power of marketing.
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: Wowbagger on 29 December, 2009, 12:08:38 am
This idea of shove-lust... is it something new to you, Charlotte?
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: Zoidburg on 29 December, 2009, 12:09:08 am
A bog standard NATO folder has the sharp edge as well, but not the nice straight handle.

U.S WWII-Nam era entrenching tools also rate highly on the thwackability scale.
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 December, 2009, 06:43:06 am
All Quiet on the Western Front mentions how WWI soldiers found trenching tools more effective than bayonets when leaping into the enemy dug outs.
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: Jaded on 29 December, 2009, 09:00:08 am
I though the  Special Forces carried their poo with them and therefore didn't need a shovel?
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: robbo6 on 29 December, 2009, 08:00:38 pm
Charlotte in about a week, after the post has arrived:-
http://www.spetsnaz-gru.com/shovel-7s.avi
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: Bledlow on 29 December, 2009, 08:25:05 pm
I don't think of that as a shovel. A shovel is like the one on the left.

(http://thebiggestliarwins.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/spade-shovel.jpg)

The one on the right? Call a s**** a s****.  ;D
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: Zoidburg on 29 December, 2009, 08:30:43 pm
Wide Mouth Shovel
Taper Mouth Shovel
Round Mouth Shovel
Drainage Shovel
General Service Shovel
Etc etc

I used to sell a lot of shovels and they come in a lot of different shapes, the one on the right is still a shovel.

None of them are a spade.

Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: Charlotte on 30 December, 2009, 06:28:36 pm
Do we need a Venn diagram?

:D
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: Ian H on 30 December, 2009, 07:34:01 pm
My feeling is that a spade's more lethal.
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: alexb on 31 December, 2009, 12:21:02 pm
Has Liz/Julian seen this thread?

If we don't hear from her after Christmas and you start posting about your new patio I think we'll all get the fear...
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: Charlotte on 01 January, 2010, 02:38:21 pm
Funny you should mention that, Alex... (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=28106.new#new)
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: Tewdric on 01 January, 2010, 02:51:44 pm
Call that a shovel?

THIS (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/JCB-LOADING-SHOVEL-5-TON-BUCKET_W0QQitemZ160383230115QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxq20091202?IMSfp=TL091202232002r31462) is a shovel!
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: LEE on 01 January, 2010, 02:57:24 pm
After working on a patio with a proper 'professional' builder friend I now only use metal shaft spades/shovels/forks (from Jewson or Travis perkins).

My mate breaks up concrete by wedging his spade under a coner of it, balancing on the handle (to lift it up slightly) and then smacking it with a sledge hammer.  It's a technique that destroys wooden shafted spades in 10 seconds.
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: Charlotte on 01 January, 2010, 05:47:07 pm
Call that a shovel?

THIS (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/JCB-LOADING-SHOVEL-5-TON-BUCKET_W0QQitemZ160383230115QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxq20091202?IMSfp=TL091202232002r31462) is a shovel!

Possession of such an item about one's person would certainly prove conclusive during an altercation on Her Majesty's highways...
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: Zoidburg on 02 January, 2010, 08:11:04 pm
I had a furtle on the bay and no-one seems to have an AVRE for sale.

 :'(
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 January, 2010, 10:52:49 am
Call that a shovel?

THIS (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/JCB-LOADING-SHOVEL-5-TON-BUCKET_W0QQitemZ160383230115QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxq20091202?IMSfp=TL091202232002r31462) is a shovel!

For that money I'm almost tempted.
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: Tewdric on 03 January, 2010, 10:55:27 am
It woud make a  great broom wagon for the Mille Cymru.
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: Julian on 04 January, 2010, 09:54:49 pm
4 reasons to carry a shovel at all times (http://theoatmeal.com/comics/shovel)
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: David Martin on 04 January, 2010, 11:22:11 pm
OT but this one probably deserves mention in another thread 10 Words You Need to Stop Misspelling - The Oatmeal (http://theoatmeal.com/comics/misspelling)
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: woollypigs on 29 April, 2010, 09:33:55 pm
Chinese Military Shovels Put Swiss Army Knives To Shame - Chinese military shovel - Gizmodo (http://gizmodo.com/5527411/chinese-military-shovels-put-swiss-army-knives-to-shame)
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: clarion on 29 April, 2010, 09:42:01 pm
A must-have.
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: ScumOfTheRoad on 29 April, 2010, 09:55:19 pm
Surely the chinese military shovel will, as Clarion says, be the accessory to have on the next YACF ride. Can we order them with a suitable logo?
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: Adrian on 29 April, 2010, 10:03:18 pm
Surely the chinese military shovel will, as Clarion says, be the accessory to have on the next YACF ride. Can we order them with a suitable logo?

You have to beware the fake, copy versions of course.
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: andygates on 01 May, 2010, 07:52:13 am
But how can you tell???  *head asplode*
Title: Re: The shovel thread
Post by: Adrian on 01 May, 2010, 11:48:31 am
But how can you tell???  *head asplode*

Sorry, I have no idea.