It has a stout hardwood handle" a broad flat steel blade and 3 sharp edges. Its ideally suited for digging foxholes and bunkers" to chop branches" build shelters" act as an improvised paddle" and even as a last-resort weapon of defense! Its even an excellent alternative to a Tomahawk for sport and recreational throwing! Cold Steel's new larger variation" called the Spetsnaz Trench Shovel" has all the winning features of the Special Forces model" with the added benefit of enhanced size. It is 50% longer in length" and has a slightly larger shovel head.