Tools

Tools are allowed at Spartan for use in games but the players carrying them are legally responsible for their carry and use. Whilst no player is allowed to damage living trees, there is plenty of deadfall that can be used to build defensive and ambush positions.

Folding saws



The folding saw and to a lesser extent the wire saw are probably the most useful tools to carry at Spartan. Most branches that you’d want to clear out of the way for your fighting position will probably be too thick for a tactical knife to handle. Make sure that you purchase a sturdy model, such as the Bahco Laplander, as the blade can easily break when your trying to use it under pressure in the field (as opposed to your back garden). The Ultimate survival saw is worth considering as it will be able to cope with the larger branches and trunks that you may encounter (and want to move/alter).

Entrenching tools





Entrenching tools are useful for clearing out your firing position on ambushes and hasty defensive positions. It is important to take into account that you may need to occupy that position for a long time and what starts out as comfortable may not remain that way after a while. Most ambushes are compromised by the movement of the ambush party rather than the skill and/or situational awareness of the ambushed. Clearing your position will ensure that it is comfortable and anything that could compromise your noise discipline is removed. In addition, if you’re caught short away from a toilet you will need to dig a deep hole in which to bury your waste. This will cut down on our environmental impact and keep Spartan a healthy site.

Tactical knives



Tactical knives are designed as combination weapons and tools (i.e. knives with a single edge), whereas combat knives are designed solely as weapons (i.e. knives with a double edge). Spartan does not allow the carrying of combat knives for this reason. The use of knives as tools is acceptable on the site and combat knives do not perform well in this role anyway (unless you want to injure yourself). A good example of a tactical knife is the Glock Feldmesser 78. A thorough review is not worthwhile here, however a good resource is "Tactical knives" by Dietmar Pohl (ISBN: 0-87349-636-1; 2003).