The following paper deals with the comparison of characteristic initial shear strength of masonry specimens made of innovative Heluz bricks and selected adhesives. The characteristic initial shear strength of masonry was determined according to ČSN EN 1052-3. Five different adhesives were tested in total. The characteristic initial shear strength of masonry was also researched depending on the amount of applied adhesive – this was determined for two adhesives. The specimens were made of three shaped bricks and a defined adhesive. Twenty-one large specimens were produced in total and they were put to the shear test in the age of one day. Adhesives available on the Czech market and foreign adhesives were tested. Selected adhesives were applied to the bed joints of bricks according to the usual standards. The produced specimens were stayed overnight in the production hall of the Heluz brick plant in Dolní Bukovsko and tested in the age of one day in the laboratory according to stated methods in appropriate norm. This paper deals with procedure of preparation of specimens, the course of the test and comparison of gained results.