Trowels and Shovels for Backpacking

[Scott Allen]

Moe,

Are they in the camping or gardening section at Walmart? Thanks.

Scott

[roweman07]

+1 to the little stainless steel trowel from Walmart. I got mine in the camping section. Very handy little trowel.

[QiWiz]

I have the large one of these.

http://www.qiwiz.net/trowels.html

It's not the cheapest option, but I believe it is the lightest and it is Made in USA

I've heard that an even larger version is coming out soon for those of you who are less weight conscious.

[Chris]

Got a cool little e-tool from Glock that I really dig:


Fiskars also makes a little trowel that weighs almost nothing, is tough as nails, and has a compartment in the handle... also recommended.

[wildmanh]

+1 to the little stainless steel trowel from Walmart. I got mine in the camping section. Very handy little trowel.

This is the one that I have. Bought one, used it on a backpacking trip to dig a cat hole and help me smooth out my sleeping area [saved my hands, that's for sure]. Bought a 2nd one after that trip for my Daypack, but then my mom needed one for her 72 hour kit so I gave her my 2nd. Will probably pick another one up, the next time I'm down Walmart's way. Foraging for wild edibles is becoming a big thing for some friends and I on our trips.

[ripcurlksm]

I've been considering getting an e-tool since the summer, and I can see its greatest use for me is moving coals. When I set up camp in the evenings, I like to get a good fire going fast and then pull those big coals to get dinner started asap. I've been using a long stick to push coals around which works, and I'm trying to convince myself why get an e-tool when I already lost all the hair on my right hand?

an e-tool has been on my list for a few months, just considering packing it in with me just to move coals around. Not sure.

[QiWiz]

I've been considering getting an e-tool since the summer, and I can see its greatest use for me is moving coals. When I set up camp in the evenings, I like to get a good fire going fast and then pull those big coals to get dinner started asap. I've been using a long stick to push coals around which works, and I'm trying to convince myself why get an e-tool when I already lost all the hair on my right hand?

an e-tool has been on my list for a few months, just considering packing it in with me just to move coals around. Not sure.

don't know if a MEGA Dig would be another alternative to let your hand get hairy again or not . . .

http://QiWiz.net/trowels.html

[Xtrekker]

I cant remember ever wishing I had a shovel or spade while backpacking/hiking, and I typically hike in the rocky soil of the AT Mountains. Nothing against them, just not for me. Im sure there is some regions that they may be useful in. And to be honest, most people that I see using them are car camping or just getting into backpacking. Even when I first got back into backpacking I went out and bought a 4lb folding shovel from the camping dept. After the first trip, it got tossed into the closet and has never left since. Another reason I dont bring a shovel is because I try to practice LNT as much as possible. And bringing a shovel on the backpacking trip is pretty much is like taking "LNT" to the edge of the cliff and shoving it over the edge..lol
But this is just me, we all have our own paths.

[Tevo]

Question for the shovel carriers...what sort of distance and elevation gain are you averaging when you're out? I can see having one if we're talking relatively short trips with minimal elevation gain. Longer trips or lots of climbing I really start ounce counting.

[vakman]

Like any bushcraft tool, substitutes for trowels can be found/made in the wild, it's sort of pointless to question the necessity/utility of it. I have a foldable stainless trowel, I've used it for digging small latrines, handling coals, and small fire pits. Nothing a tree limb and a knife can't accomplish. I won't be using mine anymore. More you know, less you carry.