F**M
Strong and Lightweight
Bought this for camp use. I was a little skeptical from the price and reviews. I took it out and pounded on it modestly with a 2 lbs hammer and it didn't deform at all. I'm sure if I wailed on it harder I could get it to deform. But this spade is harder and lighter than any steel I've handled of the same thickness. I have some very expansive hardened stainless steel garden tools near this thick and much more than twice the weight. I've seen this shape done in hardened steel before. It is very utilitarian and allows a handle to be inserted. The only minimal improvement I could suggest is little flats near the handle for pushing with a boot, but since it is intended for hand use that is very minor. And yes, it has a purposefully dull edge.Great tool, great value. Now watch the price go way up....
J**G
Awesome Portable Lightweight Strong Trowel
I was debating buying this trowel over some of the cheaper other steel trowels and I am very happy I paid a little more and bought this one.When you are backpacking in the woods, traversing terrain for long periods of time every ounce counts and this trowel does not disappoint when it comes to being lightweight. The description says it is 160 grams or 5.64 ounces although I weighed mine at 6.2 ounces. Not much more and regardless the trowel is still extremely lightweight.The product description doesn’t list the thickness or gauge of the titanium, but after using my digital calipers I quickly came to the conclusion that the thickness is a beefy 0.08in and that puts the gauge right around 14 which is impressive. There is a slight taper on the edge where the thickness is slightly thinner but that is to be expected as a tapered thinner edge is optimal for penetration.Overall I am quite impressed with the product. If you are looking for lightweight strong trowel that won’t weigh you down when you are backpacking all day this is for you.I gave it a 4 out of 5 as the only thing I would have wanted was a simple sheath or soft case for the trowel.
L**A
Sweet baby Jesus multi-tool.
Not the lightest trowel, there’s Vargo and the Deuce of Spades and others, but it’s very impressively light for what it is: a heavy-duty super useful trowel. I got “mine” for my long hikes because it is rustproof, non-magnetic, holds an edge well and is well neigh indestructible for my uses. I put a fine edge on one side, a serrated on the other and it is now a multipurpose tool. Handheld or secured on the tip of my walking staff it spears through the soil, knifes through the roots, takes care of any sh/t you come across, and won’t rust or hold a stain. Intimidating to wield? Perhaps, but it helps “leave no trace”. Innocuous to keep close at hand on belt or pack, definitely Independent contractor grade and operator approved. Fun gift for any 89D’s you might need to be in good graces with.
R**N
Awesome Survival Shovel
I bought this shovel/trowel for my survival/bug-out bag. I am incredibly pleased with the purchase.I don't ever do a lot of digging in the woods. When I do dig, it's to build or put out a fire, or to dig a cat hole. So as much as I would like a (very heavy) Army e-tool or the Cold Steel Special Forces shovel on my backpack, no need. This thing gets the job done.It's built really solid, which surprised me. Most titanium products I've bought tend to be thin (to keep the weight low), but this thing is *thick*. It doesn't come with a handle, but it would be easy to make one. You can just grab it by the handle end and use it that way; it's big enough for me to reliably hold with my hand.Best of all, this shovel can double as a small frying pan. You could fit a decent sized fish on it or a couple of large sausages.
T**R
'Made in Russia'
It's an ordinary garden trowel, just like a steel shovel but slightly lighter. Not anything that an ultralight hiker would consider packing. It's just like a steel shovel at a premium price for saving just a few grams.For the people who need a small shovel, that saved weight really doesn't matter. Get a nylon trowel if weight matters or a steel trowel for home use. They will perform better for far less money.
M**L
I have read that 'every Roman legionnaire carried a shovel'.
I have read that 'every Roman legionnaire carried a shovel'. The Roman Legionnaires were not only professional soldiers but also builders of roads, aqueducts, walls and buildings. With a shovel they did the ground work in order to set the foundation of an Empire.In todays day and age every soldier should own a VSMPO Titanium Shovel. As for me, being an avid builder in the construction industry, I can not think of any other line of shovels, to own in my arsenal of tools, then the VSMPO Titanium Shovels. The 'Small Superlight Universal Emergency Tool', (I dubbed dragons tail.), is great for gardening, camping, doing a little excavating, and mixing small batches of mortar and concrete.The Medium size VSMPO Titanium Shovel, (I call 'Shovel Head') is reminiscent of the old trench shovels. It's compact yet still offers a wide range of uses.The Large VSMPO Titanium Spade Shovel is a perfect amalgamation of 'function and form'. It's broad and magnificent for doing lots of digging. Thank you VSMPO and amazon for offering great working tools that will last for ever. Sincerely Miguel Cancel
S**R
Shipped slow, worth the wait!
The shovel shipped from Russia and was very well packaged, took a quite a bit longer than I expected to arrive. I ordered the item in early February and it arrived mid March, not sure if it was a customs issue or what. The shovel is ultra-light and moderately sized for a camp/emergency tool, by this I mean it will definitely fit into a hiking pack or hunting pack. The big question is, does the weight and size overburden the benefit of having the shovel with you on long treks. I vote no it does not, the shovel will now reside with a small bag of screws in my 3-day pack to allow a handle to be temporarily fixed to it for my hiking and hunting trips. Note: I sharpened the edges of the shovel with a standard steel rasp, the shovel cuts through roots and soil no problem, I also don't plan to use it for any other unintended purposes (i.e. hatchet, machete, etc.).
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