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Post by bradmacmt on Dec 31, 2021 9:02:13 GMT -8
Inspired by the Privy thread on the Trailhead Register, I thought I'd add a recommendation for a Poop Trowel (aka Cathole Sanitation Trowel).
I carried an "Ezee" trowel for decades. Works well, and not too heavy:
In the last few years I've been purging weight anywhere and everywhere so started looking at lighter alternatives. I played around with the .6oz "Deuce" but found it uncomfortable in the hand:
Finally, two years ago I stumbled on this little gem. Comfortable in the hand, light and wonderfully effective:
The Story behind the trowel:
Bought one this year as a stocking-stuffer for my wife. Made her giggle...
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Dec 31, 2021 10:25:51 GMT -8
After my own path from the orange plastic spade, I went to the way too heavy U-Dig stainless steel foldable shovel, which was most recently seen in an episode of The Expanse, being used by a little girl to bury a bird.  Mine now resides in my wife's gardening bucket. From there, I went to The Deuce that you pictured. Still using it. As long as the ground isn't too full of rocks, or roots, it's fine by me. |
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texasbb
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Post by texasbb on Dec 31, 2021 14:15:51 GMT -8
I bought one of these with a Christmas REI gift card a couple years ago. Not the lightest option, but not awful (1.2 oz). Nice and sturdy for prying up rocks and stuff. The teeth are occasionally useful against small roots. Doubles as a nice snow stake or spare (less-nice) regular stake. I didn't like how the corners dug into my hand, so I Plasti-Dipped it.  |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Dec 31, 2021 17:17:32 GMT -8
I've been using the Deuce of Spade for several years; mine lacks some of the serrations you show, so must be an older model  I like the fact that it's not very curved, so fits well in a flat side pocket. I wear gloves when hiking, and find the handle isn't bad as long as I'm wearing my gloves. |
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Post by trinity on Dec 31, 2021 18:12:56 GMT -8
6 or 7 years ago I replaced my bright orange plastic trowel with a qiwhiz big dig. I've never felt a need to to replace it. |
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Post by bobcat1 on Dec 31, 2021 18:56:36 GMT -8
Snow stake, $3.00, .5oz, hacksawed off excess length so it stores in a quart-size ziploc bag along with my tp. Works great and can be used as a tent stake if needed. Been using this for years, ever since I broke the plastic one I got when I started backpacking.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Dec 31, 2021 21:32:18 GMT -8
I bought one of these with a Christmas REI gift card a couple years ago. Not the lightest option, but not awful (1.2 oz). Nice and sturdy for prying up rocks and stuff. The teeth are occasionally useful against small roots. Doubles as a nice snow stake or spare (less-nice) regular stake. I didn't like how the corners dug into my hand, so I Plasti-Dipped it. I have the Vargo as well and agree about the corners. I like your solution. |
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Jan 1, 2022 8:15:01 GMT -8
Another Deuce user. For hard soil try using it upside down, holding the "blade" in your hand and punching the smaller handle into the soil in a circle that then becomes a plug you can pry up off the top of your cathole, and then turn it back around and dig it out to the proper depth.
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driftwoody
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Post by driftwoody on Jan 1, 2022 10:03:36 GMT -8
Not the lightest option, but not awful (1.2 oz). Nice and sturdy for prying up rocks and stuff. The teeth are occasionally useful against small roots. Doubles as a nice snow stake or spare (less-nice) regular stake. After reviewing this thread, I'm leaning towards the Vargo titanium dig tool. Roots are almost always a problem where I camp, and this tool seems the most effective. Also like the functionality as a stake, which could come in handy for my hammock tarp in high winds with loose soil. |
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Jan 1, 2022 14:49:20 GMT -8
After reviewing this thread, I'm leaning towards the Vargo titanium dig tool. Roots are almost always a problem where I camp, and this tool seems the most effective. Also like the functionality as a stake, which could come in handy for my hammock tarp in high winds with loose soil. The saw edges on mine are quite sharp. Very good for getting through tough roots but I keep it in a small stuff sack of its own otherwise it cuts my plastic toilet bag. Titanium so no sign of it getting less sharp with use. |
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franco
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Post by franco on Jan 1, 2022 16:43:41 GMT -8
I have used for many years a sand/snow stake. The trick is to use it as a pick not a showel.  |
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panatomicx
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Less noise and more green
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Post by panatomicx on Jan 1, 2022 17:12:03 GMT -8
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Post by trinity on Jan 1, 2022 17:33:40 GMT -8
 Blast from the past!
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Jan 1, 2022 20:13:09 GMT -8
Also like the functionality as a stake Any non-folding trowel with a hole or hook in the handle can serve that purpose. |
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driftwoody
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Post by driftwoody on Jan 1, 2022 20:35:28 GMT -8
Also like the functionality as a stake Any non-folding trowel with a hole or hook in the handle can serve that purpose. True, though some perhaps better than others. |
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I like the fact that it's not very curved, so fits well in a flat side pocket. I wear gloves when hiking, and find the handle isn't bad as long as I'm wearing my gloves.
