Updated trowel options?

[Mina Loomis]

Been using Deuce of Spades for years, since back in the day when it was the only light one.  Now there are so many, on Garage Grown Gear and elsewhere.

In many places across the US southwest the ground is so hard, or rocky, or rooty.  I’ve always had a hard time getting a cat hole deep enough, even with the narrow end of the d.o.s.

Interested in people’s experiences with different ones, with focus mainly on finding the most effective at digging deeper in difficult ground.  Less worried about variations in grams.  Or sharp edges on the hand–a bandana protects.

Thanks.

[Sharon M]

I really like the Bogler trowel.  It’s easier on my hands than the Deuce of Spades and has a better cutting edge for sawing through small roots.

[Brad W]

I got the Bogler recently and it’s a good trowel. Not the most robust but light, comfortable and good size. If you need straight digging power Vargo makes a good one.

[Terran Terran]

Vargo makes a titanium trowel with serrated edges and a slight roll at the top to protect the hand. As a bonus, I find it makes an excellent hair detangler for my dogs hair. A long haired morkie.

 

[Tom D.]

Bogler for me too. Very light, fairly easy on the hands, sturdy enough to make digging fairly easy, has the serrations for roots though I’ve not really needed them. Used it quite a few times since I purchased it about 4 yrs ago.

[Bill in Roswell]

<p style=”text-align: left;”>I’ve had the Deuce, the Vargo and now the Bogler. Vargo cut thru root mats of SE forest well, but not comfortable. The Bogler cuts roots pretty well and very comfortable. Get a color that contrast with where you hike most! Makes it easier to find.</p>

[Mina Loomis]

Wow that was quick!  Thank you all so much.  I can pick up the Vargo today at local REI.  Bolger will need to be ordered.  I’ll report back when I’ve had time to experiment with them.

[Bern Salzhaus]

My trekking pole works very well as a trowel to dig a holes in harder dirt. I find that trowels like the Deuce just hurt my hand and are kind of useless in real world conditions.

[bradmacmt]

Bogler for the last five years – I see no need to switch to anything else.

[JG H]

Bogler here, too. A few years now. We’re in the SC Upstate so we backpack most often in the southern Appalachians which is rooty AF. No really great solution for all those roots, but the Bogler is as good as any I’ve used.

[David Thomas]

Every few years, I get some Plasti-Dip, having saved a bunch of things that feel too sharp or rough or un-cushioned in my hand.

and coat the sharp edges.  I usually get yellow, so it’s also helpful for making the top of tent pegs more visible in additional to being less painful to push in by hand.

[Todd T]

David beat me to it.  That Vargo is a nice tool, but the heel is designed to tear up your hand…

[Mina Loomis]

In addition to Vargo and Bogler, GGG also has others on offer:  Prairie Dog, QiWiz, Suluk 46, and Dirt Digger.  I’ve read in the past on BPL that QiWiz and Suluk are respected makers of a variety of gear.  Has anyone tried any of these other options?

 

[Brad W]

Love the plasti-dip idea. Todd can you list the weight of the Vargo dipped?

[Todd T]

Love the plasti-dip idea. Todd can you list the weight of the Vargo dipped?

With the plasti-dip plus the little bit of cord for clipping on my pack, it weighs 1.3 oz.  But I didn’t weigh it before dipping it, so I don’t know how much it added.  It’s not much.  A gram weenie might say I dipped it too deep, as only the very heel needs the padding.  I’m sure you could get by going only half as deep, which would still cover both the hole and the two little notches.

I’ve had it like this for maybe 5 years and the plastic shows no signs of wear or peel-up.

[Terran Terran]

Originally 1.0 ounce

 

[bradmacmt]

The Bogler is 0.48 oz’s, $18, and doesn’t need to be dipped in plastic. I suppose can’t see the reason for the heavier, more expensive Vargo?

[JG H]

Mina, my son still uses my old QiWiz trowel. We’ve had it for a decade or more and its still kicking.

[Todd T]

Originally 1.0 ounce

Terran Terran, did you weigh one to get that?  The Vargo webpage says 1.25 oz.  Regardless, there’s always some manufacturing variability and I don’t know what mine originally weighed.

[David Sugeno]

Has anyone tried any of these other options?

I’ve been using a QiWiz Big Dig for about 10 years.  I have no idea how it would compare to the newer trowels from  Bogler and Vargo, but I’ve never felt the need to replace it, it has worked well for me.  If you’re still in the Austin area, I’d be happy to let you borrow it to see how you like it.

[Brad W]

The Bogler is 0.48 oz’s, $18, and doesn’t need to be dipped in plastic. I suppose can’t see the reason for the heavier, more expensive Vargo?

If digging in difficult ground the Vargo looks superior as it’s got great rigidity. The Bogler flexes in rocky ground and I could see it being bent if you really pushed on it.

[bradmacmt]

If digging in difficult ground the Vargo looks superior as it’s got great rigidity. The Bogler flexes in rocky ground and I could see it being bent if you really pushed on it.

Have you used both?

[Terran Terran]

Terran Terran, did you weigh one to get that?

I weighed it. One ounce or 28 grams.

 

[William Chilton]

I’ve read in the past on BPL that QiWiz and Suluk are respected makers of a variety of gear. Has anyone tried any of these other options?

I’ve been using the QiWiz for more than 10 years. Not in the US, mainly with hard, compact soil and rocks, not so much with roots. It works well and is pretty indestructible.

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