TheTentLab The Deuce of Spades Backcountry Potty Trowel
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The Deuce of Spades™ potty trowel from TheTentLab is a revolutionary ultralight backcountry latrine trowel that can be used handle up or, for 4 times the digging power, handle down.
Shop similar products- Weighs just 0.6 of an ounce (the weight of 3 quarters)
- Thin edge and aerospace-grade aluminum cuts through small roots and tough ground
- Minimalist, incognito design
Imported.
| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Material(s) | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 6.8 x 2.5 x 0.84 inches |
| Weight | 0.6 ounce |
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Most Helpful Critical Review
Ultralight, and works amazingly well
I have always used a U-Dig-It, which is a wonderful, unbreakable tool, and will probably last 2 lifetimes. But it weighs 5 ounces, and this trowel only weighs .6 ounces. I was amazed at how well it worked in rocky Sierra ground, that would break a plastic trowel. Others have complained about the handle being sharp, which is true- just wrap some duct tape around it. You should be carrying some duct tape anyway. Problem solved. I am so impressed by this trowel, and am buying a second one to keep in my day pack. Thanks for lightening my backpacking load, with this wonderful tool.
Best option all around
First thing you'll notice is how light it is.. at .6 oz, it's basically non-existent. Most trowels and spades aren't especially heavy, but holding this and that commonly found recycled plastic one REI carries will make you instantly want to switch. Second, it feels like a blade, in how skinny the metal is, which is good, for cutting roots and making quick work of tough ground. The downside (some people knock stars off for) is that this sharpness can make holding it in a bare hand with pressure a bit hard on the hand. I don't think it's a big deal, change your hand position or toughen up. You might think it would deform or bend easily, but it's quite rigid and mine show no sign of wear after hitting rocks (besides the edge paint getting scraped off).
Not too study but it works
It cuts through soil and the layer of decaying wood up here very well, but I can see it running into trouble in places with more rocks like in California. It works more like a cookie cutter than a shovel. You cut around the hole you want and the soil pops right out. If you try to use this product as a shovel, it will flex and bend so be careful. I do love how light it is too.
Number One for Number Two
I bought one of these when they first came out several years ago and I have to say, it's totally worth the price. The light weight is amazing, and it's nice to have something semi-sharp to cut through roots to make a proper hole. Sometimes it's actually easier to use upside-down, which lets you get two hands on it for a little more leverage. I'm glad REI started carrying it!
Light and attractive design
First impressions of this trowel is that its simply a very lightweight and compact metal design. The blade is wide enough to move some volume and the thinness of the metal aids in cutting through small roots. One issue I will mention is that the handle digs into your palm a little, it really needs a plastic "sheath" around the handle end to enhance comfort.
Compact and light
I borrowed my friends Deuce of Spades out in the backcountry and it was really handy. Compared to others, this is really light but make sure to holster it or you can puncture something. Minus one star because REI does not allow me to select a color of my choice!
Better tool for a dirty task
I had a plastic trowel that dried out and broke on an overnight trip. I bought this to replace it and shed some ounces. It is sharp enough to cut small roots. I have not tried it in hard pack soil. The only reason it did not get 5 stars is that it hurts your hand a bit while you dig. I attach it to the back of my pack with an s-biner and refill the hole by shoving dirt with my foot.
Bent to bits after four days
Not sure if I got a defective version of this trowel, but it's all bent and mangled up after one outing. We weren't really digging in tough soil either. Kind of a disappointment given the cost. Will probably get by with a tent stake again next time
I got Red
Its a lot thinner than I had expected. It bends in my hands quite a bit though it bends back. I feel like if used right it wont break. however if i wanted to bend it in half it doesn't seem like it would be too hard a task to complete. I got the red one, anything but yellow..
Ultra-lite Poo Scooper
Ok, first, the name....works at so many levels. I bought this for a 7 day backpacking trip in the San Juan Mountains in Colorado. With pack weights at about 55 pounds, I was looking to shave weight where I could. It is super light, packs easily, is brightly colored so it is easy to find in your pack and doesn't blend into the ground cover if you sit it down. In soft soils, it would be optimal. However, in hard, frozen, rocky, and root laden soil, it faces some challenges. The absence of a true handle makes the tool slip up into your hand with any strikes on hard objects. The edges are thick enough and not sharp so it didn't cut into my hand, but, bang a rock and you certainly felt like it might. Mine didn't bend or break, but it made me dig differently than I would with a stronger trowel. I had to sort of scrape out a hole which took a little more time and effort. Given the ultra-light construction, and with a dialed down digging technique, I am very pleased with Deuce of Spades. If I were only going on a 3 day hike, I might prefer a stronger trowel.