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QiWiz
10-26-2010, 18:30
Titanium Cathole Trowels: Any Interest?
Have made and used a titanium cathole trowel for the last two years and have enough titanium to make a few more. I'd like to sell some to fellow UL fanatics to help support gear purchases and other expenses of my upcoming 2011 AT hike.

If there is interest in the WB community, I will post a gear for sale notice with pictures, etc., but just thought I would test the waters for your opinions and reactions first.

Trowels would weigh 0.35 to 0.40 ounces and be about 6 inches long. Thin but surprisingly strong, just big enough to do the job with much more speed and flair than your boot heel or a stick. I may also make a somewhat larger version for those who want to dig deeper and faster. I'm also researching a lightweight rubberized coating for the handle in a bright color.

You know you don't really NEED one, but you know you WANT one. I would need to charge $25 to $30 for the cost of the materials and the work of making them. I know this seems steep, but try to work with titanium and you will quickly see why. Hard to get, hard to cut, impossible to drill, hard to shape and have it keep the shape you want.

Feedback is a gift . . . ;)

Skidsteer
10-26-2010, 18:38
Wow, deja vu.

The heel of a shoe works better...

Pony
10-26-2010, 19:17
Sell them near a trailhead leading to Mt. Washington and you'll probably make a mint.

Luddite
10-26-2010, 19:21
I don't carry one, but wouldn't plastic be lighter?

4eyedbuzzard
10-26-2010, 20:02
I don't carry one, but wouldn't plastic be lighter?
Those plastic ones they sold 30 to 40 years ago were a joke. You couldn't dig 1" deep in most appalachian mountain soil (rocks) with them. Just use a tent stake or pole tip to excavate a hole if your boot heel won't do it.

QiWiz
10-26-2010, 22:06
I don't carry one, but wouldn't plastic be lighter?

The ubiquitous orange trowels weigh 2 ounces, so titanium cuts weight by 80% and increases durability by 1000% :banana

4eyedbuzzard
10-27-2010, 00:32
QiWiz
Your product may be marketable to the EMS / LLBean (occaisional hiker) crowd. But likely not to many here. WB is pretty hardcore by comparison - even most of the non-UL crowd here would use their spork to dig a cathole before carrying another ounce. :eek: :rolleyes:

Jonnycat
10-27-2010, 13:16
I use one of the tent pegs made for snow as my digger. Weighs less than an ounce and digs as deeply as I need it to go:

http://www.rei.com/product/358111

Wise Old Owl
10-27-2010, 14:34
You guys are tough... It was a good idea to ask. Someone might be interested.

Windcatcher
10-27-2010, 19:15
I still carry one of the orange plastic trowels. But I'd be interested in seeing your Ti version.

Mags
10-27-2010, 19:40
Too bad this is no longer made..
http://www.backpacking.net/forums/showflat.php?Number=95019&page=26

Appalachian Tater
10-27-2010, 23:19
I think this would make an excellent joke award for trail volunteers, large donors, etc. if engraved and mounted on a plaque.