TheTentLab Deuce of Spades #3

An essential tool for backcountry camping, where strength, durability, light weight and effectiveness are critical! Tentlab's Deuce #3 HD Trowel meets and exceeds on all counts!

                                             The Deuce #3 HD Trowel

 by TentLab

One cannot really wax eloquent on a poop shovel, but if you could...it would be about TentLab's Deuce #3 HD Trowel. I have owned and used other shovels but when an extended trip where weight and durability was really a priority I moved from heavier, folding models I own to the TentLab Deuce models.  

Why I chose the Deuce #3 model: 

Backpacking in California's Eastern Sierra's and Colorado's Rocky Mountains...the ground is comprised of...well...rock. So I chose the Deuce #3 not only because the trowel blade is longer and a tad more stouter than the other Deuce models...but also for the option to reverse grip the blade and dig with the narrower handle end in harder ground.

What I like about the Deuce #3:

In addition to the longer, stouter construction over the other models...

• Only weighs 27.6 grams...a featherweight...less than 2 tablespoons of water.
• Costs less than $25
• One piece aerospace grade 7075-T6 aluminum
• Rectangular hole in the handle allows easy clipping to your pack
• Made in the USA...Colorado by Mike Cecot-Scherer...one of the coolest end-user inventors alive.
  

What I'd change if I could:

Honestly, there really isn't anything I would change...unless it would dig for me.

One might think $25 is pricey for a camping trowel, but I respectfully disagree...even as a self-proclaimed tightwad. Cheap foreign made wire bale, folding trowels are heavy, rust over time and have a tendency to break at inopportune times...so you often buy more than once which chips away at that dollar figure.

Plus, I like to support smaller, local companies that make effective, cool gear whenever I can. I purchased the TentLab Deuce #3 HD Trowel directly from Mike on his website. Spend a few minutes and read Mike Cecot-Scherer's innovative history and prepare to be amazed...you have likely owned either a tent or backpack he has designed (or both).

Final Thoughts:

I used the TentLab Deuce #3 HD Trowel continuously for a month of backpacking out West without failure or issue. It did exactly what was expected of it...dug catholes, filled them back in, didn't bend, break or twist. The Deuce #3 has a few good rock scratches but even the anodizing is holding strong and still looks good (if a poop shovel can look 'good').

Overall, I strongly recommend considering the TentLab Deuce #3 HD Trowel.

Quick Stats:

• Weight: 27.6 grams/.97 ounces
• Length: 8 1/2 inches 
• Width: 2 5/8 inches
• Cost: $24.95
  

Background

Initially purchased for a 2018 JMT trip...it has been used not only during those three weeks, it has been used in the Rocky Mountains, Utah, the Smokey Mountains, Shenandoah's, Florida sands, and six other states...for over 100 days of backpacking and cathole digging.