Just got one of these for the Vapor Trail mission. It's a solid piece and I like that it is designed to serve double duty (doody?) as a tent stake. Let's me drop one stake from my kit!
SawatchFactoryWhat happens if you need it while you have your tent staked out? Sorry, trowels are odd to me since most of the time I can find a stick or rock to dig a hole.
McCaskillThat would be a shitty situation, wouldn't it? I always carry an extra stake. So, the trowel replaces the extra and generally doesn't get used for staking duty.
I've been in spots where the ground is so thick with roots and rocks that a stick doesn't dig at all. Even smooth-edged metal trowels can fail in those situations. Serrated edges saw through. Is it essential for every type of backpacker? Naw. But it's a darn good trowel.