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Product Description
A trowel that doubles as a tent stake, the Vargo Dig Dig Tool is made of strong, lightweight titanium and weighs just over an ounce—so you’ll have no trouble fitting it in your pack. When you’re digging catholes, the ergonomic design and rounded handle ensure a comfortable grip, while the serrated edges slice through roots and tough ground with ease Read More
Hi, all!
We just thought we'd weigh in here and answer some questions for you.
A. The Dig Dig Tool is made from grade 2 titanium as assumed. We experimented with grade 5 but decided against it for two reasons:
1. Grade 5 is more difficult to work with and wouldn't allow us to make the bends in the handle that we wanted that help increase its comfort and allow for two-handed use (adds more digging power like a shovel).
2. And to a lesser degree of importance, grade 5 cost more which would have made it more expensive for everyone. We wanted to hit the sweet spot of price and performance.
B. Given we used grade 2 titanium, we did have to use a thicker material to increase its strength. However, the weight and price of the Dig Dig Tool falls right in between the smaller, thinner, and less effective Al and Ti trowels and the more common, less expensive plastic trowels on the market. The Dig Dig Tool is plenty strong. You'll have an incredible time trying to bend it under normal use (we've tried!).
C. It does not come with a case or sheath.
D. All in all, the design, shape, and choice of material make for an incredibly strong, more effective digging tool and tent stake. As with all ultralight gear, if you take care of it, it will take care of you for years to come.
Thanks!
Team Vargo
VargoOutdoorsAt twice the thickness, it can't cost less, at least not just in materials alone. The real cost savings comes from the fact that you can punch grade 2 far more easily, which I am assuming is being done. Biggest cost in a tool like the Tark, is that each one has to be waterjet cut because of the grade of titanium being used, $7 verses $1, never mind the initial tooling costs. The same thing goes for titanium V stakes, grade 5 eats up the dies, if they will even cycle. Yet another case for grade 9, it can be punched and bent almost as easily as grade 2, but is almost as strong as grade 5. Yes, it costs more, but if you use thinner material, you cut costs there, get a lighter tool, and one that is stronger. Factories(US or Chinese) may balk at this, but as a tool and die designer(with years of real world journeyman shop experience), I call BS, it can be done. I understand that everything is a compromise, but not every aspect is worth compromising. I get gigged for products that are both too light, and too heavy, not everything is ideal.
RutaLocuraWell said. I’ve been using this for a year and my answer for a sheath has been spare duct tape on the serrations to not damage the cuben fiber of my pack, while keeping it accessible in nature, for when nature calls. I can pull the duct tape if I’m digging hard ground or leave it on for AT three season soil conditions.
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!
That 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.
What grade of titanium? The bend radii look pretty small and sharp like it is grade 2. Grade 2 is soft, like what they make pots out of. Trowels, tools, and knives should be made out of grade 5. --Josh Leavitt
Hmm, all else I can find is this one from his own website, but he doesn't talk about grades of Ti here either. https://bushwalkingnsw.org.au/clubsites/FAQ/FAQ_Pegs.htm#Pegs
Anyway, having done some reading it does seem that Grade 5/6Al-4V is the stuff to use for lightweight, strong gear and anything else is a bit of a compromise. But that's fine, as long as the compromises are made in the right places.
JoomyStakes #8, in that link. I did not read the entire thing, but those are some of the grade 5 stakes he built. So the snow stake article may be the right one, IDK, I can't read it, and it has been a few years(or close to a decade).
I have some grade 9 stakes sitting here in the office, it is a really good compromise for building titanium stakes, bendable yet strong, though it does tend to cost more than grade 5 or 2. But, if the tent stakes(or other tools) last twice as long in grade 9, as they would in grade 2, it would seem to be the way to go. That takes market education, which has been lacking, even in the more informed UL community. Some one should look at doing grade 9 stuff, that is a big part of what I am saying here. I am just not the one to it, at least not right now. hint, hint, for those paying attention.
It's not easy to grip and apply enough force to penetrate hard soil. Also not rigid enough. Would suggest the luxurylite hiking pole with a Texas toothpick segment, which can serve multiple purposes as a spear for self defense against animals, a tent stake/tarp pole, and digging tool.
benfishing7Had a deuce on jmt. Useless. Iceaxe was the one. These things have no hefty, personally wouldnt use my poles for fear of breaking it. Blavk diamond have an ice axe handle topper
Have one. Good idea in theory but not a huge fan, at least out here in the west with hard ground. Digs okay but as a stake, any pressure will bend the fuck out of it. Just bring the Deuce of Spades and forget about using it as a peg.
anujayaMost people carry it in an outside pocket or pack lid, sometimes around a water or fuel bottle. Inside a thicker plastic bag (like what people use to carry their toilet paper and hand sanitizer) should provide enough protection too.