Well I was expecting more I Guess. The handle is very sloppy, edge is not sharp. For $80 i was not impressed, we shall see how it does I used my old survival shovel for years until the steel head broke. Will be great in a backpack though.
I purchased this shovel in 2023 and used in to 3 camping trips (12 days total) and have been mostly satisfied with it. I would have loved to give it a 5-Star review because the Titanium Head is really great product.
The fatal flaw comes from the handle. The soft pine handle that came with the shovel along with the Pin system is significantly under rated for the application. The second bullet in the product description "NOW, chop wood with its upgraded sharped edge" is a great feature for the shovel head, but the handle is not designed for this. Out of the packaging, I questioned this capability because the reduced end of the handle that inserters to the shovel head was not pressure fit and slipped in and out of the shovel head easily. During the first camping trip, 3rd swing at a small 1/4" branch limb, the shovel handle broke at the pin joint. I think the soft wood pine and 1/4" pin hole leaves too little material to withstand any kid of chopping.
During the 2nd trip, I upgraded the handle to a 16"x1"x1" piece of cherry hardwood. I shaped the handle to an Octagon for better grip during twisting motion and alignment for chopping.
3rd trip, Shovel has worked great since the hardwood upgrade! I hope to used the shovel on every camping trip in the future.
The Good - Very light weight, Good chopping edge, nice bag, replaceable handle.
The Bad - Poor quality soft wood pine handle, pin is easily lost. (-1 Star for broken handle)
Overall, I'm satisfied with the product. Please consider upgrading the handle from soft wood pine to hard wood like Cherry, Maple, or Oak!
I recently had the chance to use the Near Zero Titanium Shovel during a two-night backpacking trip in the Smoky Mountains. This tool proved incredibly useful for a variety of tasks, even though it’s not your typical garden shovel.
During the trip, I used it to clean out ash-filled firepits, trim small branches for firewood, and even as a makeshift dinner plate. Although it’s a luxury item rather than a necessity, it added significant convenience to our camping experience.
The tool is designed to be lightweight, making it ideal for camping rather than heavy-duty digging. The titanium material, while strong, is thin and not suited for hard soil, and the short handle limits the torque you can apply. If you understand the limitations of the shovel, and use it appropriately, you will not be disappointed. Despite these limitations, everyone in our group appreciated having it along and agreed it would be a staple in our future packing lists.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review for our Titanium Shovel. We are thrilled to hear that it was a valuable tool during your recent backpacking trip in the Smoky Mountains. We designed it to be lightweight and versatile, and we are glad it exceeded your expectations. We appreciate your understanding of its limitations and are happy to hear that it added convenience to your camping experience. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we hope to see you packing our shovel for your future adventures.
Happy camping!
Took it out for its inaugural run. Was able to level out a an area for my tent with help from a stake hammer. The blades edge was great for cutting grass. I the land was rocky and the titanium held up . No nicks or dents. The edge held up as well. This was its first run, but I’m satisfied overall. Time and use will tell how it holds up.