Who doesn't love gadgets and gizmos? Especially a new multi tool! Finding
the hidden features that make up the multi tool is a little like Christmas
morning. And who doesn't secretly feel
accomplished when they save the day by having your handy multi tool to cut that
string or tighten that screw?
When the Quadratec Multi Function Trail Shovel was available in the
Quadratec catalog it was an automatic, I must have this moment!
However I never got around to ordering until the day of the Quadratec
Annual Tent Sale last Oct. If you have not yet been to a Quadratec Tent Sale
put it on your calendars for this year. Amazing deals on a variety of 4x4
modifications!
At the sale I had the opportunity to handle the Quadratec Multi Function
Trail Shovel in person. Right away I noticed it had a lot of moving parts and I
wanted to see which each feature was. Because you can't go wrong with having an
extra multi tool, I handed the Quadratec Staff my money and ecstatically took
my AWESOME shovel home.
Because I didn't have any trips planned where I could really test my shovel
I decided to go for a walk in the woods and try it out along the way and test
its "Survival Tool" qualities.
The shovel is lightweight, 2.2 lbs to be exact. Throw in a backpack and you
won't even notice that you are carrying around a shovel, axe and saw all in
one.
The actual head of the shovel is made from a high strength carbon steel and
does well when digging dirt and mud.
The axe edge might not chop a whole winters worth of firewood but when
testing it into some already chopped fire wood it worked fair and in a pinch
will get the job done.
Other features on the shovel head include a ruler, saw blade and when the
adjustable shovel head is locked into position can be used as a hoe.
The saw blade worked decently at removing smaller branches around the house
while doing some light tree trimming.
The Handle is full of surprises!
All of the tools inside the handle are decent quality and would make a good
secondary options.
Access to the individual compartments in the handle is hard to do swiftly
as you have to twist to reach the tools inside.
It is a good idea to memorize which section the specific tools are in so
you aren't twisting away looking for the screwdriver only to find the whistle
and flint. Just a few twists and you can access the whistle, magnesium fire
starter flint, straight and phillips screwdriver, double edged knife blade with
straight and serrated edge, bottle opener and a silicone tourniquet all within
the shovel handle.
Using materials from the trail including sticks, leaves and bark we made an
attempt at making fire. With the whistle/flint tool one hand and the knife in
the other we made several efforts at making fire as we struck the flint over
and over. Sparks went flying everywhere but after some investigation it appears
our leaves and bark were just damp enough to cause a big ol fire fail. However,
later after the hike we made a second attempt using dryer lint and we could
have roasted marshmallows!
The double edged knife is not one of the best knives on the market today
but will get the job done. The serrated
edge provides an aggressive ripping tool for tough/thick materials or the
straight edge for push or precision cuts. 
Inside one of the handles you will also find a silicone tourniquet which I
lost somewhere in the woods. Make sure to understand some basic first aid and
when and when not to apply a tourniquet.
Overall I love my Quadratec Multi Function Trail Shovel! Its compact,
lightweight design is appealing and the concept of having all the features
tucked away in hidden compartments within the handle is genius. The quality of
some of the tools are perfect for the weekend camping warrior or as an extra
spare for your trail tool bag. You won't
be disappointed with your Quadratec shovel on steroids!
For product details or to order please visit www.quadratec.com
