QiWiz Big Dig Trowel
Published · Researched 2026-09-21
Brand: QiWiz (QiWiz UL Gear) · Model: Big Dig · Category: Ultralight titanium cathole trowel Lineup note: The Big Dig is the mid-size of the QiWiz trowel line: Original (0.4 oz, 6 in), Big Dig (~0.6 oz, 7.25 in), and the discontinued MEGA Dig (1 oz, 8.5 in). Big Digs outsell Originals 2-to-1 per the maker.
Version Lineage (2023–2026)
- The Big Dig has been handmade by QiWiz through 2023–2026 with no redesign.
- Price: $36 (2026, via Garage Grown Gear and maker channels).
- Specs: about 0.6 oz, 7.25 in long; one owner measured 11.0 g on a scale.
- The MEGA Dig is no longer available (maker's site, 2026).
Overview
A handmade ultralight titanium cathole trowel, heat-shaped for strength with a distinctive surface coloration. The yellow-coated handle aids grip and visibility (harder to lose in leaf litter), with a lanyard hole and padded handle tip. Ships with the maker's "Advanced Cathole Users Manual." Thin but extremely strong — cuts turf and small roots. The enthusiast's trowel: handmade in Ohio, sold via the maker's site and Etsy.
Key Specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Material | Titanium, heat-shaped |
| Weight | ~0.6 oz / ~17 g (one owner measured 11.0 g) |
| Length | 7.25 in |
| Handle | Yellow coating, padded tip, lanyard hole |
| Price | $36 |
Pricing (dated 2026-09-20)
- $36 — maker/retailer pricing (2026).
In the Box
Trowel + "Advanced Cathole Users Manual" (including the maker's famous "soup" recipe — not that kind of soup).
Warranty
Exact warranty terms are UNVERIFIED — cottage-maker policy; confirm with QiWiz before purchase.
Support & Parts
Support is direct from the maker (qiwiz.net / Etsy). No serviceable parts; titanium is effectively lifetime.
Community Verdict (qualitative)
The Big Dig has one of the strongest reputations in the ultralight trowel world: Backpacking Light forum users report 10+ years of use ("works well and is pretty indestructible"), SectionHiker reviewed it positively with a digging demo video, and the maker's review page carries long-term thru-hiker testimonials (including a PCT thru-hike). Etsy reviews average 5.0 across 147 reviews. The consensus: the lightest real trowel — strong, durable, no sharp edges. Price ($36) is the only recurring grumble, universally dismissed as worth it.
Care
- Rinse off soil after use; titanium needs nothing else.
- The yellow handle coating can wear with heavy use — cosmetic only.
Buying Traps
- Cottage lead times: Handmade in small batches — check the maker's shipping status page before ordering for a dated trip.
- Not a pry bar: Titanium is strong but thin; it is a digging tool, not a lever (per an Etsy reviewer: "as long as your spouse understands to not use it as a pry bar, will last forever").
- MEGA Dig discontinued: Don't hunt for the 8.5 in version — it is no longer made.
Additional Voices
- SectionHiker: reviewed the Big Dig with a video demo of digging a cathole (paraphrased).
- Backpacking Light forum (March 2025): "I've been using a QiWiz Big Dig for about 10 years… it has worked well for me"; another: "using the QiWiz for more than 10 years… pretty indestructible" (paraphrased).
- Etsy reviewer: measured 11.0 g — "lightest trowel I've found" (paraphrased).
- Garage Grown Gear "Top 5 Ultralight Trowels": "Strong, very durable… I've got zero complaints about its performance" (paraphrased).
Spec Gap-Fill
- UNVERIFIED: exact warranty terms; blade width; current lead time.
Comparisons
deuce-of-spades-trowel(existing): The Deuce of Spades is the other ultralight classic; the Big Dig is the handmade titanium alternative with a longer track record in thru-hiker circles and a higher price.gsi-outdoors-cathole-trowel(this round): GSI's recycled-polycarbonate trowel is $8.95 and 3.2 oz — the budget plastic pick; the Big Dig is 0.6 oz titanium at $36 — the ultralight premium pick.pact-lite-bathroom-kit(this round): PACT Lite is a complete 4 oz / $40 bathroom system; the Big Dig is the trowel-only component for those who assemble their own kit.
Images
images/qiwiz-big-dig-trowel-1.jpg(primary; hand-hold studio shot; verified exact model 2026-09-20)images/qiwiz-big-dig-trowel-2.jpg(trowel lying flat, heat-anodized blade; verified exact model 2026-09-20)images/qiwiz-big-dig-trowel-3.jpg(in-use: SectionHiker video demo thumbnail, digging cathole; verified exact product 2026-09-20; source: i.ytimg.com)images/qiwiz-big-dig-trowel-4.jpg(maker lineup: Original / Big Dig / MEGA Dig with ruler; verified 2026-09-20; source: qiwiz.net)images/qiwiz-big-dig-trowel-5.jpg(reviewer scale photo with carabiner lanyard; verified 2026-09-20; source: sectionhiker.com)images/qiwiz-big-dig-trowel-6.jpg(in-hand soil-caked blade over ruler; verified 2026-09-20; source: sectionhiker.com)
Topped up 3→6 (2026-09-20). Earlier "settled at 3" note superseded: qiwiz.net does host a maker lineup photo (trowels720.jpg on the qiwiz.net source page — viewed but not saved locally), and sectionhiker.com review images fetch fine with a same-origin referer (403 only on cross-origin preflight).
Researched 2026-09-20. Community voices are real, sourced quotes; warranty and lead time left UNVERIFIED.