Customer Reviews

Fiskars 7979 Composite Transplanter

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although this is designed as transplanter, I purchased this spade to use as a lightweight digging tool when hiking in case a one of the hiking party needs to dig a hole for use as a bathroom/latrine or to dig a shallow fire pit when camping. The spade is sufficiently lightweight that it adds no appreciable weight to my pack but is strong enough that it works to dig in all but the hardest soil where any spade, composite or metal, would be of limited worth and where one would have to use a shovel in any event. The material is described as a nylon/fiberglass composite rather than plastic. The "nyglass" material is, in fact, stronger than a spade of this size in plastic would be - it is quite sturdy and inflexible. The blade is a little thicker than a metal counterpart, however, so it requires that more energy be expended to dig in compacted soil.

I got this and it's bigger brother for taking specimens in the wild. It weighs 83 grams (2.9oz). It is stronger and more rigid than most of the metal hand spades I own. It has rounded edges though so it's not for cutting through fibrous roots, but it might hold an edge well enough if sharpened, which I might try. So far no problem in Florida soils (mostly sand). Packing or biking it's perfect for me.

Update: I saw it for 99 cents at HM DPT.