FOG HORN August, 2016

Twobirds Flying Publication

Copyright 2016, Towbirds Flying Publication. All Rights Reserved.

COLUMBIA RIVER KNIFE AND TOOL TRENCHER

Tactical Entrenching Tool

CRKT Trencher –Tactical Entrenching Tool 2016

Copyright 2016, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved

COLUMBIA RIVER KNIFE AND TOOL TRENCHER - Tactical

Entrenching Tool

By: Sal Palma

If you’ve spent time in military service you have

at some point or another been involved with

building up a defensive position. Filling sand

bags and portable barriers, et al is certainly not

the more memorable

moments of your service.

There’s nothing romantic

or particularly macho

about working from

sunrise to sunset with

that puny little shovel, yet

what you accomplish with

it may very well save your

life. Talk about irony!

Interestingly, as important as this tool is, there’s

been little change in its design over the years;

for example, the standard issue NATO

collapsible entrenching shovel manufactured by

Fiskars for the USMC and designated the E-Tool.

Although the E-Tool’s key strength is its

compactness, its function is limited to digging or

a capable blunt object, should all else fail.

Modern designs, like the CRKT Trencher, offer a

number of features not found in the standard

issue E-Tool.

The Trencher features an articulating head that

can be locked in three positions: extended, at

90° to the handle or collapsed. On one side of

the spade CRKT included aggressive saw teeth

capable of dealing with a 2” to 3” trunk fairly

easily. They are equally effective on any other

wood material, sheet rock and other materials

that you’re likely to encounter under tactical

conditions.

Opposite its saw teeth, the spade’s edge comes

to a bevel that is usable for chopping. It’s

possible, although I would not be in favor of it,

to put an aggressive edge on the spade’s

CRKT Trencher –Tactical Entrenching Tool 2016

Copyright 2016, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved

beveled side; however, doing so would require

removing quite a bit of material potentially

weakening the edge, which you’ll you want to

avoid. The beveled edge will be subjected to

stresses from chopping that require rigidity.

The spade tip is also steel reinforced for

survivability when encountering subterranean

rocks

As mentioned earlier, the spade articulates and

locks in three positions. The spade is attached

to the handle via a welded joint that is also

through bolted for a very solid working surface

that is both durable and reliable. Locking the

spade into one of its three positions is

accomplished by a hefty knurled locking nut.

Tightening or loosening the spade is made easy

by its knurled surface. It’s very easy to operate

even with the gloved hand.

The Trencher’s handle is the real differentiator

and it’s here where CRKT to an interesting

approach. To provide improved control and

insulate the hand from the inevitable shock that

chopping or digging generate the company has

added scales along the length of the handle.

The scales add significantly to the handle girth,

but if you find it a bit too large for your hands,

the scales are removable. However, you will

lose the shock mitigation benefit and enhanced

grip. I found the handle’s girth to be just right

for my hands but it may be a bit too large for

some. CRKT terminates the Trencher’s handle in

a cap drilled large enough to accommodate a

lanyard.

CRKT’s Trencher is a quality tool that’s built to

last and remain fully operational when you

most need it, but it is a bit heavy at just over 4

lbs. including its carry system. The Trencher’s

fixed length handle tends to limit practical carry

options to the outside of a backpack. The

overall length of 22 inches (head collapsed) is

just 5 inches shorter than a Commando M4 at

27 inches, with the stock collapsed.

The carry system is top-notch tactical nylon

through and through. It fits snugly and securely

over the spade, in its collapsed position,

snapping in place. Here I would suggest a

CRKT Trencher –Tactical Entrenching Tool 2016

Copyright 2016, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved

change from metal snaps, which will corrode, to

Velcro or Fastex buckles.

The back of the sheath is finished with a PALS

webbing field so it can be attached to any

MOLLE system.

Another nice feature available on the Trencher

is a wire cutter and wire stripper. The wire

cutter consists of two holes located on the neck

where spooled wire can be passed through and

cut. On the spade head, a slot was included that

can function as a wire stripper.

CRKT continues to expand its tactical line and

their Trencher is its latest addition. Everything

on this tool is robust, well made and built to

last. It’s unlikely that you’ll encounter a

condition The Trencher couldn’t handle

competently. Be it survival, camping or tactical.

CRKT’s Trencher is up to the task. A tremendous

value at its $99.99 M.S.R.P.; a bargain at some

of the street prices I’ve been seeing. Check out!

-SP

Manufacturer Specification

Dimensions

Open Overall Length 27.188 inches

Weight 3 lbs. 6 ounces

Handle

Material: Steel and Polypropylene

Carry

Carry System Nylon Sheath - MOLLE

Weight 7 ounces