When choosing a travel companion, the lighter and stronger, the better! A shovel is one of the most reliable outdoor tools. When you are camping and a sudden rain shower floods your tent with a steady stream of water, or when mud or snow blocks your car, pull out this shovel in the blink of an eye! Ordinary shovels usually stay forgotten in the shed, but this shovel will travel with you! Put it in the trunk of your car or your backpack. A light and valuable companion in times of real need, weighing only 535g (1.2 lb)! The more you use it, the more you will love it, and this tool will last you a lifetime!

◆ Not even half the weight of your typical shovel!

While a standard steel shovel weighs about 1.0 to 1.5 kg (2.2 to 3.3 lb), our "Traveling Shovel" weighs less than half that at 535 grams (1.2 lb). The head is made of titanium and the handle of aluminum.

◆ Suited for outdoor use!

Another major feature of both titanium and aluminum is that they are extremely resistant to rust and corrosion compared to iron. Titanium is used for airplane parts, glasses, and other accessories, while aluminum is used for automobile wheels, window frames, and other construction elements, as well as for one yen coins, and is also used to make outdoor products used in situations where steel cannot withstand rust and corrosion. The "Traveling Shovel" is very suitable for use in outdoor environments and is not scared of water and snow!

◆ Does not rust and stays clean!

When iron shovels rust, the surface becomes uneven and rough to the touch, and dirt and other residue start adhering to the surface. This rust-resistant titanium shovel can be kept clean and is very easy to maintain.

Caution: Rusting may occur under extremely harsh conditions, or in case of prolonged immersion in water.

◆ 54.5cm, the ideal length for both storage, portability, and functionality.

As shown in these pictures, this shovel fits in a backpack without being bulky, making it a great travel companion. In order to enhance portability, we have reduced its length to the utmost limit while also taking practicality into consideration.

In September 2021, outdoor gear producer Takuya Matsuyama visited a manufacturer in his hometown of Fukuroi, Shizuoka Prefecture. In addition to running his own design firm, Matsuyama has recently been involved in the production of camping and outdoor products, while also presiding over the "Outdoor School" and supervising the "Camping Encyclopedia".

YAMADooA Co. Ltd. is a two-year old start-up company that develops, manufactures, and sells products under the outdoor equipment brand "FIRE BANK", and whose parent company is a long-established local manufacturer of prototype and development parts that has been involved in the automobile industry for many years.

Matsuyama was asked by Nishiyama, the president of YAMADooA, to assist in the development of outdoor equipment. With more than 35 years of experience in camping, and ideas born from all the "I wish I had something like this...." kind of situations he experienced during that time, he accepted the request.

“Can we make a real shovel that can be carried anywhere? Very light and strong, say... titanium... I want to take it with me on my travels."

With this request, Matsuyama brought the idea to develop an ultra-lightweight titanium shovel. Titanium is one of the rarest and most expensive nonferrous metals, and it is difficult to shape, so not everyone can obtain or process titanium.

“I need a shovel that stays clean, light and small enough to carry in the trunk of my car or attach to my backpack, and yet sturdy and functional enough to be really useful."

Matsuyama told stories of camping by a river source, or during heavy rains, and how reassuring it is to have a real shovel when the car gets stuck on snowy or muddy roads. An ordinary shovel is too heavy. We wanted a light and dependable tool you can walk around with and that is reassuring just to have around! This is a wish shared by many campers and travelers.

And so Nishiyama decided to give the project a try.

Although he had extensive experience in purchasing and processing titanium materials for the group, this day was the start of a period of trial and error.

To answer the problematics of strength and weight reduction, a combination of a strong titanium head that can resist shocks against hard stones or rocks, and lightweight aluminum for a comfortable grip and core material was used and a number of prototypes were produced.

A few months later, the shovel was ready and in Matsuyama’s hands!

The titanium shovel, a product of YAMADooA's technology and history, fit Matsuyama's hand like an old traveling companion!

「This is a tool you can bring on your travel」

YAMADooA Co. Ltd., with Nishiyama Giken Co. Ltd. as parent company, produces the FIRE BANK products, starting with the “Traveling Shovel”, in this factory!

Fukuroi City is located in the vicinity of Hamamatsu City, where many of the world's largest companies, including Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda, Kawai, Hamamatsu Photonics, Roland, and F.C.C., have established themselves on the world stage. The western region of Shizuoka Prefecture, which includes Hamamatsu City and Fukuroi City, is one of Japan's leading industrial areas with a high concentration of small, medium companies, and start-ups that possess advanced, one-of-a-kind, and top-notch technologies, and each company is striving to improve its technology and products quality on a daily basis.

The "Traveling Shovel" is a product that fully utilizes those equipment capabilities and craftsmanship. Take this unique shovel, born from Japan's home-grown automobile industry technology, with you on your travels!

Silver grip (included accessory: storage bag)

The aluminum handle is painted silver.

Black grip (included accessory: storage bag)

The aluminum handle is painted black.

The aluminum material used for the handle is slightly more susceptible to corrosion than titanium. This time, the grip was painted to make it more resistant to rust and corrosion. We used paint used for automobile and motorcycle parts for outstanding durability.

Weight: 535g (1.2 lb)

Material: Pure Titanium (TP370 / Thickness = 2.0mm (0.08 in)), Aluminium (A6063)

Size: 545 x 160mm (21.4 x 6.3 in)

The FIRE BANK original storage bag has been updated specially for Kickstarter. Putting an accent on the Made-in Japan aspect, we used a fabric patterned with a series of family crests of warring generals.

This storage bag securely wraps the shovel from the tip of the blade to the base of the shaft, and ties at the tip to prevent the shovel from slipping out. The knot is just at the tip of the blade, so the bag not only protects the product itself, but also prevent the shovel from damaging its surroundings during transportation and ensures the safety of the user.

Project Starts January 10th

Project Ends February 9th

Rewards prepared & shipped March 2023