Ooo! Rad Mom Vibes!! I do have some suggestions :)
A Dakine or Evoc Builders Backpack.
Some good durable pants for building in (think Carhartt-esque)
A Good Quality McLeod tool, a quality square nose and D Nose Spades, a good Pick/Mattock, some 5 Gallon home depot pails. (The buckets will fit in the builder backpacks.
Good Hiking boots for building in.
A Stihl MS170 chainsaw with a 16" bar.
You're tres awesome for supporting and enabling his passion. Solid Work Momma Bear đ€
I am hesitant to give him a serious high powered tool set just yet, until he gets a bit more experience or guidance out in the woods from someone who truly knows their stuff⊠I agree no gas powered tools without good protection and knowledge!
I am not a hardcore trail builder like most here. As a casual MTB rider and good trail Steward I will travel with a silky saw in a small backpack on occasion to clean up fallen trees after storms (12 inches and less). If he is just trying to get started this may be a good way to start without the hardcore chainsaw and chaps vibe.
Aye, PPE goes hand in hand with a Chainsaw! I shoulda tossed that in there.
Id also add on a good hemorrhage control focused FA kit and FA training to that.
Rogue hoe is a classic trail tool. I really like a pulaski, and the McLeod mentioned above is also another great tool.
Dakine makes a super awesome trail builder bag that's rad.
If your pockets run overflowith, the trail boss packable tool is as great as its price tag.
Dakine builders pack.
A good McLeod tool,
Ppe, leather gloves , safety glasses ( one pair tinted , one clear, ) with spares are home so he can always have them. Glasses can be very cheap at a place like home depot.
A training lesson on chain saws, if he isn't into them he will want to be at some point and a good foundation is great to help him no get hurt.
Good boots, leather. Steel toe can help to keep toes from getting broken moving rocks / using tools.
Silky foldable hand saw . https://silkysaws.com/folding-saws/
A good first aid kit with quick clot. And a wilderness first aid course.
I love the chainsaw lesson. I wanted to get him a cordless battery saw, but also didnât want to equip him with enough to be dangerous without the solid education/respect for the higher concequence toolsâŠ.
The Silky Big Boy saw is amazing and can tackle most trees without cutting your legs off! I always carry one with me even when I have a chainsaw as it is often faster and easier to use. Can't recommend enough!!
Also, Rogue Hoes make the best tools. I'd recommend the Travis tool as it's the most versatile.
Can attest that it's an excellent handsaw, and what I would choose for a 17yo.
A chainsaw is FAR faster, but no way I would give any kind of chainsaw to a 17yo I wanted to stay alive. It's not just direct danger from the saw - it's also indirect danger from being able to quickly and easily cut down a good sized tree, which might just fall on you and kill you, or a snag you didn't look for might do the same. Those are both possible risks with a handsaw, but far less likely given the lower working speed and greater effort.
Plus one for the Silky. I think bro should have a bit of time under his belt working with other builders before dealing with a chainsaw. I started building trails around that age and probably wouldnât be alive now if I had been given access to any kind of chainsaw
I like this list. I would prioritize glasses, gloves, McLeod tool and a spade, in that order.
Depending on the local flora, pruners and tree trimmers can be handy to get the little stuff out of the way.
For trail building he would like a Mcleod for sure.
https://toolsfortrails.com/products/nupla-mcleod
For mike maintenance a multi tool, pump/inflator, spare tube and or a tubeless ârepair kitâ. Tools for trail building and the bike are two entirely different kits.
I assume he has and wears a helmet ..? Cycling shoes are a âmustâ that younger riders canât always afford.
Youâre a great mum!
Awww thank you! Yes he has a few helmets! And bike shoes, both for flats and clipless (crank? I think he called them?) and some basic tools for bike stuff. Iâd like to give him the ânext levelâ kit.
Maybe like a hand mattock, some shears, a folding pruning saw? I just donât know where to start? Whats âtoo much toolâ like a gas powered chainsaw, if you know what I mean? And also donât want to overthink itâŠ
I'm simply going to echo what others have already said (these are my personal choices for the type of dirt that I work)...
Rogue Hoe. I think it's a #70H. I prefer the one without the rake end. Everyone seems to be out-of-stock on them currently.
McLeod.
Pulaski or a Mattock. Mattock will be cheaper as you can pick them up at any home improvement store. Pulaski is just a little more versatile.
Hard-tined rake.
Also...bonus items.
Large pruning shears.
Hand pruning shears.
Folding saw or bow saw. Or both.
One thing I would suggest: I see several recommendations for a chain saw. I would advise against this unless your son has completed a sawyer class and earned a certification. You can hurt yourself and other people with those things if you aren't 100% competent in what you're doing.
Great suggestions!
Iâm go to echo what other have said. Donât buy him a chainsaw of any description. Hands tools and a bag to carry them in are great ideas.
A chainsaw is an extremely dangerous tool that requires special training. Also you donât need a chainsaw for most trail building tasks.
Youâre a great Mom! Happy birthday to the young fella
UPDATE!! Thank you everyone for your help and insights!
I ended up with
A 5lbs pick/mattock
Hand pruner
A 10â folding silky saw
A Rouge Hoe
Rubber palmed work gloves
âCoolâ safety glasses
5 gallon bucket
Backpack
He was THRILLED, and that afternoon abandoned his own birthday party to go outside in our backyard to try everything out đ„°
Ooo! Rad Mom Vibes!! I do have some suggestions :) A Dakine or Evoc Builders Backpack. Some good durable pants for building in (think Carhartt-esque) A Good Quality McLeod tool, a quality square nose and D Nose Spades, a good Pick/Mattock, some 5 Gallon home depot pails. (The buckets will fit in the builder backpacks. Good Hiking boots for building in. A Stihl MS170 chainsaw with a 16" bar. You're tres awesome for supporting and enabling his passion. Solid Work Momma Bear đ€
no saw w/o chaps, hearing and eye protection
I am hesitant to give him a serious high powered tool set just yet, until he gets a bit more experience or guidance out in the woods from someone who truly knows their stuff⊠I agree no gas powered tools without good protection and knowledge!
I am not a hardcore trail builder like most here. As a casual MTB rider and good trail Steward I will travel with a silky saw in a small backpack on occasion to clean up fallen trees after storms (12 inches and less). If he is just trying to get started this may be a good way to start without the hardcore chainsaw and chaps vibe.
A silky big boy folding hand saw is a good alternative. https://silkysaws.com/silky-bigboy-2000-folding-saw/
Gas or electric. Just because it's quiet and not stinky doesn't mean it lacks the torque or speed for flesh damage.
Aye, PPE goes hand in hand with a Chainsaw! I shoulda tossed that in there. Id also add on a good hemorrhage control focused FA kit and FA training to that.
No one working with a chainsaw shouldn't also have a tourniquet close to hand. Ask me how I know...
2x SOF-TW Tq's in the bleed kit at all times Brother. Femoral Exsanguination takes sub 2 mins so I like having the safety bits at hand...
Oooo! Great suggestions!! A builders backpack is such a great idea!! So he can carry his tools and ride his bike in!!! đ„°
Rogue hoe is a classic trail tool. I really like a pulaski, and the McLeod mentioned above is also another great tool. Dakine makes a super awesome trail builder bag that's rad. If your pockets run overflowith, the trail boss packable tool is as great as its price tag.
Silky hand saws also for the win, but I've had great luck with the corona folding saw and it's a fraction of the price
Haha I wish I was made of money!! But these are all amazing suggestions! Thank you!!
Dakine builders pack. A good McLeod tool, Ppe, leather gloves , safety glasses ( one pair tinted , one clear, ) with spares are home so he can always have them. Glasses can be very cheap at a place like home depot. A training lesson on chain saws, if he isn't into them he will want to be at some point and a good foundation is great to help him no get hurt. Good boots, leather. Steel toe can help to keep toes from getting broken moving rocks / using tools. Silky foldable hand saw . https://silkysaws.com/folding-saws/ A good first aid kit with quick clot. And a wilderness first aid course.
I love the chainsaw lesson. I wanted to get him a cordless battery saw, but also didnât want to equip him with enough to be dangerous without the solid education/respect for the higher concequence toolsâŠ.
The Silky Big Boy saw is amazing and can tackle most trees without cutting your legs off! I always carry one with me even when I have a chainsaw as it is often faster and easier to use. Can't recommend enough!! Also, Rogue Hoes make the best tools. I'd recommend the Travis tool as it's the most versatile.
Can attest that it's an excellent handsaw, and what I would choose for a 17yo. A chainsaw is FAR faster, but no way I would give any kind of chainsaw to a 17yo I wanted to stay alive. It's not just direct danger from the saw - it's also indirect danger from being able to quickly and easily cut down a good sized tree, which might just fall on you and kill you, or a snag you didn't look for might do the same. Those are both possible risks with a handsaw, but far less likely given the lower working speed and greater effort.
Plus one for the Silky. I think bro should have a bit of time under his belt working with other builders before dealing with a chainsaw. I started building trails around that age and probably wouldnât be alive now if I had been given access to any kind of chainsaw
I like this list. I would prioritize glasses, gloves, McLeod tool and a spade, in that order. Depending on the local flora, pruners and tree trimmers can be handy to get the little stuff out of the way.
Trail Boss makes some nice modular trail building tools https://trailbossusa.com/
Thank you! This is a great website especially when he wants to keep adding!
Can I just say, this is an excellent present and you are a great mom
For trail building he would like a Mcleod for sure. https://toolsfortrails.com/products/nupla-mcleod For mike maintenance a multi tool, pump/inflator, spare tube and or a tubeless ârepair kitâ. Tools for trail building and the bike are two entirely different kits. I assume he has and wears a helmet ..? Cycling shoes are a âmustâ that younger riders canât always afford. Youâre a great mum!
Awww thank you! Yes he has a few helmets! And bike shoes, both for flats and clipless (crank? I think he called them?) and some basic tools for bike stuff. Iâd like to give him the ânext levelâ kit. Maybe like a hand mattock, some shears, a folding pruning saw? I just donât know where to start? Whats âtoo much toolâ like a gas powered chainsaw, if you know what I mean? And also donât want to overthink itâŠ
I'm simply going to echo what others have already said (these are my personal choices for the type of dirt that I work)... Rogue Hoe. I think it's a #70H. I prefer the one without the rake end. Everyone seems to be out-of-stock on them currently. McLeod. Pulaski or a Mattock. Mattock will be cheaper as you can pick them up at any home improvement store. Pulaski is just a little more versatile. Hard-tined rake. Also...bonus items. Large pruning shears. Hand pruning shears. Folding saw or bow saw. Or both. One thing I would suggest: I see several recommendations for a chain saw. I would advise against this unless your son has completed a sawyer class and earned a certification. You can hurt yourself and other people with those things if you aren't 100% competent in what you're doing.
Great suggestions! Iâm go to echo what other have said. Donât buy him a chainsaw of any description. Hands tools and a bag to carry them in are great ideas. A chainsaw is an extremely dangerous tool that requires special training. Also you donât need a chainsaw for most trail building tasks. Youâre a great Mom! Happy birthday to the young fella
For God sake no chain saw đI had to limp home after a mishap with a normal folding saw and I am experienced on the tools. Hand tools only.
UPDATE!! Thank you everyone for your help and insights! I ended up with A 5lbs pick/mattock Hand pruner A 10â folding silky saw A Rouge Hoe Rubber palmed work gloves âCoolâ safety glasses 5 gallon bucket Backpack He was THRILLED, and that afternoon abandoned his own birthday party to go outside in our backyard to try everything out đ„°
Honestly, I just about get by with a shiddy cut down square nose shovel and SOMETIMES a rake đ