A Comprehensive Guide to Trail Building Hand Tool Suppliers > > >
Those who are passionate about mountain biking, hiking, running, or simply love the great outdoors know the importance of well-maintained trails. But of course as everyone reading here at Single Track Communications knows, behind every winding bit of single track and scenic route lies the hard work of trail builders armed with the right tools.
In this article, with support from comments on the STC Instagram account and many trail builders within the MTB Trail Building group on Facebook, I’ve compiled a list of companies and brands specializing in hand-building tools for trail construction and maintenance. Whether you’re a seasoned steward of the trails or just starting to explore the world of trail building, this resource has been assembled to be your go-to guide finding hand tools accessibly to your region, built for the needs of trail builders.
Why Hand Tools Matter
Before we dive into the list, let’s highlight the significance of hand-building tools in trail maintenance. These tools are the backbone of sustainable trail development, ensuring that trails remain safe, accessible, and enjoyable for all trail users.
Hand tools can also go anywhere. When big equipment can’t access an area or a traditional hand built feel is the purpose to a trail, dependable hand tools are a trail builders best friend. Despite how a trail is built—machine or not—hand tools are what maintains a trail for the rest of its life. Choosing quality trail tools, built for the job, is essential.
From heavy-duty hoes and shovels to precision-grade rakes and saws, each tool plays a crucial role in shaping and preserving the natural beauty of our favourite trails. Choosing the right tools not only enhances the trail-building process but also contributes to the longevity of the paths we love to explore.
Navigating the Tool Landscape
Understanding that geographical location can influence tool availability, I’ve organized the list based on North American regions along with companies in other countries, in alphabetical order, making it easier for you to identify companies that might exist in your general region. Whether you’re up and down the mountains, deep in the forests, or building along rolling hills, you should be able to find a reliable tool provider whose products are accessible from your region.
Of note, three of the companies listed below are not tool manufacturing companies, but tool retailers carrying various brands, expanding the accessibility of tools, often across the country. They are marked accordingly.
TRAIL BUILDING HAND TOOL COMPANIES by Region
| Digging and Shaping Tools | |
| 🇨🇦 CANADA | |
| Cascadia Trailbuilder Supply (retailer of various brands) | British Columbia |
| MTN Metal Works | British Columbia |
| Sentiers Boréals (retailer of various brands) | Quebec |
| Shapeshifter Tools | British Columbia |
| 🇺🇸 UNITED STATES | |
| Backslope Tools | Colorado |
| Camelot Tools | Massachusetts |
| Prohoe Manufacturing (Rogue Hoe manufacturer) | Kansas |
| Rogue Hoe Distributing (Rogue Hoe distributor) | Missouri |
| Tools for Trails (retailer of various brands) | Colorado |
| Trail Boss | Washington |
| Up.bike Trail Tools | Michigan |
| OTHER COUNTRIES | |
| BTR Trail Tool | United Kingdom |
| Dörte Tools | Germany |
| R’Tool | France |
| World Trail | Australia (Queensland) |
| Trail Scapes | Australia (South Australia) |
| Other Tool Companies of Special Note* | * Confirm availability local to your region. |
| Agawa (saws) | Canada (ship globally) |
| A.M. Leonard (shovels) | USA |
| Silky Saws (saws) | USA (ships & distributed globally) |
| Corona Tools (loppers) | USA (distributed in North America) |
| Fiskars (saws & shovels) | Finland (ship & distributed globally) |
| Bahco (saws) | France (distributed globally) |
| Felco (saws & loppers) | Switzerland (ship & distributed globally) |
| ARS (saws & loppers) | Japan (distributed globally) |
Access to quality hand-building tools tailored for your use, in your region, is critical to looking after our trails. Whether you’re a trail steward with a long-standing trail organization, or part of a new user-driven trail-building initiative, use this list to navigate the diverse landscape of trail tool companies and where to find them.
Happy trail building and maintaining friends!
🏞️ — Dave Ternier
(This list is meant to be dynamic, with modifications made as new and more information is available. Please contribute to the accuracy and completeness of this list by submitting any additional tool company names or corrections that should be considered.)