Recommended Tools
The basic overseer tool set includes the following tools that may be carried or packed on routine maintenance trips. Most are available in the PATC tool caches, but overseers may want to purchase the tools that they find most useful (and affordable). The caches are shared among many volunteers, so the availability of a specific item may be unreliable. A small, sheathed pruning saw and small, lightweight set of loppers are highly recommended for purchase (tools recommended for personal purchase are marked with a blue exclamation point !, tools that require specific training are marked with a red exclamation point !). See the links page for additional tool-related resources and links to tool suppliers.
pruning saws !
These saws have become the tool of choice for removing small to medium-sized blowdowns and for trimming woody vegetation. They are available in a wide variety of styles and sizes, and from many different manufacturers.The 13" non-folding variety is especially useful for general trail maintenance tasks. It's packable, very sharp (a rugged sheath is recommended), and sturdy enough to last many seasons. The longer versions (up to 26") are handy for removing larger blowdowns, and are cheaper and easier to pack than one-man crosscuts (below).
loppers !
Loppers are available in two basic varieties: bypass and anvil-type. Bypass loppers have two sharpened edges that cut across each other in a scissors fashion. These tools are useful for making clean cuts in living material. Anvil-type loppers have one cutting edge that hits a soft plate, and are used for cutting thicker branches and trimming deadfall. The Fiskars "PowerGear" model, shown on the left, are extremely popular with trail maintainers. They're small, packable, and very lightweight.
pruning shears
Pruning shears, like loppers, come in two basic styles, anvil-type and bypass. Bypass shears have a scissor action that usually results in a cleaner cut. Anvil-type shears have a sharp edge that cuts against a soft plate, and are appropriate for tougher material. Shears can be carried in a belt-holster, and are convenient for quick pruning jobs.
picks and mattocks ~
Picks and mattocks are available in many styles and combinations. The tool of choice, for general trail maintenance, is the pick mattock, which has a head that includes a narrow pick on one side (useful for loosening packed material or prying rocks from the tread) and a widened mattock on the other (useful for grubbing and removing loosened dirt and cobble). Pick handles should be made from hickory or fiberglass. Wooden handles should be inspected to insure that the grain runs parallel with the wedge slot, to prevent splitting on impact.
hoes and rakes
PATC tool caches usually include McLeod hoes and fire rakes. McLeods (pictured at left) are useful for cleaning waterbars and compacting loosened material. Fire rakes are excellent tools for clearing duff and vegetation.
drawknives and shaping tools
This category of tools includes adzes, bark spuds, broad axes, and drawknives. These tools are used for shaping timber and for removal of bark from logs. Overseers will find a draw knife handy for removing bark from locust sections, before installing them as waterbars (see Erosion Control).
For information on drawknife use and care, see Tips from the Crew: How to Sharpen Drawknives.
swing blades, brush axes, and machetes !
Overseers who do not own a gasoline-powered string trimmer (or who prefer a light-weight option, on occasion) should consider the purchase of a swing blade (or weed whip). The PATC caches are usually stocked with hand weeders, but they are borrowed frequently during the summer months. See the Vegetation Control page for more details on tools and their proper use, and to
How to Sharpen a Hand Weeder for sharpening instructions.

axes, pulaskis, adzes, and hatchets !
Every trail overseer should own at least one well made ax. The considerations, when purchasing a quality ax, are 1) handle material and length, 2) single bit vs double bit, 3) weight of the tool, and 4) head pattern. Overseers may want to consider a double-bit model, which includes one razor-sharp side and one duller side (for cutting near dirt or rocks), although this version is somewhat more dangerous, and should be used carefully.
Hatchets may be useful for scraping bark, before painting blazes (see Blazing).
Pulaskis are combination tools that include an ax head and small, grubbing mattock. They are useful for operations that involve chopping and removing roots and removing rootballs.
More information on the care and correct use of axes is available in the video, An Ax to Grind and in the downloadable book that accompanies it. Another excellent source of information, concerning the care and sharpening of axes is available in the "Tips" article: How to Sharpen an Axe.

hammers and rock shaping tools
Repair of cribwalls and stonework should generally be left to trail crews, but may be tackled by experienced volunteers. Rock cutting and shaping tools include a variety of hammers, star drills, and wedge/feather sets (the Forest Service publication, Hand Drilling and Breaking Rock for Wilderness Trails [see Links] is an excellent introduction to rock work).
Sledge and mash hammers are used by maintainers to create "crush and fill" for tread repairs (i.e. the process of turning large rocks into little rocks). Sledge hammers are inexpensive and come in several weights (8 to 20 pounds). Mash hammers are expensive and may only be used for striking material (i.e. they may not be struck, themselves).
digging bars and pry bars
Leverage tools are extremely useful for moving large items from the tread (sawed blowdowns, rocks, etc.). Digging bars (without a flattened end) are preferred, since they bend less and offer greater leverage. Longer bars are also preferred, although the weight of these tools increases dramatically as they grow.
rope, straps, and chain !
A small coil of polyester rope and/or several 10' nylon straps are lightweight, inexpensive, easily packed, and very useful for multiple purposes.
peaveys, cant hooks and timber carriers
Loggers have developed a number of tools for moving timber. Peaveys and cant hooks are meant to re-position large logs, and can be useful in sawing operations (to raise the material for cutting). Timber carriers are typically designed for two or more workers, and simpify the work of moving heavy logs (e.g. locust sections for waterbars).
crosscut saws !
Crosscut saws are available in two basic lengths (one-man and two-man), two cutting type (bucking saws and felling saws), and several tooth patterns (designed for different types and conditions of wood). Bucking saws will, generally, be more useful to trail overseers. These saws have straight, stiff backs (as opposed to the curved backs of felling saws) and may be "crescent ground", i.e. manufactured with the metal thinner at the back than at the teeth, to minimize binding. A very complete discussion of crosscut styles, crosscut skills, and the care of saws is available at: The Crosscut Manual
sharpening tools
A useful set of sharpening tools will depend on the condition and type of tool that requires care (e.g. crosscut saws require a very specific set of sharpening and setting tools; new tools may arrive unsharpened; badly damaged tools may need to be ground and restored with a new cutting edge). The basic set of all-purpose sharpening tools should include a 10" mill bastard file for rough sharpening, and whetstones for finishing, deburring and honing. Care should be used, when electric grinders are used, to preserve the temper of the tool, since grinders can over-heat metal.
Other tools that are useful for trail overseers and crews are listed below. PATC overseers must be trained and certified to use chain saws in their volunteer work. Similarly, PATC rigging equipment (GripHoist winches, highline gear, etc.) are reserved for volunteers who have completed an approved training course.
string trimmers
On those trails where motorized tools are permitted (motorized tools are prohibited on all trails in designated Wilderness), gasoline-powered string trimmers are highly recommended. The PATC tool caches include a number of trimmers. Volunteers using the club-provided trimmers will need to provide their own fuel, their own safety gear (eye/ear protection, boots, and gloves) and will need to ensure that only the appropriate oil-fuel mixture is used in the trimmers. While cutting string is usually available in the caches, maintainers may want to check in at PATC headquarters and carry additional supplies to the cache.
Volunteers, interested in purchasing a trimmer for trail use, should only consider quality tools that are intended for heavy use.
chain saws !
Use of chain saws is prohibited on any Wilderness-designated trail section, and is limited to volunteers who have valid certification to use the tool. Certification is granted after successful completion of a 2-day training course, and successful completion of an approved First Aid/CPR class. Certification is valid for three years. Sawyers operating chain saws on PATC-maintained trails must be equipped with the following personal protective equipment: leather boots, gloves, helmet, eye protection, ear protection, and cut-resistant chaps or pants. The PATC has a limited number of saws available for loan to certified sawyers.
winches, come-alongs, rigging gear !
The PATC owns several heavy-duty GripHoist winches, which are available to volunteers who have completed a safety training class. The winches, along with the associated rigging gear (straps, slings, blocks, shackles, cable, and cable-joining hardware) must be checked out with a crew leader, District Manager, or the PATC Trails Coordinator.
Come-alongs are a cheaper and safer alternative to the heavy-duty winches, and may be easily carried by a single volunteer. Come-along winches are useful for applying tension to blowdowns, during sawing operations, and for dragging large material from the treadway.