Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors

Celebrate Nemo’s 15th Anniversary with this Amazing Wood Carving Kit

By

It’s no secret that Nemo Equipment is one of favorite outdoors brands. From comfy sleeping bags to some of the best tents on the market, Nemo’s meticulous design is evident in every product. Since they are celebrating their 15th anniversary this month, Nemo’s founder, Cam Brensinger, wanted to release a limited edition product that reflected his love of design and craftsmanship. The Spoon Shaper Kit ($130) reflects Brensinger’s love of wood working, and Nemo’s dedication to personalized, and carefully curated products.

Nemo’s dedication to building unique products began with Brensinger’s careful eye for detail and design while attending the Rhode Island School of Design. Following graduation, he brought careful design and focus to the outdoors market with Nemo’s first AirSupported tents. That heritage has guided every product since, from award winning sleeping bags to ultralight backpacking tents.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Spoon Shaper Kit reflects both Nemo’s commitment to innovation, and Brensinger’s love of working with his hands on distinctive, personalized products. The kit is purpose built to help you carve and shape a camp spoon (hence the name). Each tool included serves a purpose, with no superfluous inclusions. It’s important to note, no instructions or wood ships with the kit, so you’re on your own to head out on the trail and find some local deadwood to start carving your own spoon.

Recommended Videos

First up is a folding Opinel No.12 Saw. It made short work of some scrap wood as we explored options with pine and apple branches for our own spoons. The Morakniv 106 Woodcarving Knife makes an excellent option to start roughing out your design. The polished wood handle and short blade are as at home shaving small bits off your spoon as they will be on display in your office. Finally Nemo included a hook knife that works very well in hollowing out your spoon’s bowl – beware though, this little tool is incredibly sharp.

Nemo’s 15th anniversary, and beyond, will bring us more of our favorite sleeping bags, tents, and pads. Until then, you couldn’t make a better choice for a personal project or Father’s Day gift than the Spoon Shaper. Grab one fast though, as only a small batch will be available before they are sold out forever.

Austin Parker
Austin Parker
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Austin Parker is a former contributor at The Manual Parker is a powder skier and sport climber and is no stranger hauling…
Why trail runners should consider using a walkie talkie for safety
The GXT67 Pro might just be what you need to stay connected on the trail
Man using GXT67 PRO radio from Midland

Cell service isn't always available when hiking or backpacking in the wilderness, but know there's a better way. And no, I'm not talking about satellite connection. While that tends to be better than regular cell service, there's nothing is more reliable right now than a walkie talkie. Two-way radios are coming back into the mainstream scene, this time, through trail runners! Here's why you should use a walkie talkie while trail running, how to be prepared, and our personal recommendations for the best one to use.
Why use a walkie talkie while trail running?

While out on the trail, it's easy to feel disconnected. Maybe that's the point, but if anything goes wrong, you might be in real trouble. Quick communication can be lifesaving if you or someone in your party happens to fall into a high-stakes situation like getting lost or breaking an ankle. Having a walkie talkie on hand and knowing that you can reach out to someone will increase your peace of mind while you're out on the trail.

Read more
These are the national parks undergoing controlled burns to cut wildfire risks
Going to one of these national parks soon? You might just see some smoke.
Shenandoah National Park in the fall

Prescribed burns are one of the park rangers' most important tools to protect their national parks and ecosystems. By intentionally burning off the excess vegetation like dry grass, shrubs, and dead wood, prescribed burns ultimately reduce the chance of wildfires because there won't be any old vegetation to catch fire later. It's far better for the National Forest Service and local fire teams to do the burns in a controlled setting than to watch it get out of hand later in the year. Here are the national parks across America that are currently in their burning phase:

Shenandoah National Park: Fire managers plan to burn approximately 40 acres of Big Meadows and 20 acres in the park's headquarters. Weather permitting, the burn will start on March 11 and end around April 30th.
Voyageurs National Park: This month, burns will take place in selected wetlands near Black Bay and Cranberry Bay on Rainy Lake to eliminate invasive hybrid cattails and reduce woody plant encroachment.
Cape Cod National Seashore: Prescribed burns will occur at Fort Hill in Eastham during the second week of March. The affected area will be 14 acres along the hillside adjacent to the upper parking lot at Fort Hill.
George Washington Carver National Monument: From March 10th to the 14th, this national monument plans a prescribed burn of about 100 acres to reduce woody species. While the area will be open to visitors, the Carver trail will be closed.

Read more
Camping tips: How to dry your hiking shoes fast after a rainy day on the trail
How to dry your camping shoes overnight
Man wearing yellow jacket and backpack hiking or rucking in forest or woods with tall trees

If you've been hiking for any length of time, chances are you've encountered a bit of rain or a mud puddle here or there. Sometimes, trails can seem like downright swamps, especially in the Seattle area, where it rains for much of the year. As an avid hiker in the Seattle area, wet hiking shoes are the norm here. There are several different ways to combat this, especially when you need to have your hiking shoes in top shape by morning. Here's how to dry your hiking shoes overnight while camping.
How to dry your wet hiking shoes overnight

Dry them by the campfire
One of the best ways to dry shoes is by using the heat from your campfire if fires are allowed at your campsite. This can be done safely if you place them near but not too close to your fire. Remove the insoles and let them air out naturally.

Read more