Trenching tool and method

A hand tool comprising:

• a non-enclosed blade having a first end and a second end, thereby defining a blade axis, the first end comprising a cutting edge capable of penetrating soil, and the blade being capable of receiving soil and supporting same thereon along the blade axis;
• a substantially longitudinal handle support with one end secured to said second end of said non-enclosed blade and an open end of the blade and an open end of the handle support extending away from said non-enclosed blade;
• and
• an elongated handle with a first end capable of securing to said open end of said handle support, and a second end extending away from said handle support, the handle providing a point thereon that is directly above the center of gravity of the hand tool when the handle is in a substantially vertical orientation while said blade axis is in a slightly inclined orientation toward the first end, wherein said handle support provides positioning of the handle's long axis such that the extension of same would intersect the blade axis in the proximity of the midpoint of the blade axis, whereby the user can grasp the handle and lift the hand tool, including debris piled on the blade, without providing a horizontal force component to the handle in order to maintain the debris on the blade, thereby eliminating forces that could result in back strain for the user.

A method of removing debris from an open trench including the steps of:

• providing a means of supporting a non-enclosed blade, the blade being adapted to be able to penetrate soil;
• providing a handle means for the user to grasp at a free end thereof and a second end supporting the non-enclosed blade;
• allowing gravitational force to orient the handle in a substantially vertical position, do at least partially to the non-enclosed blade;
• allowing the handle to remain substantially vertical when said non-inclosed blade is loaded with debris, and
• applying only vertical force on the handle, with debris loaded on the non-inclosed blade, thus providing displacement of the debris.