[killer_carlson]

I prefer the ergonomic one.

I replaced a plastic blade one with a metal blade shovel. The plastic just wore out. However the metal blade was useless. It caught on every imperfection in the concrete and was useless, especially at the angle i hold it at (being fairly tall 6'3"). Ended up giving it away (or I may even have just left it out at the garbage and a homeless type took it). In any event, I went and bought a new plastic ergonomic one and will stick with those for the time being. As an aside, the ergonomic plastic ones are also really effective at scooping up piles of leaves in the fall.

And AC Gold's techniques are bang on correct.