Let's talk about snow shovels

[Ducay]

Its that time of year again, and figure we could help sort out the different types of shovels to determine the optimal type for the job.

Which type do you prefer and for what reason? (Snow thrower crowd need not apply)

I currently rock the traditional pusher (curved circle-y blade). Great for pushing, not so great for lifting and throwing.



Looking into getting either an angled handle one, or a utility shovel, for the lifting/throwing of the snow once its all piled up.



Anyone have a preference between the two? I find the angled handle ones not great for pushing, and still not great for lifting (but better than stright handle ones, as get better leverage). Anyone use a utility shovel?

What about wide pushers?


I've also got a straight handled one like this (boxey blade) which I find is terrible for everything

[BigNumbers]

My uncle swears by the the Wovel (TM)







but I have had good luck given Calgary's frequent light (<20mm) dustings

[mykalberta]

I have one similar to your first post for moving snow and one from the second pic for when I have to lift and move snow.

Both have metal edges on them, I would never buy a simple plasic edged shovel.

I also have the garden ice chipper thing if its ever needed.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by BigNumbers

My uncle swears by the the Wovel (TM)

No man should ever use this.....

[DoubleK]

In Soviet Russia, snow shovels you!!

[fundmark19]

I saw that canadian tire had some metal shovels again has anyone tried them?

Where did you get the squeegee shovel? I really need to get one for the garage. I also have a crosswalk in front of my house so my shovel is getting chipped away by always hitting those cracks. Do the metal bottoms make it a little more solid?

[burn_this_city]

I tried to use a curvy one, found it really awkward to use.

[Ducay]

I find the metal edge ones come in two styles:

1. Hard sharp edge: Terrible as catches on concrete "joints" or on exposed aggregate.

2. Rolled curved edges: do not clear pavement at all.


I actually prefer plastic edges as they scrape the best for me, and don't catch as much or do any damage.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Ducay

I find the metal edge ones come in two styles:

1. Hard sharp edge: Terrible as catches on concrete "joints" or on exposed aggregate.

2. Rolled curved edges: do not clear pavement at all.


I actually prefer plastic edges as they scrape the best for me, and don't catch as much or do any damage.

I had a metal one for the driveway/sidewalk and a plastic one for the deck(s).

My metal one just gave up the ghost. So now I need to find a new one.

PS: i just bought the yellow on in you OP, as a stop gap measure. It is a POS.

[Rathji]

I just send my 4 year old out to shovel the snow. I find that he likes this one best:

http://www.qualitytrading.com/kids-snow-shovel.html


but he does pull out the bigger one when he shovels around the culdesac.

[Slava]

I hate metal shovels. Plastic is the way to go for sure, because it glides along, and doesn't catch on every little thing. I just went with the bent handle, plastic and its pretty good. Easy on your back and glides nice along the concrete.

[DuffMan]

Has anyone seen anywhere to get replacement shovels or scoops or whatever to go onto the existing still good handle.

Garant shovels in particular.

[puckluck2]

Costco shovels are the best.

[northcrunk]

Just picked up a plastic shovel/ice breaker kit from Lowes for $25 and it's great.

[Kerplunk]

I usually use a steel push shovel. I tried both aluminum and plastic, but they usually wear out way too soon (less then a season), and don't clear as well. It also gives off a nice metallic ring when I get ticked off at all the snow and toss it into the street.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Costco shovels are the best.

Specific answer. I assume they sell more than one?



Anyone use a grain shovel for lifting?

[Northendzone]

i use a blow tourch and just melt the snow

[sec304]

Why do people steal snow shovels? Someone in my family who lives in a new part of Sage Hill said somebody went by and stole all of the snow shovels from her and all of her neighbors on the street.

Is there some black market for $20 snow shovels? Or are they doing it just to piss people off?

[Canehdianman]

Originally Posted by sec304

Why do people steal snow shovels? Someone in my family who lives in a new part of Sage Hill said somebody went by and stole all of the snow shovels from her and all of her neighbors on the street.

Is there some black market for $20 snow shovels? Or are they doing it just to piss people off?

Probably the local 15 year old entrepreneur trying to increase business.

[Minnie]

We bought two of the 'ergonomic' shovels. We double up on the shoveling so that we can get it done faster and get back inside. </lazy> Then we stick one of them at the back door for shoveling a path for the dogs to go out. We had the straight handled ones and they just killed the back. Much prefer the curved handled ones like you posted.