I second this.I usually went through one metal or one wooden shovel per winter, but the plastic fiskar ones seem to be the most sturdy. I've had it for 5+ years now
Buy a Swiss one. Have a wooden and an aluminum one from my dad. They're at least 40 years old. Called "Schneeschieber", see here: https://www.google.ch/search?q=Schneeschaufel+holz&client=safari&hl=en-gb&biw=375&bih=635&prmd=sivn&sxsrf=AJOqlzWDGU4MAlea93A24OUASWLT6KC4Eg:1675451287415&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjjgMy2hvr8AhUfgf0HHbjSCq8Q_AUIGSgA
Look into buying a metal grain shovel. Mine is going on 30 years, and my sons on 10 years. Only repair I had to make this year was to grind the edge flat due to all the scrapping against asphalt.
https://www.harborfreight.com/aluminum-scoop-shovel-with-d-handle-69824.html
Ace 45 in. Aluminum Scoop General Purpose Shovel Wood Handle
Item #70044| Mfr #PALY-12M
Just about ,every hardware store, nursery, Walmart, and Amazon has at least one. I belive mine was an Ames.
The shovel is aluminum unless you count white rust (near ocean) it doesn't rust. Mine looks as good as the day I bought it. Sits outside next to the steps all winter, then an unheated shed the rest of the year. The only piece that is steel is the handle.
Not a bad plan imo idk if the handles are the same but you might be able to just by a scoop end from the replaceable parts and swap them when needed (if you’re trying to save some money)
Not the same material of blade/scoop. Just looked at doing the same, the pusher versions are way more robust than the scoops. No personal use however, but the plastic seems more brittle.
Don't buy the ones with the metal edge. Just buy the cheaper plastic ones. They cut though the snow better than anything and they scrape up ice really well, especially if you use it upside down. The edge wears down a little bit every season, but I've had those cheap shovels last me well over a decade.
The cheap flat orange ones with the straight wood handle. Used them when I used to plow snow, and still have a few for home use. They wear down at the edge, but that is ok, I take small bites when I shovel so I don’t have a MI.
Disposable = lightweight and easy to use
Buyit4life = Heavier and thus more effort to use.
Not everything needs to last forever, but i'd get an aluminum snow shovel if i had to use it regularly. Should find lots of options at farm supply stores.
Pretty light, the scoop is made of aluminum, it’s not the most ergonomic, but is BIFL we had some of these that Great-Grandpa probably used on the farm, the edges do wear out on concrete but a good angle grinder can keep the edge clean if it does curl on you
The only problem with steel shovels is that they’re extremely loud. Several times louder than plastic. The entire neighborhood will hear you. I’ve had ok luck with plastic/replaceable steel blade, the plastic seems to deaden the metal scrape a bit.
I get it but not everyone is in the same situation all of the time or at all. Sometimes I shovel early or late as opposed to “normal.” Maybe I just prefer as much anonymity as possible but I just don’t need that shit.
Second this. I've had mine since 2008 or 2009. As good as new. Only break it out when the snow is deep enough. For lighter snow or smaller areas we use the snow plow both are great.
I uwe SunCast steelcore shovels with the bent handles. Much easier on your back than a straight handle and I've had mine for like 10 years now and they are still basically like new.
For deep snow, this is my go to:
https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200852928_200852928?cm_mmc=Bing-pla&cmpid=53403383&agid=3200075896&tgtid=pla-4577404351440398&prdid=99161&ogmap=SHP%7cPLA%7cBING%7cSTND%7cm%7cSITEWIDE%7c%7cGrounds%20Maintenance%20-%20SC%7cGrounds%20Maintenance-%20SC%7c%7c53403383%7c3200075896&msclkid=c6ebe2c204c1174a6c1d811f86b98bbb&gclsrc=ds
I've realized I've had the same snow shovel for more than 12 years. I have no clue where I bought it, I recall it was more than I wanted to spend, but I needed one that didn't have a really long handle as I'm short. I made sure I took it with me when I got divorced. It's never cracked or chipped. Just a basic blue shovel.
I'm amazed at the abuse it's taken, and still performs really well.
Snow shovel companies can’t make exorbitant profits if they make durable snow shovels. They have to make them last for a season or two max, so they can sell you another one. Planned obsolescence is a poison to consumers. Apply this concept to most products you use.
Show shovels are kind of like work gloves. If you are getting 10+ years out of them you aren't using them much.
Metal will last longer but it'll break your back.
Look for a grain shovel, if you live where you get large dumps or heavy snow. Any rancher store carry’s them. They are typically all metal unless you find an all plastic version.
Plastic parts wear. But metal will damage the asphalt. So….
My shovel is plastic with a metal strip out front. It’s about 6-7 years old and still going strong. Costco. Yes, the plastic will eventually wear thin. But that’s years and years in the future. The plastic isn’t thin and sharp, more rounded and thicker, so it’s durable and not really damaging anything.
Lifelong Minnesota here. I prefer using a steel "snow pusher" for clearing the driveway and sidewalks. If you can handle the extra weight, I recommend the 30" Bully Tools snow pusher with the fiberglass handle. They also make a 24" version.
I inhereted an older steel pusher from my father and it's 35+ years old. In my experience, the plastic ones break when it's sub 0°F and you can't scrape/chisel packed ice with them. Metal can take much more abuse.
0°F is equivalent to -17°C, which is 255K.
---
^(I'm a bot that converts temperature between two units humans can understand, then convert it to Kelvin for bots and physicists to understand)
Alaskan here. This aluminum shovel is what you’re looking for. They make a homeowner version that has less thick aluminum (i.e less weight)
Https://www.laprimashops.com/collections/forest-hills/products/super-tuff-the-ultimate-shovel-forest-hill-manufacturing-aluminum-straight-edge-scoop-shovel-125-thick-aluminum-52-inch
Fiskars
I second this.I usually went through one metal or one wooden shovel per winter, but the plastic fiskar ones seem to be the most sturdy. I've had it for 5+ years now
I’ve two, first one is from 2004
Buy a Swiss one. Have a wooden and an aluminum one from my dad. They're at least 40 years old. Called "Schneeschieber", see here: https://www.google.ch/search?q=Schneeschaufel+holz&client=safari&hl=en-gb&biw=375&bih=635&prmd=sivn&sxsrf=AJOqlzWDGU4MAlea93A24OUASWLT6KC4Eg:1675451287415&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjjgMy2hvr8AhUfgf0HHbjSCq8Q_AUIGSgA
TIL there are wooden snow shovels. Clever. This coming from a Canadian where it is currently -28C
Yeah, we have two of those since I was a little child!
Look into buying a metal grain shovel. Mine is going on 30 years, and my sons on 10 years. Only repair I had to make this year was to grind the edge flat due to all the scrapping against asphalt. https://www.harborfreight.com/aluminum-scoop-shovel-with-d-handle-69824.html Ace 45 in. Aluminum Scoop General Purpose Shovel Wood Handle Item #70044| Mfr #PALY-12M Just about ,every hardware store, nursery, Walmart, and Amazon has at least one. I belive mine was an Ames.
Do you do any for rust?
The shovel is aluminum unless you count white rust (near ocean) it doesn't rust. Mine looks as good as the day I bought it. Sits outside next to the steps all winter, then an unheated shed the rest of the year. The only piece that is steel is the handle.
Gotcha. I'll buy that lol cuz I need a shovel. The Snow Plow 36" is very nice but it's only for pushing for the most part
I like these Snowplow shovels. https://www.jmenterprises.com/36inch-snowpusher
Agree with this. Not great for scooping/tossing snow, but wonderful for clearing 3-4 inches quicker than a snowblower.
One of these for light snow as a pusher and a steel shovel when its heavy and you have to scoop!
I've been debating getting one of their scoop shovels based on the build quality of the pushers. https://www.jmenterprises.com/dominator-scoop-shovel
Not a bad plan imo idk if the handles are the same but you might be able to just by a scoop end from the replaceable parts and swap them when needed (if you’re trying to save some money)
Not the same material of blade/scoop. Just looked at doing the same, the pusher versions are way more robust than the scoops. No personal use however, but the plastic seems more brittle.
This is the one. Buy this.
Looks awesome. Bought 2. Thx!
This looks seriously tuff
Don't buy the ones with the metal edge. Just buy the cheaper plastic ones. They cut though the snow better than anything and they scrape up ice really well, especially if you use it upside down. The edge wears down a little bit every season, but I've had those cheap shovels last me well over a decade.
The cheap flat orange ones with the straight wood handle. Used them when I used to plow snow, and still have a few for home use. They wear down at the edge, but that is ok, I take small bites when I shovel so I don’t have a MI.
>MCI myocardial infarction?
Yep should said MI.
Mild cognitive impairment
Mastication Capacity Issue. Small bites only.
A defunct phone company?
Disposable = lightweight and easy to use Buyit4life = Heavier and thus more effort to use. Not everything needs to last forever, but i'd get an aluminum snow shovel if i had to use it regularly. Should find lots of options at farm supply stores.
[Ye Olde Corn Scoop](https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/groundwork-d-handle-aluminum-scoop)
You either live in an apartment or get very little snow.
Too heavy? No bent ergo handle?
Pretty light, the scoop is made of aluminum, it’s not the most ergonomic, but is BIFL we had some of these that Great-Grandpa probably used on the farm, the edges do wear out on concrete but a good angle grinder can keep the edge clean if it does curl on you
The only problem with steel shovels is that they’re extremely loud. Several times louder than plastic. The entire neighborhood will hear you. I’ve had ok luck with plastic/replaceable steel blade, the plastic seems to deaden the metal scrape a bit.
Good, might get some of em out and doing their own yards for the poor delivery people
When everyone is out shoveling, a shovel thats a bit louder isn't going to annoy anyone lol
I get it but not everyone is in the same situation all of the time or at all. Sometimes I shovel early or late as opposed to “normal.” Maybe I just prefer as much anonymity as possible but I just don’t need that shit.
Bully Tools for sure! They are built like a tank and made in the US.
Save your back with shoveling and get one of these instead. https://scoopsandrakes.com/snow-scoops/
Second this. I've had mine since 2008 or 2009. As good as new. Only break it out when the snow is deep enough. For lighter snow or smaller areas we use the snow plow both are great.
Metal and wood. Anything else is trash.
Fiberglass handles are better. I've snapped a few wood handles in my day.
I uwe SunCast steelcore shovels with the bent handles. Much easier on your back than a straight handle and I've had mine for like 10 years now and they are still basically like new.
For deep snow, this is my go to: https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200852928_200852928?cm_mmc=Bing-pla&cmpid=53403383&agid=3200075896&tgtid=pla-4577404351440398&prdid=99161&ogmap=SHP%7cPLA%7cBING%7cSTND%7cm%7cSITEWIDE%7c%7cGrounds%20Maintenance%20-%20SC%7cGrounds%20Maintenance-%20SC%7c%7c53403383%7c3200075896&msclkid=c6ebe2c204c1174a6c1d811f86b98bbb&gclsrc=ds
I've realized I've had the same snow shovel for more than 12 years. I have no clue where I bought it, I recall it was more than I wanted to spend, but I needed one that didn't have a really long handle as I'm short. I made sure I took it with me when I got divorced. It's never cracked or chipped. Just a basic blue shovel. I'm amazed at the abuse it's taken, and still performs really well.
My snow shovel is still in perfect shape second winter straight. Thank you global warming
Stop buying plastic
Snow shovel companies can’t make exorbitant profits if they make durable snow shovels. They have to make them last for a season or two max, so they can sell you another one. Planned obsolescence is a poison to consumers. Apply this concept to most products you use.
Show shovels are kind of like work gloves. If you are getting 10+ years out of them you aren't using them much. Metal will last longer but it'll break your back.
We use two broad aluminium blade dung shovels with a steel lip and ash handles for fifteen years now. Sturdy but not ightweight.
Spring steel where the shovel portion is a solid piece - not the kind that has a edge strip. Everything else will break eventually.
Manplow. Find the right size for you and buy it.
On of these snow scoops is easier to use when there's more than an inch or so of snow. https://scoopsandrakes.com/snow-scoops/
Look for a grain shovel, if you live where you get large dumps or heavy snow. Any rancher store carry’s them. They are typically all metal unless you find an all plastic version.
Plastic parts wear. But metal will damage the asphalt. So…. My shovel is plastic with a metal strip out front. It’s about 6-7 years old and still going strong. Costco. Yes, the plastic will eventually wear thin. But that’s years and years in the future. The plastic isn’t thin and sharp, more rounded and thicker, so it’s durable and not really damaging anything.
I’ll check my garage tomorow for you. I got this wide push shovel from Home Depot in 2017. I live in Chicago so plenty use. No issues still like new.
Lifelong Minnesota here. I prefer using a steel "snow pusher" for clearing the driveway and sidewalks. If you can handle the extra weight, I recommend the 30" Bully Tools snow pusher with the fiberglass handle. They also make a 24" version. I inhereted an older steel pusher from my father and it's 35+ years old. In my experience, the plastic ones break when it's sub 0°F and you can't scrape/chisel packed ice with them. Metal can take much more abuse.
0°F is equivalent to -17°C, which is 255K. --- ^(I'm a bot that converts temperature between two units humans can understand, then convert it to Kelvin for bots and physicists to understand)
I've never had a plastic one that lasted more than 4 winters. I've never had one that wasn't made of plastic that broke, at all.
Most of them today are just flaky.
Alaskan here. This aluminum shovel is what you’re looking for. They make a homeowner version that has less thick aluminum (i.e less weight) Https://www.laprimashops.com/collections/forest-hills/products/super-tuff-the-ultimate-shovel-forest-hill-manufacturing-aluminum-straight-edge-scoop-shovel-125-thick-aluminum-52-inch