Lets talk shovels...

[dgreet77]

I've been packing a foldable camping-type shovel when going sledding, and actually haven't ever used it, but its heavy and the blade is pretty small, so I've been checking out new ones. I was just wondering what people use around here?

I was looking at the Voile T-wood, as my cat likes to try to climb trees sometimes . Are the shovels with the built in saw worth it? Are the $80 dollar shovels really worth it over say the $45-$50 dollar shovels? Or is it all the same?

 

[RMKcowboy]

I carry a Gerber folding shovel in the sled and a regular avy shovel in my pack (mine is a Black Diamond, can't recall the model) as well as a Gerber folding saw in the sled. I use the folding shovel most often because even though its smaller, its way more convenient to reach in the seat pouch and pull it out than to take my pack off and dig my shovel out from inside.

 

[Rowboat]

http://www.wps-inc.com/wps/WICATALOG1.pgm?PRVCID=SM&CICID=SM&PRVTID=SM105+++++&TITID=SM105&PRVSID=A160++++++&SISID=A125&PRVPAGE=151&PAGEGO=Page%23

I bought this setup, love it... used the shovel to dig my truck out of the parking lot the other night... worked great.

You can buy the shovel separately I believe

 

[Blu Du]

i have an sos in my pack which has been digging my azz out for 6 yrs. only complaint is the saw blade breaks easy and will be buying this one to mount on my sled
http://en.ortovox.com/safety_products/shovels/professional_alu_ii.html

 

[srx_600]

I bought an HMK one for 60 bucks from my local dealer. Has a saw, ice pick, compass, and of course the shovel. I used it a few times and love it.

 

[sledheadjake]

I bought a polaris shovel a few years ago it think it was about 50 bucks but it folds down and also has a saw.Ive sawed alot of trees and dug out alot of sleds with it not a single prob.

 

[AMSOILR]

Ortovox shovels

I just bought an Ortovox Professional Alu II shovel. It's the best shovel I have seen so far. They make many different styles. You can see them on Ortovox.com. It doesn't come with a shovel.

 

[dgreet77]

Yeah, I figure they all do the same thing, but was mainly curious as to how well the saws held up....If my sled would stop climbing trees I wouldn't worry about it. LOL.

Thanks for the info guys and keep it comin!

 

[deschutes]

T-Wood Review:

http://www.sledspace.com/showthread.php?t=697

Definitely go metal blade over plastic. They just seem to "cut" better and are more efficient in hard snow.

 

[Alaskan_awd]

Ortovox Grizzley, the 90* feature is so nice. It is light weight but super strong. I dont think I'll ever get a different shovel. The only downside is no saw, but I would rather carry a nice fold up saw, the ones that come in the shovels seem to break easily.

 

[priest lake rmk]

I carry 2 shovels. The SOS in my pack and a Burton on the tunnel. The Burton is a bad *** shovel.

 

[RMKcowboy]

http://www.wps-inc.com/wps/WICATALOG1.pgm?PRVCID=SM&CICID=SM&PRVTID=SM105+++++&TITID=SM105&PRVSID=A160++++++&SISID=A125&PRVPAGE=151&PAGEGO=Page%23

I bought this setup, love it... used the shovel to dig my truck out of the parking lot the other night... worked great.

You can buy the shovel separately I believe

2 of my buddies have that pack. Last ride out one of them lost his shovel handle somewhere... it got ripped right out of his pack (including the strap that is supposed to hold it in). Just a word of caution for those considering buying.

 

[XXL]

Definitely go metal blade over plastic. They just seem to "cut" better and are more efficient in hard snow.[/QUOTE]






And you can melt snow in a metal one if you need to.

 

[whitefish]

Ortovox Grizzley, the 90* feature is so nice. It is light weight but super strong. I dont think I'll ever get a different shovel. The only downside is no saw, but I would rather carry a nice fold up saw, the ones that come in the shovels seem to break easily.

I have the same one. Awesome design so you can't loose the handle. As for saws, a good folding pruning saw usually works better as most saw blades that come in the shovels are for snow/ice and not wood.

 

[offroadmatt]

Recommend a shovel with a longer handle. Its much easier to dig somebody out of a avy with a bigger handle, which matters when seconds matter. I also carry a foldable gerber wood saw. It would take forever to cut down a tree, but would easily get firewood for a night or remove some smaller trees that have you hung up or cut a tree to brace your skis together or splint your tie rod.

 

[Sled Solutions]

I've been packing a foldable camping-type shovel when going sledding, and actually haven't ever used it, but its heavy and the blade is pretty small, so I've been checking out new ones. I was just wondering what people use around here?

I was looking at the Voile T-wood, as my cat likes to try to climb trees sometimes . Are the shovels with the built in saw worth it? Are the $80 dollar shovels really worth it over say the $45-$50 dollar shovels? Or is it all the same?

We sell and use the Voile shovels and HMK and both are great! Let us know if we can help you with one, we have them in stock.

 

[EagleRiverDee]

And you can melt snow in a metal one if you need to.

Hadn't thought about that, but I have often used my aluminum shovel as a stove base when winter camping.

 

[RMKcowboy]

And you can melt snow in a metal one if you need to.

I know a guy that used a metal shovel as a pan to get a fire started and he melted the shovel

 

[Spur]

Do not ride with a plastic shovel. Twice I have had to dig Bud's out of avalanches and the plastic shovels broke down to useless tools digging in the compressed snow. It's a pretty helpless feeling to know your buddy needs you and he may die because you wanted to save 40 bucks. I hope you never have to use it to unbury a friend, but if you do 40 bucks will seem pretty cheap.

Shovels are not the place to cut corners.

 

[Surly1]

I prefer the Ortovox Grizzly II. I also carry the older HMK shovel. Be careful on the new HMK shovel with the "ice pick" in the handle. It truly isn't a good ice pick, used a friends last year to chip a little ice of the sluxh guard on the trailer and broke the plastic handle off.

Carry a folding saw with you, the blade in the handle of the shovel is nothing more than a Sawzall blade, and the bend easily, then break. My HMK has this and I always carry a backup saw.