How to Buy a Snow Shovel
Anyone who's been through a winter storm knows the value of a good snow shovel. Here's what to look for when you're buying one.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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Avoid shovels with plastic blades - they will break more easily. Look for metal shovels with handles made of wood or metal.
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Buy as large a shovel as you think you can handle properly when full of snow.
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Look for a shovel that has open sides to facilitate sliding the snow off of the shovel.
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Make sure the shovel you select "fits" you. Is the length good? Is the handle the right size? Shoveling snow is hard work; a shovel that is a poor fit can increase the likelihood of soreness or injury.
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Tips & Warnings
A snow shovel will probably cost between $25 and $60.
Test out shovels wearing a pair of gloves - the ones you will wear when shoveling - so you can see how the snow shovel feels in your hands.
Don't forget the other items you need for winter maintenance: work gloves, ice chipper, rock salt.
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Comments
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actiontools
Dec 06, 2009
You might want to try one of the 2 newly invented snow shovels/pushers from the Canadian Home Hardware Stores . These shovels have a small handle inside the large one that you can pull to change the blade angles. The blade on the Swivel Snow Shovel can be angled from side to side, or straight ahead in a locked position. The Tilt Snow Shovel uses the same system, but the blade functions up or down in 3 positions to push or shovel. -
MrJaye
Jan 28, 2008
Plastic is WAY better. I have used the same snow shovel with a plastic blade at an elementary school for 10 years in below zero weather and have NEVER had the blade break. In fact I'm still using the same shovel. Plastic is lighter, the snow doesn't stick to the blade as stubbornly as metal and the edges don't "curl" over time as they do with metal blades. I would NEVER go back to metal.
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MrJaye
Jan 28, 2008
Plastic is WAY better. I have used the same snow shovel with a plastic blade at an elementary school for 10 years in below zero weather and have NEVER had the blade break. In fact I'm still using the same shovel. Plastic is lighter, the snow doesn't stick to the blade as stubbornly as metal and the edges don't "curl" over time as they do with metal blades. I would NEVER go back to metal.
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Aug 08, 2006
For years I hurt my back and lived with back aches after almost every meaningful snow. For the past two years I have used a product call the Wovel. I haven't come close to injuring my back since, and can clear snow up to 2 feet this season.
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Mar 11, 2006
If you spray your shovel blade (plastic or metal) with non-stick cooking spray it will help in preventing the snow from sticking to the shovel, and slide off much easier.
