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Post by johntpenca on Jan 10, 2021 11:48:04 GMT -8
In this instance I’ll have to disagree slightly. See below my circa 1987 Life-Link shovel. In the case of shovels, really nothing has changed. I had one of those. Does yours have a polycarbonate blade (mine did)? That is the reason I ditched mine.
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Post by bradmacmt on Jan 10, 2021 12:27:55 GMT -8
I had one of those. Does yours have a polycarbonate blade (mine did)? That is the reason I ditched mine. Yes, polycarbonate. Works great here, maybe not so much on Spring Sierra Cement.
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Post by bobcat on Jan 11, 2021 17:38:41 GMT -8
Finally looked in the garage, and my avalanche shovel is a Voile. Used it on winter camping trips a couple times, used it once after multiple blizzards to shovel the snow load off my houses roof, and have used it numerous times to dig out cars. All metal except the grip of the loop handle.
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Post by rachelsdad on Jan 13, 2021 0:57:43 GMT -8
Been looking at the loop handle versions, though I never had an issue w/the T-handle w/mittens. I'm probably off base here but without holding one in my hands I am a bit wary of the plastic D handle.....But as far as the established brands I'm sure they're bullet proof.
Any reason for my concern or am I just being overcautious?
Of course if and when I buy it this will end up being the lightest snow season in years...same thing happens when I buy a seasons pass for skiing!!
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Post by tipiwalter on Jan 13, 2021 10:27:10 GMT -8
I have the lightest Voile shovel available I think---Voila XLM--- The most important question of all is not which snow shovel to buy but Should I Take My Shovel Out with Me on My Next Backpacking Trip? ??
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jan 13, 2021 12:19:45 GMT -8
I'm probably off base here but without holding one in my hands I am a bit wary of the plastic D handle.....But as far as the established brands I'm sure they're bullet proof. The Voile handles feel like Delrin or some equivalent very tough, cold-tolerant material.
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Post by bobcat on Jan 13, 2021 16:07:56 GMT -8
Voile still makes the shovel of this design, at least they look the same on their webpage. The plastic bar on the handle is not a kids toy truck plastic, it’s some kind of engineered material. ABS, nylon, something like that, not olefin.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 13, 2021 16:10:12 GMT -8
Unlike a driveway snow shovel it’d be easy for manufacturers to anticipate a backpacking shovel will be thoroughly cold soaked and design accordingly. At least that’s the hope.
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Post by rachelsdad on Jan 17, 2021 8:00:52 GMT -8
I know you've all been waiting breathlessly
I went w/the Voile T Wood. The saw may seem a bit gimmicky but I'll have to assume it is a tough, high quality design vs what one may find in a less than Sawyer quality saw..
Be interesting to see if my stock of 42,000 sawzall blades will fit vs having to purchase from them.
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Post by tomqvaxy on Jan 31, 2021 1:31:30 GMT -8
on the Voile website, most descriptions indicate holes in the blade offer assistance making a rescue sled. search for avalanche rescue sleds didn't show a shovel (only skis & pole) being incorporated.
Q: anyone help how this would be arranged?
thanks
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 31, 2021 10:20:07 GMT -8
The holes are where you’d run the rope to anchor the blade to a harness. The blade then forms the “bow” of the sled with the curved part riding over the snow first.
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BigLoad
Trail Wise!
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Posts: 12,919
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Post by BigLoad on Jan 31, 2021 21:58:01 GMT -8
The holes are where you’d run the rope to anchor the blade to a harness. The blade then forms the “bow” of the sled with the curved part riding over the snow first. I've never tried that. Perhaps I could convince Mrs. big_load to lay down in the snow and get dragged around.
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