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June, 2025

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Don't buy this shovel! and a question...

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cydwhit
Posts: 5079 - Karma: 43,075
Ok, so this is probably a "duh" thing for all you experienced BC people but I figured there are probably some noobs like me in here as well so I thought I'd post it up.

These shovels are available at a lot of hardware/outdoor sports stores around where I am: http://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors-Garden-Center-Garden-Tools-Snow-Ice-Snow-Shovels-Ice-Scrapers/Lifeline/N-5yc1vZbx86Z8bd And they seem, at first glance like an affordable alternative to an expensive avi shovel. I bought one like 3 years ago in high school to build booters with and I used it for a bunch of random stuff (including shoveling rubble on a construction site) until early this season. Then, while building a booter it broke, right at the junction of handle and shaft (the little metal neck just broke off the handle)

I figured it was a bit of a fluke especially since I had abused that thing for almost 3 years so, when Black Friday came around and Tri-State had them on sale for $15 I grabbed another one. I used it for maybe 5 booter sessions and it lived in my pack until yesterday. We were snow-camping and when we went to dig out a cave for the tent my buddy (who is admittedly hard on gear) snapped it in exactly the same place, It was icy but not bad enough that I think the shovel should have broken. SO newbs of NS looking to save money on backcountry gear DONT BUY THAT SHOVEL!


On that happy note, I need a new shovel, el pronto via. I know the safe bet, big blade, D handle, etc and I can just go ahead and buy one of those but this has me intrigued: http://k2skis.com/tools/rescue-shovel-plus-ice-axe It's on sale and I kind of want to review it.

I'm thinking it probably has some major weaknesses as a shovel and as an axe, the shovel doesn't extend but the axe is B rated so it can't be that bad right? I wouldn't want to substitute it for a real axe or anything but it is an intriguing idea and it seems like an easy way to bring an axe along in situations where you don't think you'll need it but emergencies may present themselves. Anybody have any thoughts or experience with it?
10 years ago
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schusson
Posts: 442 - Karma: 593
While it is an awesome concept and i would love to give it a shot, i could see possible issues with the connection of the axe head to the shaft. Using it to plunge probably wouldnt be too bad, but in a self-arrest scenario where a lot of force may be applied in a short amount of time could lead to failure.

In terms of the shovel aspect, id say go for it. K2 has been making some bomber shovels. If youre in need of a shovel, have the budget and want to give it a shot, do it. Id love to hear more about it in use.
10 years ago
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BengoUnchained
Posts: 6 - Karma: 13
I have the K2 rescue shovel plus from last year that comes with hardware to build a sled (don't have K2 skis but got it on sale dirt cheap) and have been very happy with it, definitely solid. The shovel is probably fine, just use the axe accordingly.
10 years ago
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cydwhit
Posts: 5079 - Karma: 43,075
Thanks guys! I went with it, I'll test it aggressively and try to abuse it in some non dangerous situations and then get a full review up somewhere.
10 years ago
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
Interested to see how you find it, I've always dismissed it - perhaps unfairly, having no first hand experience - as a gimmick. I always imagined converting it from shovel to axe or vice versa as kind of fiddly and time consuming, might not be the case.

I'm usually wary of 'convertible' gear, all to often I find it's not hugely functional, and is innovation for innovations sake. Indeed even reading K2's justification for making the product "it will save weight and space in your pack", I fear the Shaxe might have fallen foul of this adage. You can have an a comparatively sized shovel and an axe in its own right for a similar weight penalty, and I nor anyone else I ski with keeps their axe in the pack.

As said, interested to see what you make of it...
10 years ago
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cydwhit
Posts: 5079 - Karma: 43,075
VD.Interested to see how you find it, I've always dismissed it - perhaps unfairly, having no first hand experience - as a gimmick. I always imagined converting it from shovel to axe or vice versa as kind of fiddly and time consuming, might not be the case.

I'm usually wary of 'convertible' gear, all to often I find it's not hugely functional, and is innovation for innovations sake. Indeed even reading K2's justification for making the product "it will save weight and space in your pack", I fear the Shaxe might have fallen foul of this adage. You can have an a comparatively sized shovel and an axe in its own right for a similar weight penalty, and I nor anyone else I ski with keeps their axe in the pack.

As said, interested to see what you make of it...


Yeah, basically my concerns as well, but on sale it was $30 more than the shovel I was considering so I figured "Why not?"

I talked to someone who has a friend who uses one and it kind of lined up with what I was assuming about the product. Not really a substitute for a real axe but a good option for trips where you wouldn't bring a real one but might run in to something that required some extra insurance. I'm thinking about stuff like Hellens, or even a local trip I did last weekend, where, when I did it we really didn't need an axe but it could have been handy in worse conditions (Ok, so on the local trip I probably should have had an ice axe but we made it work with a camp hatchet, haha)

I'll do my best to abuse it and once I grab a real axe I might do some back yard testing to see just how much it can stand. Once I've done that I'll put a review up somewhere and share it here.
10 years ago
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Literature
Posts: 13673 - Karma: 3,087
Really interested to see your review on this.
10 years ago
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cydwhit
Posts: 5079 - Karma: 43,075
First impressions:

There's a little bit of play between the handle and the axe, disconcerting but I think structurally it's solid. Full tang, metal to metal connections, the pin that holds the head on is actually pretty well designed.

Did Adams with it, axes and crampons from above the lunch counter, it did real well on some gnar ice bits (really poor line choice lead to some kick steps while hanging off the axe). Did well on a self arrest on an ill advised very icy glissade that still hurts my butt to think about, all in all pretty pleased with the performance of the axe.

haven't gotten to dig any with it yet so we'll see, anticipating that I'm gonna want a longer handle.

Biggest gripe: K2 is all stoked about using it with their skis to make a rescue sled. I tried to do it exactly how their instructions stated and the width difference between the handle and the blade make it impossible, so kind of a gimmick IMO.

I'll probably use it for the rest of the summer and then maybe write an in depth look on Blister
10 years ago
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Literature
Posts: 13673 - Karma: 3,087
"Full tang"


This is what I want in an ice axe.
10 years ago
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soup
Posts: 6354 - Karma: 4,486
dont chince out on safety gear. its not your life your risking its your friends.
10 years ago
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Bo_bot9
Posts: 1437 - Karma: 275
in the grand scheme of things what is an extra $40 bucks for a solid metal avy shovel with a nice big blade. The saying goes "the best avy gear is the gear your partner is carrying" you dont want to be that partner that buys a junky plastic shovel from walmart. avalanche debris is not always the fluffy powder you were skiing on.. as soon as the avalanche debris comes to a stop its going to settle and solidify very fast. turning that nice fluffy powder into much more dense and hard debris..you need a strong metal blade to be able to chop through that dense shit and those junky plastic ones will deflect and break.

K2 is taking advantage of the backcountry boom in the industry but they arent cutting any corners with the quality of there safety gear. some of their shovels is a little gimmicky like the ice axe and probe that can store inside the shovel shaft.. but it isnt going to break easily on you.
10 years ago
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cydwhit
Posts: 5079 - Karma: 43,075
Bo_bot9in the grand scheme of things what is an extra $40 bucks for a solid metal avy shovel with a nice big blade. The saying goes "the best avy gear is the gear your partner is carrying" you dont want to be that partner that buys a junky plastic shovel from walmart. avalanche debris is not always the fluffy powder you were skiing on.. as soon as the avalanche debris comes to a stop its going to settle and solidify very fast. turning that nice fluffy powder into much more dense and hard debris..you need a strong metal blade to be able to chop through that dense shit and those junky plastic ones will deflect and break.

K2 is taking advantage of the backcountry boom in the industry but they arent cutting any corners with the quality of there safety gear. some of their shovels is a little gimmicky like the ice axe and probe that can store inside the shovel shaft.. but it isnt going to break easily on you.


Yep, totally.

I bought the "Shaxe" and have been using it pretty aggressively, climbed Adams, Hood twice and 3 days of ski mountaineering in Glacier national park, during all of which I used it very aggressively in some pretty exposed situations. Two icy self arrests on Adams and one emergency anchor later and I can definitely say I trust the axe system with my life.

I haven't used/needed the shovel yet. I don't love it though, the handle is too short and has a weird oval shape that is uncomfortable to use without gloves. That said, it has meant that I've brought a shovel a lot of places where I wouldn't have usually so if I ever did need it I would have had it. It wouldn't be my first choice for building booters or digging a bunch of pits and I'll probably grab another shovel for this winter but I do like having this one for trips where both an axe and a shovel may be needed.

Oh yeah, and as cool as this thing is, get a freaking BD whippet, it's awesome for opening beers, chasing siblings, lifting risers and making you feel a little less like you want to wet your pants when you're hanging off a mountain somewhere.
10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52707 - Karma: 175,304
I bought a life link shovel 13-14 years ago. Got one with a long handle on it. The blade is plastic but it's got a lifetime warranty. I dug through a ton of thick ice on the east coast with it so it's solid.


Would recommend.
10 years ago
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