Ames True Temper 1518000 Penguin Collapsible Emergency Snow Shovel

Comment: The product is great, and small. The reach is short. It's around 3 feet in length. Make sure you bend your knees, and keep your back straight. Otherwise, you'll blow your back out. I wouldn't try to shovel a lot of snow with this. That's why I got 2 shovels. The passenger should be able to help me out, just in case.

Comment: This little shovel is great except for the fact that it broke just after two uses. The push-button that locks the collapsible handle in place broke and fell out. Now I can't really use it. I sent email to the seller to see if they'll replace it.

Update: Just a couple of hours after I first emailed the seller about this problem, I received a reply from them: "Per your request we have placed a no charge reorder."

Comment: Use this shovel for backcountry snow camping. Great for building a snow cave. Three lengths: packed, short, and long. For shovel snow over your shoulder I'd go with a longer shovel. But for trenching and caves it works great. Cheap too. In the same weight range as the BD aluminum models.

Have not used it in icy conditions yet.

Comment: I am so glad I purchased this shovel! I live in an area that does not get much snow, so I wanted a shovel that did not take up much space in my trunk thinking that I probably wouldn't need it for maybe even a few years. Then came the Snowpocalypse of 2010. This shovel was perfect. It was strong enough to manage as much snow as you can fit on it. Please check the size of the scoop before you purchase though. If you are looking for a big shovel, this is not it. However, I live in a condo building with a large parking lot. This shovel's small size actually made it easier to dig out around my car and especially under it and around the wheels. There is no way I would have been able to dig around the wheels the way I did with a bigger shovel.

"Shovely" will be a member of my family for a long time.

Comment: I purchased this shovel for my 3 ½ year old son.

Every time it snows I charge out of the house in just my skivvies with my metal reinforced monster shovel that weighs approximately 105 lbs. I toss the snow like a hulking yeti, launching 40 lbs of it into orbit with each sweep of the shovel. Unfortunately due to the size of my property, and despite my strapping muscularity, it often takes me over an hour to clear the snow. I also have to slow down for fear of putting my neighbors to shame. My exhibition of manliness often causes both husband and wife neighbor to become amorous at my form. While this doesn't bother me, there are already enough kids running around the neighborhood from when I mow the lawn in the summers.

While considering how to speed up the process, I noticed my son loafing in my family room. As I shoveled bare-chested he played with his blocks and picked his nose. Well no more! I ran inside and immediately purchased the Penguin Collapsible shovel - it's the perfect size for a child. Within a few days (and a few more feet of snow) the shovel arrived. "It's time to earn your keep Arnold Conan Gr33n4blu3 Jr!" I shoved some snow shoes on him and handed him the shovel. Then I tossed him outside for a few hours.

I must say that once the screams and complaints died down, my son did an admirable job. Th Penguin Collapsible shovel allowed him to clear my entire driveway! Sure it took him all day and he looked like a Smurf afterward, but you should see how he cornered the lot! I was so proud. A few more weeks of training and he should be able to do the driveway in under an hour. Well, either that or freeze in place and make a nice lawn ornament.

So parents, don't sweat all day while your kids sit on their butts and play videogames. Make them earn their day off from school. Buy this shovel and get some labor out of them!