Comments on: BCA Arsenal Backcountry Skiing Shovel Review http://www.wildsnow.com/1952/bca-shovel-review/ Backcountry Skiing Snowboard Telemark Snowsports Information News Fri, 19 Mar 2010 04:38:42 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jonathan Shefftz http://www.wildsnow.com/1952/bca-shovel-review/comment-page-1/#comment-20504 Jonathan Shefftz Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:28:53 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1952#comment-20504 Mine just arrived -- very nifty! Minor correction to the original blog: "The blades will attach to either handle, and the probe can fit in the saw handle, although not vice versa." -- It's the other way around. In other words, the saw can fit in either the fixed-length or extendable shaft. By contrast, the probe can fit in only the fixed-length shaft. (This is because the extendable shaft has a slight constriction partway down that is too narrow for the probe to pass through.) BTW, some neato mix-and-match combos are possible even without the probe or saw. For example, the fixed-length shaft plus the Tour blade equals a combination that is only about an ounce and a half heavier than the regular Tour shovel, but with some extra length though could be helpful. Or remove the extension from the extendable shaft, pair with the Tour blade, and you’ve replicated the regular Tour shovel. Mine just arrived — very nifty!
Minor correction to the original blog:
“The blades will attach to either handle, and the probe can fit in the saw handle, although not vice versa.”
– It’s the other way around. In other words, the saw can fit in either the fixed-length or extendable shaft. By contrast, the probe can fit in only the fixed-length shaft. (This is because the extendable shaft has a slight constriction partway down that is too narrow for the probe to pass through.)

BTW, some neato mix-and-match combos are possible even without the probe or saw. For example, the fixed-length shaft plus the Tour blade equals a combination that is only about an ounce and a half heavier than the regular Tour shovel, but with some extra length though could be helpful. Or remove the extension from the extendable shaft, pair with the Tour blade, and you’ve replicated the regular Tour shovel.

]]> By: Louie http://www.wildsnow.com/1952/bca-shovel-review/comment-page-1/#comment-17027 Louie Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:02:45 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1952#comment-17027 Jason- the saw is in there pretty solid. you have to depress a small button to get it out, and even then it has a little bit of resistance. I like having the saw in the shovel because it creates a great carrying case to protect your other stuff from the saw, it also keeps it out of the way, since you are not going to be using it that often Jason- the saw is in there pretty solid. you have to depress a small button to get it out, and even then it has a little bit of resistance. I like having the saw in the shovel because it creates a great carrying case to protect your other stuff from the saw, it also keeps it out of the way, since you are not going to be using it that often

]]> By: Jason http://www.wildsnow.com/1952/bca-shovel-review/comment-page-1/#comment-16817 Jason Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:39:46 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1952#comment-16817 I'll never use a plastic shovel again. I have an older plastic BCA and the new BCA tour shovel, I love the metal blade. Especially in the spring and heavier snow areas. That saw in the handle looks nice, but I'd worry about that thing flying outta there on my desperate attempt to unbury my buddy. Is it in their solid? I carry my probe on the outside of my pack. I think I'd do the same if I owned a saw... Good review. Send some pics of NZ!!!! I’ll never use a plastic shovel again. I have an older plastic BCA and the new BCA tour shovel, I love the metal blade. Especially in the spring and heavier snow areas. That saw in the handle looks nice, but I’d worry about that thing flying outta there on my desperate attempt to unbury my buddy. Is it in their solid? I carry my probe on the outside of my pack. I think I’d do the same if I owned a saw… Good review. Send some pics of NZ!!!!

]]> By: Mark Worley http://www.wildsnow.com/1952/bca-shovel-review/comment-page-1/#comment-16791 Mark Worley Sun, 02 Aug 2009 13:24:43 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1952#comment-16791 Scott, In my experience the plastic shovels are nearly on par with metal shovels for strength. The often-noted problem is how the plastic deflects in certain snow while shoveling. Energy is wasted during this deflection. Scott,
In my experience the plastic shovels are nearly on par with metal shovels for strength. The often-noted problem is how the plastic deflects in certain snow while shoveling. Energy is wasted during this deflection.

]]> By: Shoveler http://www.wildsnow.com/1952/bca-shovel-review/comment-page-1/#comment-16786 Shoveler Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:12:31 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1952#comment-16786 No doubt avy rescue shovels need a certain amount of strength, but I'd agree that sometimes the marketing gets on that too much... after all, we could just carry a steel blade shovel from the hardware store if it was really that big a factor. No doubt avy rescue shovels need a certain amount of strength, but I’d agree that sometimes the marketing gets on that too much… after all, we could just carry a steel blade shovel from the hardware store if it was really that big a factor.

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