The Alpha Driveway Shovel from DMOS Collective

As the snow continues to accumulate, I look forward to the task at hand. And with the new Alpha Driveway shovel from DMOS Collective, the job just got a bit easier. This Alpha dog has been groomed over four years. Constantly improving on previous models in the Alpha lineage. It’s raw, rugged and built to last a lifetime. Unlike previous Alpha shovels, this one strays from portability. Instead, it’s the stay at home shovel. The one you hang on the wall for the snowiest of days. And those days have arrived.

Technical Specs:

• Blade: 0.100” thick 6061 US-sourced and stamped raw aluminum formed with 12 – ¼” x ½” crush rivets
• Wood Shaft: US-sourced American Beech wood finished with 4 coats of Tung Oil which hardens and darkens the wood over time to protect it from moisture
  • American Beech wood is rated at 1,010 psi compression relative to the grain
• Aluminum Connector Collar: 16.5” long, 0.07” thick 6061 aluminum extruded collar anodized in matte black
• Connector Bolts: Two zinc plated binding barrels and screws
• Rated from -40 Degrees to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit
• MSRP: $169.00

I’ve been a fan of the DMOS Collective since their first kickstarter years ago. Since then, I’ve collected nearly every model produced and continue to use them all regularly. This new Alpha Driveway Shovel fills the need for a robust scoop or push shovel to have around the house or cabin. The sturdy .100″ thick raw aluminum shovel head with its oversized sidewalls make scooping loose snow more efficient. Unlike the flatter economy shovel heads, the Alpha Driveway won’t spill its load prematurely. It also does a stellar job scraping the packed snow and ice left in the driveway.

“It’s a cross between a push shovel and a scoop shovel and it does both jobs well with one tool.  Uncoated and unfinished, this shovel should last for a lifetime. With a 5% bend in the blade body, the blade is 15″ wide at the ground, 17″ wide at the widest point, and 14″ tall.” ~dmoscollective.com

With an adjustable wooden handle, the Alpha Driveway can accommodate users of various heights. DMOS includes handy chart to help narrow down the overall length for you. Not only does the new Alpha extricate snow from the driveway, it works well on wooden decks too. The shovel head and handle are angled perfectly for sliding it flat along the wooden deck boards. Not digging into the deck at all. However, I wouldn’t recommend it for composite decks like Trex or Timbertech. Those types of synthetic boards scratch pretty easily. And once the raw aluminum shovel head becomes “seasoned”, little nicks in the metal will gouge the delicate plastic.

Dimensions

• Blade is 14 high x 17 wide
• Shaft with connector and blade adjusts from 57 ½” to 67 ½” tall
• Wood Shaft Dimensions: Oval cut to  1.2 “ x 1.3” and 47” length overall, grain lengthwise, with 6 holes spaced every 2 inches
• Blade weight: 2 lbs 1.5 oz
• Shaft with connector collar, barrels and screws: 2 lbs 1.5 oz
• Total weight 4 lbs 3 oz

DMOS has once again knocked it out of the park with another well thought out and engineered shovel. Now when I look out the window and hear John Snow’s voice whispering in my head “winter’s coming”, I know I have the best tools for defense. And will surely kick winters ass when he shows up.