5 Black Diamond Deploy 3 Shovel Review

Reviewer: Richard, Sheffield   (27-4-2012)

Thankfully I've never had to use this shovel in an emergency - only snow pack analysis and building a kicker, but it's light-weight, compact design make it an ideal back-country shovel.

It takes up minimal space in your pack and the integrated design means there is no fumbling around with separate components since the shovel is out of you pack and deployed within seconds.

5 Black Diamond Deploy 3 Shovel Review

Reviewer: simon Willis, BUXTON   (20-2-2012)

Great shovel - I like the way the handle folds down inside the shovel meaning one less thing to lose either on the mountain or in the garage !! I used it to clear some ice off a concrete balcony and was impressed that the paint didn't scratch. Overall... it does what it says it does!

5 Black Diamond Deploy 3 Shovel Review

Reviewer: phillip smith, sheffield   (21-2-2011)

Bought this as my first bit of avalanche saftey gear and it is great.

I have also used it to dig out cars on our road that have got stuck and it is durable and considering it's small size easy to shift snow with. I also got a black diamond pack that it fits very snugly into the outside pocket of which is a great feature but probably brand specific.

Had tried a mates plastic shovel but I would go with this unless you are really really weight obsessed for a long tour or something.

5 Pure Class

Reviewer: J Ash, London   (13-5-2010)

Superbly built and designed. Tough, efficient, compact when stored, comfortable to use.

I got stuck in Scotland during the heavy snow last winter and did plenty of serious digging with this shovel, both helping to dig out cars and levelling ground to set up camp. An absolutely brilliant bit of kit.

The one slight downside is that it is rather harder on the back than a full-length shovel when digging for a long time. But then again, try putting a full-length shovel in your rucksack and carrying it up a mountain!

Can be extended super-fast even with gloves on.

Pure Black Diamond class. If you need a shovel, this is the one.

5 Black Diamond Deploy 3 Shovel Review

Reviewer: Stephen Day, Farnborough   (11-3-2010)

Bought this shovel as I wanted to move on from the plastic Ortovox I've been carrying for years. Aluminium if definitely the way to go. It's no heavier than my plastic one and will be so much more use should things go badly wrong. Taken it on a couple of trips already and tried it out on some avalanche snow and although it wasn't a piece of cake to shovel it did at least shovel! The plastic one I tried just bounced off. Shifts lots of snow per shovel full. Handle drops into the blade nice and easy even with gloves on. Only slight downside is the length of the handle, it would have been nice to have another section in there or just the one but a bit longer. Not so easy to dig deep pits as with the Ortovox (double telescopic handle) but I guess you can't have everything! Great product.

5 Black Diamond Deploy 3 Shovel Review

Reviewer: Danny McShane, Fyvie   (7-3-2010)

If you get it right you'll only ever buy one snow shovel, so don't let the slightly higher price influence you - you'll soon forget about it. This smaller shovel can quickly shift harder snow where a larger shovel actually makes it more difficult. In soft snow it doesn't make a huge amount of difference and is streets ahead of your hands or an ice axe adze. This BD shovel telescopes shut better than the BCA designs and is easier to carry outside or inside your pack. Having to carry the shovel separated seems like a bad idea when seconds count and with this one you don't have to. The four lashing holes on the blade can be tied into shock cord on the back of your pack - slightly fiddly to stow, maybe, but quick release and that's what counts. The shaft cross section provides a positive grip for your hand with mitts or gloves on - which matters in extreme use. Ultimately the oval shaft designs (eg BCA) would be less likely to give you blisters, but for short term use 'in anger' the trapezoid is more positive. Oh...and looks and feels really good too.

5 Black Diamond Deploy 3 Shovel Review

Reviewer: Robert Deacon, Hadleigh, Ipswich   (9-2-2010)

Having toured with the military many times I was sure going to get a metal shovel! No questions asked. This little beauty is the perfect mix of strength, weight, and compactness, and although it's the least important feature it's quite a groovy colour too.

The cross section of the shaft aids to gripping. As a previous reviewer mentioned it does seem to shift the white stuff quicker than the size of it's blade would make you believe, this may be due to the well sculpted handle and it's good use of ergonomics, it fit's the hand well and stops the onset of cramp. In short bravo BD you have triumphed again, this is as good as value gets.

5 Black Diamond Deploy 3 Shovel Review

Reviewer: andrew dines, Cheadle   (31-1-2010)

As with virtually all Black Diamond kit, this is well-designed and robust. It feels really sturdy - both the shovel blade and the way the sleeve at the top of the shovel blade locks on to and supports the handle. It feels far more solid than my previous shovel.
It can be stashed in your off-piste pack as one piece, or if your shovel pocket is not quite big enough, then you can store the shaft and blade separately. Either way, the shovel deploys smoothly and quickly and the shape of the blade really does seem to shift snow particularly quickly.
It's not much heavier than the plastic shovels on the market and the extra weight is definitely well worth carrying. If you doubt it, then next time you come across avalanche debris have a poke about and see how hard it can set up. Then consider which type of shovel you would want in your pack if you are digging your mate(s) out with the clock ticking.