Beach Sand Scoop Advice

[cudamark]

I didn't have any luck with T-Rex scoops. Without gussets in the upper corners, they would break there after only a few months use. The ones without the upper plate-to-handle bracket support struts also developed cracks in that upper plate. I admit that I'm fairly hard on scoops. I tend to dig full scoops of wet sand, especially out in the water. In trying to be easy on my arms and back, I tend to lever the basket out of the sandy bottom instead of lifting straight up. That produces strain on any weak points and causes metal fatigue when there is some flex in those areas. The stiffer you can make these areas, the less flex and fatigue you're going to have.

[schoolofhardNox]

I do the same thing. I push it down as far as possible by standing on the back of the scoop and wiggling it to get through the tough shell/ rock sand. I use the Xtreme stainless steel scoop and carbon handle. Heavy but worth it.

11 minutes ago, cudamark said:

I didn't have any luck with T-Rex scoops. Without gussets in the upper corners, they would break there after only a few months use. The ones without the upper plate-to-handle bracket support struts also developed cracks in that upper plate. I admit that I'm fairly hard on scoops. I tend to dig full scoops of wet sand, especially out in the water. In trying to be easy on my arms and back, I tend to lever the basket out of the sandy bottom instead of lifting straight up. That produces strain on any weak points and causes metal fatigue when there is some flex in those areas. The stiffer you can make these areas, the less flex and fatigue you're going to have.

I do the same thing. I push it down as far as possible by standing on the back of the scoop and wiggling it to get through the tough shell/ rock sand. I use the Xtreme stainless steel scoop and carbon handle. Heavy but worth it. So far, not even any sign that it can not handle it. Very durable scoop. Unfortunately not a good candidate for what  mcjtom was looking for. Not very portable for travel or cheap.

[Turhan]

i use nokta makro's 3in1 extended sand scoop and im very happy with it its very durable and solid i even move rocks with it inside the water 

[Carolyn]

So I am new to all this fun. I am looking for an all around scoop that is good for a noob. Use would be mostly lake and some ocean and probably wet sand.  
What is a good entry level brand that can take a beating. The reviews are all over the place. Thanks... 

[midalake]

1 hour ago, Carolyn said:

So I am new to all this fun. I am looking for an all around scoop that is good for a noob. Use would be mostly lake and some ocean and probably wet sand.  
What is a good entry level brand that can take a beating. The reviews are all over the place. Thanks... 

You get what you pay for in scoops. No such thing as entry level and take a beating. There has been good advise in this thread so far. 

[Carolyn]

22 hours ago, midalake said:

You get what you pay for in scoops. No such thing as entry level and take a beating. There has been good advise in this thread so far. 

What should I look for? Wood handle? Poly Carb, or Stainless steel. Do I want an 11" or is an 8" wide just as good?  What about hole size? 

[Rick N. MI]

Wood handle is light and cheap. Floats in the water too. Stainless steel handle is heavy. I've never had a carbon fiber handle. I'm sure they are nice.

A lot of choice in a sand scoops. I find 3/8" holes is big enough. I have a 6" wide and an 8" wide sand scoop. I don't think I would want an 11" wide scoop.

[Skate]

3 hours ago, Carolyn said:

What should I look for? Wood handle? Poly Carb, or Stainless steel. Do I want an 11" or is an 8" wide just as good?  What about hole size? 

If you're going to buy a scoop and handle buy it just once. I have 3 scoops. An Xtreme scoop and carbon fiber handle, a stavr with a wood handle and an all aluminum scoop. You can't go wrong with one of these. If you plan to travel with it and space is an issue get a two piece handle for it. My Xtreme gets used the most and rather than rounded it is pointed because I dig into some pretty rocky beaches. Hole size is pretty similar across the board but some have the bottoms configured for small jewelry. Width speaks more to how good you are pinpointing your targets. 8" is great if you're on your target but sucks if your coil control isn't what it needs to be. 

There's a ton of junk out there and you literally get what you pay for with scoops and handles. 

Best to you

[kac]

The Nokta scoop might be worth checking out. Regular sand scoops are great in the water to sift out the sand but wet sand on the shore you end up just dumping it on the side rather than shaking them out. I tend to favor my RTG basket scoop for beach combing. The Nokta seems to be a hybrid of sorts between a regular scoop and basket type. Handle comes apart for portability.