In every life there are a few universally recognized "big" decisions. What career to pursue, whom to marry, what kind of pet to have, latte or cappuccino? Yet there is one choice we make that doesn't get as much attention, although it can have a dramatic impact on our day-to-day existences.
I'm referring to a driver's choice of ice scraper.
Selecting the right ice scraper is critical. Pick the wrong one and every morning you'll find yourself cursing your decision as you contemplate using your iPhone to clear the ice from your windshield. Winter is long. A bad ice scraper makes it exponentially longer.
There are essentially two ice-scraper personality types. On the conservative side, are the purists. These drivers do not believe in progress. To them, ice scraper technology peaked around 1973. Each year these diehards buy an old-fashioned wooden scraper – such as the Mallory Economy Snow Brush you can pick up at Canadian Tire for $1.89. It looks like an overgrown toothbrush with attitude. It has a small scraper at one end and a thin brush on the other. It's lightweight but lacks length or manoeuvrability. On the upside, you can buy five or so and then lose as many as you like.
Forward-thinking liberals opt for the latest in ice-scraping technology. They want a scraper that can extend from 12 to 150 centimetres, ideally one that's scratch-free and equipped with all kinds of high-tech gadgets – such as "360 Brush Rotation" or a "3-in-1" adjustability factor. These cost considerably more, upward of $25.
Of course, there is one other de-icing tactic. It's the "I-forgot-my-scraper" approach. In the 1980s, this meant using old tape cassette boxes to clear the ice. In the 1990s, we graduated to using CD cases. Today, it means turning on the engine, firing up the defroster, getting the wipers going on full, then sitting back and enjoying a morning coffee as the vehicle does all the work.
I prefer the middle ground and employ both liberal and conservative techniques. I buy the latest model but keep an old wooden scraper in the trunk for moments when it's time to get old-school on some ice. Technology is great but sometimes you can't finesse it. The old wooden models rely on brute strength.
Last year, I survived the cold months armed with a Garant-brand scratch-free snowbrush with a telescopic feature that allowed me to extend it out to 132 centimetres. I was proud of it. "Garant" (as I liked to call "him") served me well. When I recently pulled him out to deal with our first frost, however, it was clear he wouldn't make it through another season.
So, after a few coffees to sharpen my senses, I headed off to a hardware store in search of a replacement. The first I noticed were the sale items: scrapers that look good but feel flimsy. I could almost feel their tinny metal preparing to snap. At the back of the store under the windshield wipers, I found the newest selection of scrapers. There were "3-in-1" models and telescopic gizmos. One caught my eye – the Mossy Oak Telescopic Snow Brush with a pivoting head was done up in camouflage, which is odd since, in winter, it would stand out. This baby cost $24.99, had good feel, an easy extension and a sharp claw for chewing up thick ice. I was sold.
So, I'm ready. I've got my new best friend, "Moss." Bring on the ice and snow.
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Andrew Clark