Question for carbon fiber handled scoop veterans.

[Spungehead]

While I'm primarily thinking in term of the Stealth scoops, this applies to anyone that has switched over to CF on Stavr and others. Now that they've been in use for at least a few years, how do you feel about the performance of CF handles vs wood? I'm especially thinking of heavy salt water users and the potential effect over time on both wood and CF. Best performance and longevity? Does CF get more brittle with repeated saltwater exposure? Has anyone snapped a CF handle? Are they generally hollow to a degree, or strictly solid? I'm leaning heavily towards CF if I move on a new scoop soon, but with them being at least 4x the cost, I want to weigh all factors. I appreciate any/all opinions.
HH,
Andy in NW FL

 

[WaterWalker]

First off I do not own a CF shaft for my scoop. The reason is one can not be attached without adding a mount for one. The added weight would just about offset the weight difference in my current SS and a CF shaft. I would love to loose the weight of my scoop, but in water it really is not a problem. I do use CF on two Excaliburs and I wish I had gone to the over/under shafts 30 years ago.
I have used the original steel shaft and four aluminum shafts before going to a Stainless Steel tube. The SS has lasted since 1998 and is still going strong. In the same time I have broken one wood shaft (on a different scoop) and I have seen one CF shaft break on a friend's scoop.
I am not an engineer, but I have to believe drilling a hole through a CF shaft will weaken it and if not solidly mounted and wear will lead to its failure. I also believe that if a solid rod had been inserted into the CF tube to a point about a foot above the SS tube the shaft was mounted in, it may not have broken. One thing to note is that here in New England we are rough on our scoops, especially while digging is rocks and clay.
I have had my scoop welded back together several times and 4 SS lips welded on as I tend to wear them down on the rocks. I have also worn the bottom length of the scoop to the point the SS between the holes has just about disappeared. I picked up a replacement scoop some 10 years ago and it will become my "new scoop" with the old SS shaft. My original scoop will be retired to stand-by status after 24 years of service. If my replacement last that long I'll be 94 and I hope I will still be able to use it!

 

[tvr]

For years, I've used a heavy scoop that uses a post hole digger handle. Every couple years, the handle would weaken and break down near where it entered the mount. Under $10 to replace and widely available in hardware and big box home improvement stores. About a year ago, I got a stealth with a carbon fiber handle. Much less weight to carry and digs well. Time will tell how well it holds up. So far, I am happy with it. If it does break, finding a usable replacement handle at a local store won't be as easy.

 

[Spungehead]

tyr, in regard to finding a replacement handle locally, do you mean as a temporary solution to keep detecting? Assuming I've read Chuck's website correctly, the CF handles have a lifetime warranty just as the buckets do. If so, that is a very impressive warranty.

 

[tvr]

do you mean as a temporary solution to keep detecting

Yes

 

[Ruslan]

Spungehead . CF it makes sense to use a hunting for dry and wet sand and CF Travel handle
look http://stavrscoop.com/en/12-sand-scoop-monstrik-10-.html

 

[scubadetector]

I love my scoops with CF handles. Although I don't use them in salt water they have never let me down. A lot less weight and a pleasure to use.

 

[OldBeechnut]

Call me cheap, Same fiber glass handles since 2011, Hundreds of hours, no breakers yet...But..... I'm sure if I hunted out of the water (wet/dry sand) ... now that I'm a old goat, I just may go for one of those new Andersons CF's..

 

[pasttom]

I have gone Anderson cf with my T-Rex and my hunting buddy has the stealth cf & scoop. We are out beach hunting 10- 20 hours a week, year round. We are both very happy with them. I snapped my wooden handle after 3 weeks and learned to not pull force suddenly but ramp up slowly. The cf shaft seems very stable and performed very well. I did have to force myself to break the habit of tapping finds on the shaft. I think keeping surface integrity is a good idea. I also did not follow installation directions to use a set screw for that reason. After nearly a year of hard use the tight press fit has not budged. I wrapped a piece of gaffers tape around the lip to show any movement and so far none has occurred.

 

[stephenscool]

Cf all the way. If you rarely travel you can seal the shaft in the scoop using a 2 part epoxy. This protects the bottom area and it's also easier in the sand.
I've had 1 sealed in the shaft for 2 years without a screw keeping it in place.

 

[Mr. Carolina]

I use Chucks CF handle in my 2024 aluminum Diablo sand scoop which makes it the lightest large scoop set up out there. I dig salt water rock, gravel, shell and sand with no problems. Life time warranty on both. Can't beat it !!!

 

[stephenscool]

also .... if your hunting in the water it makes sense to fill the shaft full of foam/pool noodle. That way the upper part is going to float to the top

 

[Dig]

I made the jump to Carbon Fiber and haven't looked back. I'm in the water alot and look at it as an investment in my digging arm. I have used my stealth 920ix and 720 with CF handle for the last year or so and have not broken it. I have however broken almost every other handle before it, including one I made from a public stairway handrail. In my opinion...worth it. Plus, even if it does pooch out on you Chuck is great on his warranty. Just my humble opinion