I'm sorry, but I've got to disagree...I'm a contractor, and use shovels WAY more than I'd like to admidt. A good fiberglass handled shovel is the way to go. I've got one from Home Depot, or Lowes, wherever, and put it thru all kinds of junk where I know I would have broke anything else ( got ran over by a K5 blazer, did not break). When I wheel, it gets strapped to the rack. I've never had an issue with it. As far as a axe...dont know what to tell you. I carry a hatchet and cordless sawzall.