True Temper 20-Inch Steel Snow Pusher Review

Introduction: Why I Picked Up the True Temper 20-Inch Steel Snow Pusher

I have been clearing snow from my own driveway and walkways for over a decade, and I have gone through more shovels and pushers than I care to count. When I first saw the True Temper 20-Inch Steel Snow Pusher, I was immediately drawn to its no-nonsense design. It is not flashy. It does not have a fancy name or a bright, modern grip. It is a simple, old-school tool built around a steel blade and a hardwood handle. I needed something that could handle the heavy, wet slush that often clogs up my corner of the Northeast, and I also needed something that would not break the bank. After reading a few mixed reviews online, I decided to buy one myself and put it through a full winter season. This review is based on my personal experience with this snow pusher over the course of about four months, including several significant storms and plenty of daily light dustings.

How I Tested It: Real Conditions, Real Work

I did not test this snow pusher in a lab or on a perfectly flat, measured surface. I used it on my own property, which includes a 60-foot concrete driveway, a set of brick pavers leading to the front door, and a short wooden deck. The driveway has a slight slope and a few rough patches where the concrete has chipped over the years. I used the True Temper pusher for every snowfall from early December through late March. That included three storms with over eight inches of wet, heavy snow, several events with four to six inches of powder, and numerous mornings where I had to clear a half-inch of icy crust left by freezing rain.

I deliberately used the pusher for both scraping and pushing. I wanted to see how the steel blade handled packed snow and ice, how the hardwood handle felt after an hour of continuous work, and how the overall build held up to repeated impact with the ground. I also asked my neighbor, who has a longer, steeper driveway, to try it for a week. I recorded notes on blade wear, handle splintering, and any signs of rust or loosening hardware. I did not use any power tools or modifications. I simply used the tool as it came out of the box.

Performance: Scraping, Pushing, and the Reality of Steel

Scraping Power: The Big Pro

The single biggest reason to buy this snow pusher is the steel blade. It is a 20-inch wide piece of heavy-gauge steel that is formed with a slight curve. When you tilt the handle forward, the leading edge digs into the surface with serious authority. I have used plastic pushers before, and they always skip over hard-packed snow or leave a thin layer of ice behind. The True Temper steel blade does not skip. It bites. I was able to scrape down to bare concrete on my driveway after a freezing rain event where the snow had turned into a solid, icy crust. The blade did not flex or bounce. It just cut through.

For pushing light to moderate snow, the 20-inch width is a sweet spot. It is wide enough to move a decent amount of snow with each pass, but not so wide that it becomes unmanageable when the snow is heavy. I found that I could push about six inches of fresh powder without much strain. When the snow was wet and heavy, I had to take smaller bites, but the steel blade still moved the load effectively. It does not have a curved scoop like a traditional shovel, so it is not designed for lifting and throwing. This is a pusher and a scraper first. If you need to toss snow over a pile, you will want a different tool.

Ice and Hard Pack: Where It Excels

This tool really shines when you have a layer of ice or compacted snow that has been driven over. I have a spot in my driveway where the car tires pack the snow into a dense, slippery layer. Most shovels just slide over it. The True Temper pusher, with a little extra downward pressure, chipped it up into manageable chunks. I was able to clear that area in about five minutes, whereas with a plastic shovel I would have been out there for twenty minutes, frustrated and cold. The steel edge does not dull quickly either. After a full winter, the leading edge still has a sharp, defined corner. There is some minor scuffing and scratching on the paint, but no significant wear to the metal itself.

Build and Value: Hardwood Handle, Steel Blade, and the Trade-offs

The Hardwood Handle: Sturdy but Not Perfect

The handle is made from solid hardwood. It is not a cheap, hollow fiberglass stick. It has a nice, natural feel in the hand, and it does not transmit cold through gloves as much as metal handles do. The handle is attached to the steel blade with a metal bracket and two bolts. That connection is solid. I never felt like the blade was going to separate from the handle, even when I was really leaning into a tough patch of ice. The length of the handle is standard, about 48 inches, which is comfortable for someone of average height. I am 5’10”, and I did not have to bend over too much to get good leverage.

However, there is a real downside to the hardwood. Over the course of the winter, I noticed small splinters developing on the handle, particularly near the grip area where my hands made the most contact. I wear thick work gloves, so it was not a painful issue, but it is a sign that the wood is not sealed or finished as well as it could be. If you plan to use this pusher for many seasons, you will likely need to sand the handle down and apply a coat of varnish or linseed oil to keep it smooth. This is a common issue with budget-friendly tools that use natural wood handles. It is not a dealbreaker, but it is something to be aware of.

No Ergonomic Grip: A Missed Opportunity

This is the most significant ergonomic flaw. There is no padded or contoured grip on the handle. It is just bare wood from top to bottom. There is no D-grip handle, no foam sleeve, and no rubber overmold. This means that if you are clearing a large area, your hands will get tired, and you may develop blisters if you are not wearing gloves. I found that after about 30 minutes of continuous use, my hands started to ache from gripping the smooth, round wood. I had to take breaks more often than I would with a shovel that has an ergonomic handle. For occasional use, this is manageable. For someone who has to clear a long driveway after every storm, the lack of a grip is a real annoyance.

Value for Money: Affordable and Built to Last

The True Temper 20-Inch Steel Snow Pusher is priced at the lower end of the market. You can find it for well under $50 at most hardware stores and online retailers. For that price, you are getting a tool that is built with real steel and real hardwood. There is no plastic to crack in the cold, no hollow tube to bend, and no cheap rivets to pop out. The construction is simple and robust. I have seen similar pushers with plastic blades that cost the same amount, but they do not scrape ice anywhere near as well. The value proposition here is clear: you are trading some comfort and convenience for raw durability and scraping power. If you break this tool, it will likely be because the handle splinters and cracks after years of use, not because the blade fails.

Who Should Buy It (and Who Should Skip It)

Ideal User: The Practical Homeowner Who Scrapes

This snow pusher is perfect for the homeowner who needs to clear a modest driveway, a walkway, or a patio. If you deal with ice and hard-packed snow regularly, the steel blade is a game-changer. It is also a great choice for someone who prefers a simple, repairable tool. If the handle eventually wears out, you can replace it with a new wooden handle from a hardware store. The metal bracket is standard, and the bolts are easy to remove. This is not a disposable tool. It is a tool you can maintain and keep for a long time.

It is also a good fit for the budget-conscious buyer. You do not need to spend a lot of money to get a tool that works. If you are tired of plastic shovels that crack in the cold or bend under heavy snow, this steel pusher is a reliable alternative. It is not fancy, but it gets the job done.

Not for Everyone: The Comfort-Seeker and the Heavy Lifter

If you have a very long driveway, say over 100 feet, or if you have back problems, you should probably look for a pusher with an ergonomic handle. The lack of a padded grip and the straight, non-bent shaft will put more strain on your lower back over time. Also, if you primarily deal with light, fluffy snow and you never have to scrape ice, a lighter plastic pusher might be easier to handle. This tool is heavy. The steel blade adds significant weight, and after a long session, you will feel it in your arms and shoulders.

I would also advise against this tool for anyone who needs to lift and throw snow. This is a pusher, not a shovel. If you try to use it like a shovel, you will be frustrated by the flat blade and the lack of a scoop. It is designed to push snow forward, not to lift it sideways.

My Verdict: A Solid, No-Nonsense Workhorse

After a full winter of hard use, I have a clear opinion on the True Temper 20-Inch Steel Snow Pusher. It is not the most comfortable tool I have ever used, and the splintering handle is a valid concern. But when it comes to the core job of scraping ice and pushing heavy snow, it outperforms almost every other budget pusher I have tried. The steel blade is tough, effective, and shows no signs of failure. The hardwood handle, while rough, is strong and repairable.

I give it a solid recommendation, but with a caveat: you need to know what you are getting into. This is a tool for people who value function over form. It is for the person who wants a tool that will not break, that will scrape down to the pavement, and that will last for years with a little care. If you are willing to sand the handle and wear good gloves, you will be rewarded with a reliable snow removal tool that costs a fraction of what you would pay for a high-end ergonomic pusher.

For my own driveway, I will keep using it. I have already sanded the handle and applied a coat of boiled linseed oil, and it feels much better now. The blade is still sharp, and the bolts are tight. I expect to get at least another five winters out of this tool, maybe more. It is not perfect, but it is honest, and it works.