Nice idea. The problem is, I don't quite know what kind of stainless steel could do the job at that price point. 420-ish will take a working edge, but can be quite brittle. Anything else is too expensive. Sorry, I just can't see stainless.

The real trick would be an optimized system for the existing carbon, at a price. A double-epoxy-coated head, with a phosphoric-acid repair and marine-paint touch-up kit. And a pressure-treated handle with several replenishing protective coats. (Yeah, it sounds like a skin-cream commercial, quit sniggering :-)

I could really see a fibreglass handle though. Not the junk that's half plastic, but the 100% fibreglass version. Maybe with an octagonal cut and a couple of axe-handle-style flares (whatever they're called) at the butt.

P.S., If I were to poke CS, I'd request a version of the CS shovel that was a trifle smaller (but not much shorter) and came through at 16oz exactly. The Backpacker's Buddy. And the Gardener's Friend. And the Hunter's Companion. I think they could sell millions and millions of these, retail and wholesale, and make themselves insanely filthy rich. (I've just put in an order for 10, delivery pending ... or not ... just in time for Christmas.)

My $0.02 and then some.