For almost 20 years, Svobodny has been selling an ice removal tool, which he describes as “the best we sell”. The Ultimate Scraper is nothing special, but some local hardware store operators and commercial snow and ice removal companies wouldn’t be without it.

Andrei Branitski, owner of Snowpros commercial snow removal company in Minneapolis, bought several hundred scrapers after testing them at a trade show.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency likes to reduce deicer compounds that can be harmful to the environment.

“It’s a good scraper,” said Brooke Asleson, chloride program administrator at MPCA. “Minnesotans can feed lakes and streams low in salt and try a scraper or shovel instead.”

The flexible steel blade was invented by Dave Young of Grand Forks, ND, and was designed to remove snow and ice from foot and vehicle traffic.

However, Young was interested in inventions and innovations, not marketing. His nephew, Paul McNamee of Blaine, believed the ice scraper needed to be made accessible to a wider audience.

“I thought all scrapers were the same until I moved to the cities and started using others,” he said. “My uncle’s design can hack through ice without splintering or puckering, and the blade is thin enough to go below the surface and loosen and separate.”

McNamee asked his uncle for more blades after his father-in-law, a painter, liked it so much that he offered to take them to his connections at local hardware stores.

The scraper is made in Grand Forks. The components are then assembled and powder coated by the professional development center in Bemidji, a nonprofit that employs people with disabilities.

The story goes on

Even after 20 years, the Ultimate Scraper remains a humble tool best known in Minnesota and in commerce. It’s not worn by Home Depot, Menards, or Lowe’s, although it is sold in 10 states.

Since the flexible blade is not made of stainless steel, users should wipe it dry after each use or it may rust. Replacement blades are available but not needed, McNamee said.

“It sharpens when you use it,” he said. “You can buy an extra blade if you want, but you’ll likely misplace it before you need it.”

When the snow and ice have melted, the scraper also works well for removing old tile, clapboard, and drywall sludge, McNamee said.

In 20 years he has sold about 75,000 units, but selling scrapers remains a sideline. He is also the chief financial officer of the markets of Lake Street Capital, Minneapolis, and co-owner of an ice cream parlor for Cold Stone Creamery in Blaine.

“Ice cream or ice scraper, they’re good coverage for each other,” he said.

For $ 40, the Ultimate Scraper sells in more than 70 locations, including B. in selected Ace Hardware and Fastenal stores as well as at UltimateScraper.com.

John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633

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