My shovel has also has a lot of play in the handle/blade connection area. The 6000 aluminum blade is equivalent to the Volie pro (6016 on the T6 model) the whole shovel besides the pad and handle are for that matter. If you want a lighter "bombproof" shovel may I suggest the Black Diamonds, or Ortovox Grizzly 1 or 2 preferably. This is a good shovel for in your trunk or on the Snowmo. Great for moving snow not HARDPACK.

This thing is solid as a rock. Built to take abuse and move snow. But burley=heavey. There may be lighter options but not stronger.

Just took a brand new example of this supposedly bombproof shovel to New Zealand to do my Avi safety management level one....
We encountered a fairly bombproof spring snowpack for most of the week. Initially , I thought the shovel had a little too much movement bw blade and handle which will only serve to weaken the connection over time. Otherwise it seemed okay... however to my disgust the thing (blade) bent like a noodle during a simulated rescue exercise which inturn gave me zero confidence in the thing for dealing with a real burial.
I observed several BD shovels attacking the same snowpack and all seemed to survive with little or no deformation... wish i had have gone with one of those or better still a Voile pro! Sorry Ortovox blade strength just aint up to it!!!!

I bought one of these shovels about two years ago, I liked it so much a bought another one year later for a relative. It is very durable and very cool looking. It's great for shoveling snow and burglars tend to say away from you when they see you take it out of the trunk. This shovel can be used for these two purposes, to clear away snow and for home protection. You can't go wrong with this item. Enjoy.
P.S. The handle is very comfortable too!

i use this shovel for backcountry skiing/mountaineering and it is sick, move alot of snow very fast, kinda heavy, but a great shovel