From working in a restaurant in college, one thing the health inspector always checks is that the ice scoop handle is NOT touching the ice. Apparently, that is a huge source of bacteria being introduced into "food". You might be able to rest it in a way where this is possible, or get a little holder for it that keeps the handle up and out of the ice (that's what most restaurants have).

I finally got rid of my Samsung fridge, which had a bottom, open ice box. I too recall when we found the perfect scoop. They are actually hard to find. I believe this one was intended to be a candy scooper, at one of those do-it-yourself frozen yogurt places.

I can't recall the name of the store... It's a chain store that is overpriced "imported products" found next to an REI or some other middle/upper scale strip mall.

I can second the immense utility of an ice cube scoop. A basic plastic or metal one is just a few dollars, and will probably last forever. No more touching ice cubes with your hands!

It wasn't a new purchase so I didn't think of it for this thread, but I started leaving a water pitcher beside the sink. It's handy for watering plants, carrying water to the dog bowl (instead of carrying the dog bowl to the sink), filling the coffee maker, adding water to pots on the stove, and filling water glasses at the table. It's nothing big, but it's helpful in many small ways.

That is a great idea. I‘ve also always been slightly annoyed and picking up ice cubes and having them stick to my fingers, but it didn’t occur to me to get a scoop that’s just right for this purpose.