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Ice axes are one of the most essential pieces of equipment for mountaineers, ice climbers, and other cold-weather adventurers. These versatile tools can be used for everything from hacking away at icefalls and chopping steps to practicing self-arrest techniques.
Whether you are climbing steep snow or vertical ice climbing ice tools are a huge part of mountaineering.
Ice axes come in various shapes and sizes to suit different needs, and they usually have straight or curved shafts.
Straight-shaft ice axes are better for technical climbing, while curved shaft Ice axes are more versatile and can be used for activities like ski mountaineering and glacial travel. No matter what your adventure entails, make sure you bring along the right ice axe for the job.
How To Choose An Ice Axe
So you're looking for the best ice axe? Well, there are a few things to consider when choosing your new tool. Do you want an ultralight model or one with modular heads that can handle steeper snow routes and complex glaciers?
Or maybe something in between which is great all around but isn't too lightweight so it won’t make climbing easy on tired muscles!
Length
Ice axes that are too long cause big problems whereas a shorter ice axe rarely ever does. The length should be proportional to your height to get you where you want to go.
One of the most common misconceptions about ice axes is that they should hit your ankle when you walk. This leads people to believe, incorrectly I might add, this will help with stability in low angle or flat terrain while using it like a cane but instead, we need our spikes touching down 25-40 degrees lower so there are actually three points holding onto surfaces rather than just two.
General Size Guidelines
Under 5'6": 45-50cm
5'6" to 5'8": 50-55cm
5'9" to 6'0": 50-60cm
6'1" to 6'4": 50-65cm
Over 6'4": 60-70cm
Pick Shapes
Positive Curve
A general mountaineering axe is a versatile tool that can be used for climbing ski slopes, steep snow-covered mountainsides, and even ice fields. This type of design features both positive (downward arching) pick to help it penetrate the surface layer with minimal friction as well as an additional feature called "self-arrest" which means when you swing your weapon into higher angle terrain such we climbed up on some cliffs or mountain peaks - this will keep things from slipping back down again.
Neutral Curve
The neutral curve pick is designed to be as smooth and easy on the ice as possible. This makes them good for self-arresting, but not very secure when swinging into an object like a rock or another player's stick (depending on how much force there has been).
Reverse Curve
The reverse curve pick is a good choice for climbing ice and steeper snow because it starts trending down like the positive slope but commonly at an increased angle. This shape makes removing your tool from such surfaces easier after you have driven in below it with this design; however, models featuring this characteristic may be less "smooth" when self-arresting which can lead to some bumps along its path of descent.
Materials
Steel
The durability and weight of steel make it a popular metal for heads, picks, and other objects in today's manufacturing world. Unfortunately also means that there are some limitations when dealing with more delicate tasks such as chopping steps or piercing firm ice; however, this shouldn't stop you from trying your hand at these difficult objectives if they're what attracted someone to use their tool.
Aluminum
Aluminum is a lightweight metal that can be used in certain situations where you will not put it through heavy duty. It's best for adventure racing, ski mountaineering, and early-season backpacking trips where your adventures are milder than serious ones with little climbing on steep snow or pounding across picket fences made out of ice.
Titanium
Titanium is a strong metal that can be easily shaped into any form. It's heavier than aluminum but lighter compared to steel, making it an excellent choice for those who need both performance and weight in their tools or equipment.
Curve In The Shaft
The curved shaft in more traditional all-around mountaineering axes was unusual, but now it is becoming common. It has the advantage of being able to swing your ice axe into the snow with less risk of hitting something solid and getting hurt by accident or on purpose if you want too badly enough (like many people do).
There's also this curve that helps prevent hand injury when climbing steep slopes because their hands stay warmer and dryer near the bottom where they're holding onto while kicking steps up using every ounce o power left within themselves until finally reaching safe ground again before returning back.
With a curved shaft, these models were able to penetrate the snow better and stopped most ice axes from slipping. The downside is that it's slightly more difficult when using them as vertically-oriented deadmen or plunging into the hard pack with steep pitches for pulling bulges in particular since you have fewer options on how far down your blade goes before having contact with surface soil/ice beneath which can cause an arrestment.
The Adze
An adze is an important tool for alpine climbers. It allows you to dig snow anchors or create caves in the hardest frozen blocks of water, and even chop out tent platforms with its sharp edge.
The Spike
A spike is useful when climbing ice axes, as it increases the strength and helps penetrate into firmer snow. For adventure racers or backpackers who often spend time in softer conditions where a cane would be more beneficial due to its length restrictions on slopes with steep angles of incline (such as°moderately difficult mountain trails). Another benefit that comes from using one's axe vertically rather than horizontally; is spikes make poking holes easier because they bit deeper into bare frozen surfaces while remaining sharp enough not only to break through but also cut loose blocks held down by pressure like granite rocks, etc.
Grivel Air Tech Evo G-Bone
The Air Tech axe now with the improved grip and performance of the G-bone shaft. The head, which is hot forged from a single piece of steel, has become an established alpine classic.
The shaft's gentle curve just below the head gives greater clearance and makes anchoring easier on any sort of terrain, while the lower straight part of the shaft will penetrate into snow with little effort.
Also available with the new Easy Slider with Spring Leash system, the new hand rest that slides to the top of the shaft when sunk in snow or to the bottom to support the hand in traction.
The huge success of the Air Tech Evo has encouraged us to create the perfect complement: an Air Tech with a hot forged hammer. The most advanced axe technology is under 500 grams!
- The Air Tech axe now with an improved grip and performance of the G-bone shaft. The head, which is hot forged from a single piece of steel, has become an established alpine classic.
- The shaft's gentle curve just below the head gives greater clearance and makes anchoring easier on any sort of terrain, while the lower straight part of the shaft will penetrate into snow with little effort. Also available with the new Easy Slider with Spring Leash system, the new hand rest that slides to the top of the shaft when sunk in snow or to the bottom to support the hand in traction.
- The huge success of the Air Tech Evo has encouraged us to create the perfect complement: an Air Tech with a hot forged hammer. The most advanced axe technology is under 500 grams!
- Chromoly Steel Blade; Curved Shaft
- Weight: 458 grams 16.1 oz; CE Certified B UIAA
Petzl - Summit EVO, Technical Ice Axe
Designed for classic mountaineering, the SUMMIT EVO ice axe is the tool of choice for all types of alpine trips. Lightweight and with a waterjet-formed tube, it offers a very comfortable grip under the head of the axe.
The technical design of the curved shaft provides the necessary clearance on steep, icy terrain. The forged and well-balanced head provides very good anchoring qualities. The grip of the shaft makes it a precise and efficient ice axe.
PETZL Sum'tec Ice Axe
- Material: steel, aluminium, polyamide
- Certification(s): CE, UIAA
- Weight: 470 g.
- Suitable for technical mountaineering
Petzl - Summit, Classic Mountaineering Ice Axe
Designed for classic mountaineering, the SUMMIT ice axe offers an excellent balance between price and performance. It is lightweight and offers good anchoring performance of both the head and the spike; it is curved to offer necessary clearance for steep ice; it can be used in piolet-canne or piolet-rampe mode as well as in piolet-traction mode on short, steep sections.
- LIGHTWEIGHT: The SUMMIT weighs between 360 and 400 grams (depending on length). It's light enough for longer treks and climbs while still weighing enough for good anchoring power.
- HANDLE: The handle is made of anodized aluminum that resists rust. Additionally, the adze has a handle cut into it to provide a better grip.
- EASY TO USE: The upper part of the shaft is curved for good clearance when climbing while the lower part is straighter and provides efficient penetration in snow.
PETZL Gullyice Ice Axe
- Material: steel, aluminum, polyamide.
- Certification(s): CE, UIAA.
- Weight: 280 g.
- Suitable for technical mountaineering and steep wall riding.
Black Diamond Venom Adze
Half technical ice tool and half classic piolet, the Black Diamond Venom Adze Ice Axe is ideal for steep alpine climbs and ski mountaineering routes where some overhead swinging may be involved.
The classic pick is made of a light but strong Chromoly steel that is ideal for self-arresting. The curved aluminum shaft provides additional clearance when ascending steep colouirs, and the stainless steel spike provides an extra point of balance when traveling across snow fields.
- Stainless steel head with integrated adze or hammer
- Interchangeable pick construction is compatible with all BD picks
- Asymmetrical angled shaft with integrated grip for ergonomic handling
- Hammer comes with Mountain Tech pick, Adze comes with Mountain Classic pick
- Adjustable FlickLock pommel
Petzl Glacier Ice Axe
Lightweight performance ice axe for glacier travel and mountaineering, with a meticulous design and finish. The GLACIER ice axe offers very good anchoring qualities in hard snow and ice, thanks to its very high-quality steel pick, guaranteeing both solid bite and durability. It also has an anodized aluminum shaft with a machined handle for excellent grip.
- LIGHTWEIGHT PERFORMANCE: The GLACIER is built to keep you secure during glacier travel without weighing you down.
- PROPRIETARY STEEL: Petzl ice picks are constructed using a proprietary blend of the world's highest-quality steel.
- EASY ANCHORING: Whether you're trudging up hard snow, battling through the ice, or traversing the glacier; with its thin and durable steel pick and stainless steel spike, the GLACIER ice axe is built for easy, secure anchoring.
- GRIP YOU CAN TRUST: Anodized, aeronautic-grade aluminum shaft, and machined handle ensure a reliable grip.
- VERSATILITY REDEFINED: Steel adze designed for efficient cutting of steps. Head and spike equipped with holes for clipping a carabiner or attaching a sling.
Petzl - Ride, Compact, Ultralight Ice Axe
Ultralight and very compact, the RIDE ice axe goes everywhere with you for ski touring or glacier travel, without weighing you down. Solid placements thanks to the all-steel head, a pick tapered to 3 mm, and a bent shaft.
- HIGHLY TECHNICAL: The RIDE's steel head offers the same performance as a classic ice axe. The pick is tapered to 3 mm at the end for good penetration in ice.
- LIGHTWEIGHT: Weighing in at only 240 grams, the RIDE won't weigh you down on long treks and climbs.
- COMPACT: The RIDE is only 45 cm in length and has a beveled spike, allowing for easy storage inside your pack and reduced risk of injury when attached to the outside of your pack.
- EASY TO USE: The curved shaft and machined grip make this ice axe easy to handle during climbs.
- COMPATIBILITY: The RIDE ice axe is compatible with Petzl's PICK AND SPIKE PROTECTION protectors and the LINKIN leash.
CAMP Corsa Nanotech Ice Axe
- Sandvik Nanoflex is an innovative patented steel alloy that is 70% stronger and 20% harder than normal steel which allows for a significant reduction in the amount of metal used, thereby decreasing weight while maintaining strength.
- A technical version of the Corsa with a single-curve shaft and Sandvik Nanoflex steel-reinforced tip and spike for a solid grip on hard snow and ice
- Designed for glacier travel and ski mountaineering
- The nylon spike plug keeps snow out of the shaft
- Small head slot for seamless integration with the Corsa leash (sold separately)
CAMP Neve Ice Axe
- General Mountaineering
- Forged Chromoly steel pick and adze
- Carabiner holes at the head and spike
- Symmetric steel spike plunges smoothly
- Equipped with a sliding leash
CAMP Corsa Alpine Ice Axe
- A lightweight axe with a steelhead for technical terrain
- Designed for glacier travel, alpinism, and ski mountaineering
- The pick is tapered to 3 mm for better penetration on hard snow and ice
- The nylon spike plug keeps snow out of the shaft
- Small head slot for seamless integration with the Corsa leash (sold separately)
Black Diamond Raven Pro Ice Axe 60Cm
- Lightweight trapezoidal, slightly curved aluminum shaft with grooved grip for more control during self-arrest or climbing
- Investment-cast, one-piece stainless-steel head with a tuned aggressive pick and a large hole for a carabiner
- Ergonomic head
- CEN-B certified
Grivel G1 Axe
- The hot-forged head from one solid piece of carbon steel ensures the highest quality, strength, and durability of a mountain axe.
- The axe head is ergonomically shaped for a comfortable grip while walking or in case of self-arrest.
- ERGAL high-strength aluminum alloy shaft for weight savings and balance.
- Hot forged carbon steel spike to easily plunge into varying snow conditions.
- Forged head grip for easy handling; Carbon Steal Blade; CE Certified B and UIAA; Weight 58cm: 449 grams/15.84 oz.
