In reply to Ramon Marin:
Ramon climbs way harder than me but I do get to climb pure (and often rather hard) water ice most weekends through the winter and the following sounds exactly right to me as well, albeit at much lowlier grades!
> a good powerful kick of the crampons for a secure foot placement. Then the spotting of the right tool placement before you even swing the axe (grooves and recesses are the best) and then the wrist flick.
Some people do seem really scared of placing their crampons. Kick! That's what they are for! Enjoy it! Get your aggression out.
Choosing where to hit with your tool is also very important. Simple rule is that its almost always best to go for the concave, avoid the convex.