UKC

I had a pair of the old version Flys for 4 winters and loved them . My only complaint was the bulge in the head which was VERY uncomfortable when holding the head with pick facing backwards. I see that on the latest Flys DMM have reduced and rounded the bulge but it is still there. Is it still an issue?

Or should I just forget about buying locally manufactured and get some Quarks or Vipers? I do like the Quarks very much but the adze looks pathetically small. I can't imagine how you could possible dig out a ledge with it.

In reply to Andy Mountains:

I love vipers. Solid, nice swing for me and hell I've given every single bit of that axe some real abuse and they still look nearly brand new. I can't recommend them enough.

I assume the head issue you're on about is pick all the way along? As per the cirque etc?

In reply to Andy Mountains:
You'll manage just fine with a smaller adze and hammer IMO. I think your next tools should allow leashless / lanyard climbing and have a grip rest as well as an upper griprest and enough curvature to make holding the handles easier. That pretty much rules out the flys IMO.

I personally don't tend to dig out ledges I mostly kick them out, I'll only dig if I hit enough ice (or if the snowice / neve is bone hard)

One thing to watch on the new quarks is the upper grip rest is fairly fragile, that would be enough to stop me buying them personally.