UKC

New DMM Axe Range With Video

© UKC Gear
By Sarah Stirling

Earlier this week, UKC were at the massive winter tradeshow, ISPO Munich, checking out the latest gear innovations. Yesterday we announced the highlights of the ISPO Munich 2012 Awards. In this video news item we introduce the range of five new / completely revamped ice axes from DMM. More ISPO reports will follow.

Hot on the heels of their 30th anniversary last year, DMM proved they're as 'committed to innovation' as ever at ISPO 2012, by unveiling a stack of new gear they've been toiling over in their Llanberis factory. New winter protection, a modern leash system, colour coded screwgate carabiner packs, new cams combining elements of the 4CU and the Dragon ... and, of course, the tools that have been causing the hype in the forums (see here) - the range of axes due next winter.

There are five tools in the new range, offering something for all levels of winter walking and climbing from simple and light to the cutting edge. The classic best-sellers the Cirque, Fly and Raptor have been brought up to speed and two brand new top end axes, the Switch and the Apex, replace the Anarchist and Rebel respectively.

The idea behind the new ice axe range was to celebrate the company's 30 years of technical knowledge, combine it with the feedback from climbers they've received over the years, and create a range built to withstand the demands of modern climbing, while also offering exceptional performance. Plenty of questions about them have been raised in the forums. We'll be paying a visit to the factory to check them out in more detail and having some on test as soon as they are available.

VIDEO: What's new at DMM?

In the video below, David Noddings unveils the brand new DMM ice axes plus a few other new goodies for the coming season.

"As always, fulfilling the requirements of climbers throughout the world has been our primary motivation. All of the team here at DMM are truly proud of these products; we've designed them together, tested them together, refined them together, built them together, and we all choose to climb on them without hesitation. Have a fantastic year of climbing, adventures, and experiences."

DMM - "STEEPED IN TRADITION COMMITTED TO INNOVATION"


DMM introduce their new axe range:

CIRQUE

DMM's classic walking and mountaineering axe has had an update.

The popular workhorse walking and mountaineering axe is now even sleeker and stronger. The new handle provides superb grip and the fully T-rated pick and shaft provides ultimate security in self-arrest and belay building. Now also available in a hammer option for when the going gets steeper and two axes are required. A perfect pairing for lightweight semi technical mountaineering.

  • Hot forged ergonomic handle
  • T Rated Integrity Construction
  • Adze and Hammer versions available
  • Supplied with DMM Standard Leash

RAPTOR

A versatile tool for mountaineering, winter walking and classic climbs.

Developed in conjunction with guides and mountaineering instructors, the Raptor is a classic tool that is built to last. The aggressive alpine picks deal easily with steep couloirs, ridges, glacier work and self-arrest. The full size hammer and adze can cope with everything from cutting steps to chopping ledges, from bashing pegs to digging out belays. The gently curved shaft allows extra clearance whilst swinging and daggering, yet does not hinder hammering, step cutting, or plunging the tools.

  • Hot forged ergonomic handle
  • T Rated Integrity Construction
  • Adze and Hammer versions available
  • Can be fitted with the Fly pick sets for more technical terrain
  • Supplied with Chokehold Leash

FLY

The iconic DMM Fly: our all-round climbing axe brought bang up to date for 2012.

Tried and tested the world over, their go anywhere, do anything, classic winter tool has just got better. The original Fly has been used on the first ascents of challenging lines throughout the world for the last two decades. With this latest evolution, they've updated the tools with modern climbing in mind: an improved handle, a lower hand rest as standard, and the option to add on an upper rest for leashless climbing.

  • Hot forged ergonomic handle
  • T Rated Integrity Construction
  • Bottom hand rest for optimum support
  • Optional add-on upper rest enables matching and leashless climbing
  • Can be fitted with the Raptor pick sets for less technical terrain

Note: After recent feedback the large bump on the top of the pick will be reduced to increase comfort.

APEX

A new, radically curved technical tool for hard icefalls and modern mixed climbing.

Built to offer superb balance and precision on steep ice, massive mountain routes and mixed test pieces. The curved shaft is designed to give an ergonomic hand position and impressive clearance around bulging ice. Can be used with leashes in traditional climbing mode, but apparently excels without leashes for the more modern approach. The new one piece T rated Ice and Mix picks cover all the bases.

  • Hot forged, ergonomic handle
  • T Rated Integrity Construction
  • Dual handrests for leashless climbing
  • High clearance shaft
  • Pick weights for bullet hard ice and customised balance
  • Supplied with grip tape for handle/shaft customisation
  • Supplied with T Rated Ice picks as standard
  • Mixed and Ice specific picks available separately
  • Compact Hammer, Compact Adze, Mountain Adze (Large)

SWITCH

Setting new standards for technical climbing in any terrain - ice, mixed or alpine.

A true, leashless all rounder! If swinging around on a pick placement with both hands matched, gunning for your next sketchy hook is your thing, then look no further - likewise, if quick enchainements in the Alps or psychedelically featured continental ice float your boat then this is the tool for you. The Switch is DMM's new 'state of the art' full strength leashless tool that takes all of our design heritage and manufacturing knowledge and brings them together into a modern classic.

  • Glove friendly, hot forged ergonomic handle with full strength upper and lower rests and supreme stability
  • T Rated Integrity Construction
  • Full strength clip-in point accessible from either rest
  • High clearance shaft
  • Inboard eyelet allows threading of cord for use with freedom leashes
  • Pick weights for bullet hard ice and customised balance
  • Supplied with grip tape for handle/shaft customisation
  • Supplied with T Rated Ice picks as standard
  • Mixed and Ice specific picks available separately
  • Compact Hammer, Compact Adze, Mountain Adze (Large)

For more information DMM



3 Feb, 2012
Is the Demon a replacement for the 4CU or a new range to go between that and the Dragon? They obviously feel they need to offer people a direct competitor to the Friend. Also, with the fairly aggressive shape of the Apex there now seems to be a gap between that and the Fly for an "all-rounder" tool? A gap that perhaps the Rebel previously filled? Like the look of the axes a lot though!
4 Feb, 2012
One could hope at least
4 Feb, 2012
Surely the Cirque hammer is a bit pointless?
5 Feb, 2012
And the Swedish judge gives a score of 2/10 for this trolling attempt. With a bit of work with a file the cirque is actually not that bad for climbing ice. A friend of mine climbed idwal stream with a dual cirque set up last year and was quite happy with them. Given the weight of the raptor it makes sense to me at least.
5 Feb, 2012
Petzl anyone!!??
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Product News at UKC presents climbing, walking and mountaineering equipment posts that will be of interest to our readers. Please feel free to comment about the post and products on the associated thread.
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