UKC

To round up the various ice axes thread from the good students of Haytloft Comp or wherever, here is all you ever wanted to know about ice axes but were unable to beat out of Jamie B.

Ice axes manufacturers include:

Grivel
DMM
Camp
Petzl Charlet


Most are manufacured using alloy, though carbon has been used. The exception is Only a Hill's bamboo "Kletterstickumpthingy" supplied by messrs Wolfblatter and Gripeson, purveyors of fine gentlemen's perambulation equipment.

Whilst an axe can be fettled in a school metal work class, the concept of stress and metal fatigue will be a short, interesting and most likely terminal lesson

Here is a useful link for all things ice axe related.

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ice-axe.html

Assuming you're around 14, you're gonna hit paydirt when you get to the bit about handling a stiff shaft.

I hope that helps










innit

In reply to John Rushby: Good job.

Also there are these things that are all trendy and awesome and some people climb logs and chains and stuff with them. Probably easier to make than 'normal' axes too...

http://www.mountainblack.com/X-Monster

R

In reply to John Rushby:
Is this the thread for helpful advice on future axe modifications?

I was thinking of replacing the spike on the bottom of the axe with a CO2 powered spike with a carrot head on the back for when you really need an anchor fast.

Maybe a heater in the pick like those gas powered soldering irons so you can make precise placements in brittle ice?

In reply to John Rushby:

I still see the odd wood handled walking axe around. Grivel even sell them new.

I wouldn't climb with one though.