Ice Tool and Ice Axe
An ice tool evolved from the ice axe, however it is more specialized for use in ice climbing. It is sometimes referred to as a technical axe to distinguish it from a mountaineering ice axe. For ice climbing, The climber ascends an ice fall wearing crampons attached to ice climbing boots, with two ice tools, one in each hand. The ice climber keeps his weight balanced over the point where the crampons touch the ice. Each tool is then positioned, one over the other as he ascends the ice. The ice tool penetrates the ice and provides a grip for balance.The weight of an ice tool is important. The heavier tool will penetrate ice an packed snow easier. However, heavier is not necessarily better. The weight of an ice tool must be balanced by the ability of the climber to carry and swing it for hours at a time. Large climbers may choose a larger heavier tool, while a smaller climber may pick an ice tool that is somewhat smaller.
Ice Axe compared to an Ice Tool
An ice axe is used during alpine and mountaineering, or while traveling across ice, glacier or snowfields. An ice axe is often referred to as a mountaineering axe to separate and distinguish it from an ice tool. An ice axe is used to assist with the assent, to grab rock edges, cracks, and ledges. It is an invaluable device for stopping a slide or fall.
Ice Tool Size and Shape
The different types of ice climbing require a different tool design. For waterfall ice climbing the most popular length is 50 centimeters. Larger climbers may be able to use a slightly larger ice tool, around 55 centimeters. Smaller climbers may use a 45 centimeter tool. Waterfall and mixed ice climbing tool should have a modular design. The modular design allows you to change the pick, hammer, and adzes when they wear out. Some tools give you the option to use either a hammer or adze attachment. For alpine climbing, the tool has a straight shaft with a leash attached to the head. The purpose of a straight shaft is to allow the tool to be pounded down into snow as a secondary anchor. Never use an ice tool as the only anchor source.
Sections of an Ice Tool
- Pick. The pick section of the ice tool is usually flat and bent slightly in a downward direction and has serrated teeth on the bottom edge.
- Adze. The adze is for chopping steps in hard snow and ice. It is flat and wide in shape. An adze can be a separate tool, but for ice climbing it is usually the other end of the pick. It is useful to plant deep into snow for grip, where if the pick side were used it would slice too deep or not provide the same traction.
- Grip. The grip of an ice tool may have texture and have a molded shape. Most shafts are made of metal, therefore the grip also provides some insulation against the shaft.
- Shaft. The shaft of an ice tool varies depending on the use or type of climbing. Straight shafts are for alpine climbing since they are also used as temporary anchors. Bent shafts make the tool easier to swing and hold. Bent shafts work well on steep technical ice. The bent handle is more comfortable but some ice climbers may find the shape more difficult for dry tooling.
- Spike. The spike is on the handle end of the ice tool. The purpose of the spike is to give the climber a tool used for stability. To use the spike the climber grips the head of the too, and extends to shaft out to some ice formation. The spike on the handle end of the shaft contacts the ice surface and sticks. In some situations it can be very helpful for stability. Be cautious of the spike, it can cut or shred flesh and clothing in a fall.
- Leash. The leash locks onto your wrist so the ice tool cannot fall. It should be made of strong material. It is helpful to have an adjustable leash to accommodate varying glove sizes, and be long enough that you can grip the head of the axe in order to use the spike.
Ice Climbing Tools
 Black Diamond Reactor Ice ToolPrice: $189.95 Backcountry.com More... Black Diamond brings incredible leashless performance to pure ice routes with the Reactor Ice Tool. Its curved upper shaft clears ice bulges and cauliflowers with ease while the Black Diamond Laser pick provides excellent penetration in bullet-hard blue. The Reactor Ice Tool's TPU-coated, staggered bottom grip allows easy matching on both ice and mixed routes with minimal pick shift, and the mini-hammer is just big enough for pounding the occasional pin in a gear-protected line.  Grivel X Monster Ice ToolPrice: $149.95 Backcountry.com More... The Grivel X Monster is new-wave ice tool for climbers who want the advantages of leashless climbing without dropping their whole bank roll on gear. In contrast to the original Monster, which is a mixed-specific tool, the X Monster is designed primarily for ice climbing. Its multiple handle positions allow easy swinging, matching, and hooking on both ice and rock. The X Monster also has a hole in the shaft where you can clip a Grivel Liberty Leash if you'd rather be tethered to your tools than swing sans dragonnes. *Assorted colors.  Petzl Aztarex Ice ToolPrice: $199.00 Backcountry.com More... You have been looking everywhere for a tool that climbs ice well, has a usable shaft for mountaineering and is light enough that you won't notice on your pack during a ski tour. You have been looking for the Petzl Aztarex Ice Tool. At a scant 500g you will hardly notice it on your pack. A removable GripSwitch allows leashless use or can be stored in the shaft for a cleaner profile when plunging. The weight of the Aztarex is concentrated on the head to allow better penetration and the curved shaft makes hooking easy.  Grivel Alp Monster Ice ToolPrice: $134.95 Backcountry.com More... Building on the immense popularity of the Monster ice tools, Grivel took their design to the mountains with the Alp Monster Ice Tool. Using the same combination of a CrMo steel shaft and permanently attached hot-forged pick as the other Monster tools, this new Grivel creation is incredibly strong, weighs only 19.4oz, and is available in both 38cm and 44cm lengths. It can be used with a leash or leashless to meet your needs, whether you're using it as a third tool, as a tool for beginning ice climbers, or as a hammer to accompany your piolet up a cascade volcano. There are no rules for the Alp Monster, so make up your own.  Black Diamond Viper Ice ToolPrice: $229.95 Backcountry.com More... The Black Diamond Viper Ice Tool delivers cutting-edge performance for ice, mixed, and alpine climbing thanks to an extremely versatile design that works with or without leashes. In addition to a detachable Fang for leashless security, the Viper includes a Strike pommel that screws into one of two shaft positions and allows easy matching for a variety of hand and glove sizes. Black Diamond built this ice tool with a hydroform shaft to increase stiffness and clearance while reducing overall weight. The Viper Ice Tool comes with either a micro-hammer or micro-adze to give you alpine-ready performance while maintaining a low profile for ultra-technical climbing.  Grivel Matrix Light Ice ToolPrice: $184.95 Backcountry.com More... The Grivel Matrix Light Ice Tool's 18oz weight makes the cut as a ajust in casea second tool for mountaineering, and the hot-forged pick easily handles technical alpine pitches. A curved upper shaft gives this Grivel tool enough clearance to deal with ice bulges and mixed terrain without inhibiting its ability to plunge into hard snow on a summit ridge. The Matrix Light Ice Tool's X Monster head takes a serious beating without concern, and the micro hammer dishes out the beating when it's time to drive pickets for fixed ropes or crevasse rescue.  Grivel Matrix Tech Ice ToolPrice: $219.95 Backcountry.com More... Grivel's Matrix Tech Ice Tool tackles steep, technical ice and mixed alpine climbs with a highly curved shaft and leashless design. A large hole in the pommel provides a place to clip tethers, so you can get the full advantage of leashless climbing without risking a dropped tool from high on the face. Grivel's X Monster hot-forged pick withstands all the abuse that the mountains dish out on a set of tools. Best of all, the Matrix Tech Ice Tool puts smiles on the faces of all you ounce-counting alpinists out there with its low 20oz weight.  Grivel Quantum Tech Ice ToolPrice: $278.95 Backcountry.com More... Grivel constructed the Quantum Tech Ice Tool with a carbon composite shaft to decrease weight and reduce ice-shattering vibrations for more one-swing sticks. At only 18oz, the Quantum Tech makes other ice tools seem like they're made out of iron. Whether you take on a steep pitch of ice or attempt a large alpine face, the Quantum Tech Ice Tool stands up to the abuse with its burly hot-forged X Monster pick. A large pommel on the bottom of the grip lets you run leashless with this Grivel tool, and a clipping hole accepts your tethers, so you never have to watch the Quantum fall from 20 pitches up a mountain.  Black Diamond Cobra Ice ToolPrice: $335.95 Backcountry.com More... The Cobra Ice Tool has been at the cutting edge of ice and alpine climbing for years, but instead of sitting back on their laurels, Black Diamond decided to upgrade this tool for the next evolution. Keeping the same vibration dampening carbon fiber material, the Cobra Ice Tool takes on a new custom-molded shape that makes it stiffer than ever before for reduced flex and precise one-swing sticks. Black Diamond pre-tapped the handle and shaft to easily accept the included two-position leashless attachments, and you can add an Android leash for big rigs where you'd rather be clipped to your tools.  Black Diamond Fusion Ice ToolPrice: $279.95 Backcountry.com More... Made from a single piece of lightweight, hydroformed aluminum, the completely redesigned Black Diamond Fusion Ice Tool seamlessly transitions from steep mixed routes to alpine-style ascents in the big mountains. The revolutionary hydroformed shaft and leashless design adds stiffness and lowers weight, while the adjustable grip features three interchangeable spacers for dialing in fit. Black Diamond also added a removable spike for alpine terrain, and the included Fusion pick changes out in the field without tools.  Cassin X-Alp Ice ToolPrice: $199.95 Backcountry.com More... Get a handle on the Cassin X-Alp Ice Tool for long alpine outings where complex mixed terrain is all but guaranteed. This lightweight tool handles rock and ice with equal tenacity, and Cassin included a bi-directional leash keeps the axe secure on either hand. The interchangeable pick and hammer or adze lets you customize the tool for the task at hand.  Cassin X-Ice ToolPrice: $199.95 Backcountry.com More... Cassin gave the X-Ice Tool an ultra-curved shaft to easily clear bulges, mushrooms, and other steep ice gnarl to help make even the burliest routes feel like ladders. The pick features a thin cut for deep, easy penetration in bulletproof blue, and the aggressive pick angle makes hooking effortless and secure. Cassin added a bi-directional leash that supports downward and outward pull, so you get less pumped on the really steep stuff.  Cassin X-All Mountain Ice ToolPrice: $219.90 Backcountry.com More... Representing the next generation of mountaineering excellence, the Cassin X-All Mountain Ice Tool builds on its predecessors, the X-Dry, X-Ice, and X-Alp, and takes the tech to the next level. An aggressive shaft curve and an optimized pick angle help you tackle a wide variety of vertical features and surfaces.  C.A.M.P. X-Ice AxePrice: $249.95 CampSaver.com More... The master of ice. The perfect balance of the X-Ice gives it a fantastic swing and solid sticks. The aluminum head has a profiled cut out to cleanly accommodate a leash and a large opening for ice clippers. A dual-density grip with a ledge at the bottom is optimized for climbing with or without a leash - the hole in the spike is designed to accept lanyards.  Petzl Snowscopic Ice AxePrice: $154.95 CampSaver.com More... Combining a telescoping trekking pole and a fully-functioning ice axe, the SNOWSCOPIC is the only piece of equipment you'll need for trekking, approaches and easy snow climbs. Extend the bottom section for use as a handy trekking pole; shorten it when the going gets steeper. Stainless steel pick and adze is designed comfortable gripping. Equipped with a carbide tip.  Petzl Sum'Tec Ice AxePrice: $174.95 CampSaver.com More... Petzl's SUM'TEC is the logical evolution of the classic mountaineering axe, combining the qualities of a technical curved shaft and classic alpine function. The Sum'Tec has an adjustable hand rest and interchangeable pick. Lightweight and versatility are the hallmarks of this useful ice tool.  Petzl Snowalker Ice AxePrice: $89.95 CampSaver.com More... For glacier travel and snow slopes, the lightweight Petzl SNOWALKER is the axe to have. The stainless steel pick is designed for solid placements even in hard snow and ice. The wide adze chops steps efficiently and provides a comfortable weight-bearing surface. The anodized shaft is made of high quality, durable 7075 aluminum. Available in three sizes. RANDO leash included.  Petzl Summit Ice AxePrice: $158.95 CampSaver.com More... Petzl's SUMMIT ice axe is designed for the modern practice of classic mountaineering. A result of the expertise acquired over many years, this product applies a new technical approach to this category of ice axes. The curved shaft provides the necessary clearance on steep or icy terrain. The light, forged steel head attached to the shaft ensures maximum efficiency.  Black Diamond Venom Ice AxePrice: $149.95 CampSaver.com More... The ultimate hybrid axe for technical couloirs and rugged alpine terrain, the Black Diamond Venom bridges the gap between classic piolet and technical ice tool. The curved upper shaft provides added clearance during technical ice and snow sections, while the traditional spike makes for smooth plunging on the uphill. The dual-density grip and included Lockdown Leash increase security when things get dicey. Selected Ice Tools On Sale
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