tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post7374848425080507896..comments2024-03-16T10:11:19.302-07:00Comments on Cold Thistle: Ice tools... part twoDanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-21446953466342286722015-04-03T13:00:48.623-07:002015-04-03T13:00:48.623-07:00Hey Claude,
Too many versions/generations of the ...Hey Claude,<br /><br />Too many versions/generations of the Cobra to make a blanket recommendation. Nomics would seem to be a good deal @ $250 how ever and a hard tool to beat.<br /><br /> Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-64718471592534661022015-04-03T12:49:30.787-07:002015-04-03T12:49:30.787-07:00Hey Dane, appreciate all the work you've but i...Hey Dane, appreciate all the work you've but into this blog. It has been a great resource as I get into doing more and more alpine.<br /><br />I have a question: I've been looking for my first ice tools for alpine/easy mixed and have been offered two used pairs online, old cobras and old nomics for $140 and $250, respectively. I'm pretty excited because this seems to be a great deal assuming they're in decent quality. I was first interested in the Quark as it feels great to me in hand (as do the Nomics), but this is a pretty sweet deal.<br /><br />I am not so keen on hard ice at the moment, being more interested in alpine, but I'm young, have buddies who climb hard ice, and climb 5.12 rock... so my interests might change in time. Should I just buy both pairs? If not, does the Cobra deal sound worthwhile for my purpose of use? Long alpine routes with low-angle/vertical climbing? <br /><br />Cheers and thanks again for all your writing,<br />CClaudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06782623081571338597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-44264653776810252382015-01-28T12:00:50.709-08:002015-01-28T12:00:50.709-08:00Sam, short tools aren't appropriate for Rainie...Sam, short tools aren't appropriate for Rainier and the like. Fuel are decent technical tools. They are basically the Fusion with the improvements I suggested a couple of years ago.<br /><br />Viper, Cobra or Quark are better all around tools but you won't use them on Rainier either.Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-86322105789187079622015-01-27T11:42:44.927-08:002015-01-27T11:42:44.927-08:00Thank you so much for the info Dane! I also have ...Thank you so much for the info Dane! I also have access to the new BD Fuel ice tools. I apologize for the seemingly dumb questions...but being new to ice climbing, all the different items are a bit overwhelming. A number of people have complained about the lack of a hammer on them, and that seemed to discount them completely. What are your thoughts? I'm planning on climbing in NY in the Catskills, Gunks, and Adirondaks. But I'd like to climb out west in another 2-3 years (Ranier and such). Your thoughts on these 2 ice tools would be very much appreciated!Samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09170128864812221137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-57476176126424875252015-01-27T10:43:40.216-08:002015-01-27T10:43:40.216-08:00Sam, any of the tools currently available are ligh...Sam, any of the tools currently available are light years ahead of what I started climbing with. Some just make climbing easier than others. Models haven't really changed much in the last 4 years. <br /><br />I suggested the Viper because it was one of two tools the poster had access to. There are better tools IMO than the Viper. But the Viper is certainly "good enough".Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-32207634514893021502015-01-27T05:31:04.425-08:002015-01-27T05:31:04.425-08:00Hello Dane, I know this is coming a few years afte...Hello Dane, I know this is coming a few years after you posted. It was very informative. I'm new to ice climbing (but did some rock climbing many years ago) and have been picking up equipment as I was able to get it cheaply. I've spent many agonizing days wondering "am I getting good equipment?" I'm looking at the BD Vipers because I think they'll end up working for my needs (plus I think I can get them on a very good sale). I hope to be climbing all sorts of stuff as time goes on. But one question for you...in the bottom post you suggested the Vipers. Is this still the case 4 1/2 years laterSamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09170128864812221137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-17993288583011059682010-11-25T09:35:08.387-08:002010-11-25T09:35:08.387-08:00Greetings Shin-Yeong,
Your English is great. Way...Greetings Shin-Yeong,<br /><br />Your English is great. Way better than my Korean :)<br /><br />Both The Fusion and the Viper are excellent tools. Both can be used leashless and very work well.<br /><br />You'll want to climb leashless...easier, warmer and faster. <br /><br />My suggestion if your budget is tight is buy the cheapest tool of this bunch, Black Diamond, Cobra, Viper or Fusion with Petzl either the Quark or Nomic, old or new models. You really can't go wrong with any of them...if price is the issue just buy the one you can get the cheapest.<br /><br />All are great leashless tools.<br /><br />This will be your second season of ice. All the tools I listed climb exceptionally well on all terrain.<br /><br />We have a saying, "it isn't the arrow, it is the Indian". When it comes to the modern ice tools there really aren't any bad ones. After that it is up to the climber.<br /><br />If your only choices are Fusion and Viper. I would get the Fusion if you want to do a lot of hard mixed but not a lot of mtns and water fall ice. It will climb mtns and water fall ice but maybe not the best tool for that.<br /><br />The Viper (or Cobra) will climb any mtn in the world by any route and climb water fall ice easily. It will also work on hard mixed although the the Fusion or Nomic will generally make it easier. For your second season...unless you are climbing 5.11+ or harder rock .....I would suggest the Viper.<br /><br />If you have a lot of hard mixed climbing locally and are a very good rock climber the Fusion might be the better choice.<br /><br />Hope that helps.Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-4332408996241512902010-11-25T08:26:07.415-08:002010-11-25T08:26:07.415-08:00Hi dane. I'm shin-yeong
I live in korea (sout...Hi dane. I'm shin-yeong <br />I live in korea (south korea) <br />I found your blog during serching internet. actually I need something help about ice tools. Could you advice for me please? <br />I began ice-climbing last year. <br />At first I borrowed my partner's ice tools. but this year I want <br />buying my own ice tools.<br />I consider between BD fusion(new model) and viper ice tool. Because ice tool is one of most expensive climbing gear in korea(because tax), and I don't have enough money. So I have only one chance.<br />two models have diffrent style and I don't have enough information about that. unexpectedly many korean climbers are little indivisuality. They used almost same ice tool(petzl nomic or quark)<br />so I coundn't find reveiw or article about other ice tool.<br />Could you advice about ice tools choice between leashless and leashed? if you do for me. I will give one's thank to your kindness<br /><br />p.s : I'm really sorry about my english skill. I'm just restart english study a few month ago. if I have wrong sentense, grammer or spelling. please understand.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18373443690485945861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-56619700493237165382010-11-01T11:39:15.088-07:002010-11-01T11:39:15.088-07:00I think you're remiss in not including the Cas...I think you're remiss in not including the Cassin X-tools. The interchangeable grips, picks, and head parts makes them very versatile. Otherwise pretty similar to the rest you mentioned. Grivel X-tools are cheap but that's the only thing going for them.<br /><br />As for crampon fit, I've never been shy about taking a hammer to the toe bail while the boot is installed. A wee bit of banging can cure most problems.Clydehttp://clydesoles.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-19137895125023307522010-10-29T09:34:52.203-07:002010-10-29T09:34:52.203-07:00Grivel makes some amazing tools. If they were eas...Grivel makes some amazing tools. If they were easier to get a hold of here in the States I'd play with them more. My understanding is the X monster was designed as a inexpensive mixed climbing "monster". And it works well there. I saw a recent video of an pair of X Monster being used on the MacIntyre/Colton this fall. So they obviously climb well. My longest climbing partner has a pair and they see some use but nothing like what his Nomics do. The cost was $200 for the pair..hard to pass up at that price.<br /><br />I am not a fan of the flat 'spring" shaft personally or the head/pick attachment. Brillaint idea not the best execution IMO. Some of their other technical tools really rock I think. But the cash only goes so far when you are buying your own!<br /><br />Sorry, not a big help I suppose on the X Monster.Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08300760603627210620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940163880772720830.post-34954966888572620452010-10-29T08:45:14.291-07:002010-10-29T08:45:14.291-07:00I really enjoy your posts and have one question. H...I really enjoy your posts and have one question. Have you ever tried or looked at the Grivel XMonster? It's a very unique design and has a really attractive price. I've always liked Grivel but is this tool too good to be true?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com