Is grivel a good brand?

The brand had reached an elite status within the mountaineering and climbing communities. By producing reliable hardware and innovative equipment, Grivel remained a core brand with a strong reputation for success.

Where are Grivel ice axes made?

Italy
All the personal safety products, ice axes, crampons, pitons, helmets are produced in Italy. The company has been certified GS TUF since 1992, ISO 9001 since 1996, ISO 1400 since 2004.

What is a B rated ice axe?

There are two basic types of ice axe: those with a B rating and those with a T rating. These ratings tell you the strength of the axe and are based on tests on the shaft and pick. B rated axes are fine for hillwalking and general mountaineering.

How much does a titanium ice axe cost?

This is one of the better performing and lightest ice axes, which makes it a good choice for most climbers. It’s biggest downside is the $240 price tag. The titanium is a little softer than steel but more durable than aluminum.

Where is grivel based?

Grivel has been a leader in the development and production of technical mountain equipment for over 200 years. It was born in 1818 with the Grivel blacksmiths on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc, where it is still based today.

Is Metolius a good brand?

Durable, reliable, and made in the good ol’ US of A, the Metolius Ultralight Master Cam are the best value you will find for finger-sized camming units. They have a more flexible stem than the Camalots and are available in larger sizes than the Aliens.

When was ice AXE invented?

1840
The ice axe was born around 1840 by combining these two components: the tool had to be especially suitable for cutting steps to make up for the lack of the technique of using crampons (which had not yet been invented!).

Who invented crampons?

The invention of the modern ice cleats for mountaineering — also known as crampons — is often attributed to two men, British mountaineer Oscar Eckenstein and Italian blacksmith Laurent Grivel, who worked together to create and market a 12-pointed crampon in 1932 that revolutionized mountain climbing.

Can an ice axe be too long?

Length. While it is decreasing with time all too often, we see people with ice axes that are too long for them. Axes that are too long (relative to a person’s height) present a problem; however, running a little on the shorter side is rarely, if ever, a big deal.

How tall should my ice axe be?

The trick to figuring out which length axe you need for mountaineering is to stand up straight and hold the axe by its head. If the spike falls below your ankle, then the axe is too long for you. Ideally, the spike should be somewhere between the bottom half of your calf and the top of your ankle.

What are ice picks used for?

An ice pick is a tool used to break up, pick at, or chip at ice. In shape it resembles a scratch awl for wood. Before modern refrigerators, ice picks were a ubiquitous household tool used for separating and shaping the blocks of ice used in iceboxes.

Where are Metolius products made?

5. Every cam is 100% made in the US. Metolius cams are hand built, inspected and individually proof tested in Bend, Oregon.