Ice Tool advice

[high_on_rock]

Perhaps this should be in the newbee section, but I am looking for advice as to which ice tools to buy. I dabble at Ice, climbing maybe twice a year, but would like to hit the ice a little more this year. I am a cheap bastard, and have for years been playing with some antique Chouinards, but am tempted to spend some money this year.

 

What would be a great, “affordable”, low maintenance pair of ice tools for a moderate climbing old fat guy? Or should I stick with my antiques?

[catbirdseat]

Gosh, almost anything you were to buy today would be a vast improvment over what you have.

[high_on_rock]

I hear ya CBS, but based upon my pattern it will be another 30 years before I update again. So I need something to take me into about year 2036, so I wanted to put some research into the decision.

[catbirdseat]

Fred is that you? You'll be 113 years old in 2036.

[powderhound]

Dmm Fly is pretty cheap and it is a great tool.

[fenderfour]

You can find a lot of used tools cheap on E-bay thanks to the new Fusions and the Nomics. A lot of folks are jumping ship.

 

Unfortunately, ice tools are pretty personal items. You need to swing them into ice in order to make a decision. Before I bought, I thought I would be getting Cobra's or Vipers. After I had a chance to use a bunch of tools I bought Grivel Tech Wings. They fit the way I wanted to swing an ice tool the best.

 

It sounds wierd but it's true. You can't go wrong with tools like Petzl Quarks or BD Vipers, but you might be happier with something else.