gym_rat Posted October 20, 2002 Posted October 20, 2002 Say, despite my screen name, I am interested in starting to ice climb. I knowticed the BD Rages on Barrabes for $138. Anybody (everybody?) have an opinion on their performance for general ice, mixed, and alpine? Quote
Ibex Posted October 21, 2002 Posted October 21, 2002 And so I thought to myself.... Do you give them a fish, or teach them to fish...?  In the upper right corner of your screen there is a "search" hotlink that will allow you to search the posts on this board. This topic has been debated to death.  You asked a fair question, dont make the mistake in thinking that the answer is not already out there.  Cheers  Shawn Quote
Lambone Posted October 22, 2002 Posted October 22, 2002 The Rages are good tools homeslice. You couldn't go wrong for that price. For alpine stuff modify the pinki holder thing, i.e. saw it off. I like BD tools and the picks kick ass. go for it  [ 10-21-2002, 08:40 PM: Message edited by: Lambone ] Quote
Beck Posted October 22, 2002 Posted October 22, 2002 solid! Nice design- fixed head, replacable picks, eliminates one extra thing to fail on you. Quote
Lambone Posted October 22, 2002 Posted October 22, 2002 shit I always thought fixed-heads were the first thing to fail on me.... Quote
Beck Posted October 22, 2002 Posted October 22, 2002 Ya people are breaking fixed hammer heads all the time, I'd recomend staying away from this technology Quote
Ade Posted October 22, 2002 Posted October 22, 2002 Factor in another $30 for a hacksaw to "modify" them with and they might even make an alpine tool. Saw off the pinkie widget and the top of the pick so it doesn't dig into your hand when holding it in the cane position. Â Beware Cobra picks... they seem to snap a lot, I've not used them but can account for ten breakages between three people who have. For alpine use I have a set of Shrikes and really like the Alaska picks which work fine in the Rages, based on some brief testing at Baker last weekend. Quote
Lambone Posted October 22, 2002 Posted October 22, 2002 Â [ 10-21-2002, 11:20 PM: Message edited by: Lambone ] Quote
snoboy Posted October 22, 2002 Posted October 22, 2002 quote: Originally posted by David Parker: Broken picks = bad technique How about (bad technique) + (weak picks) = (broken picks) Â I'm not much of an ice climber, but a friend who is reports 3 broken cobra picks last winter versus 1 or 2 picks in the last 8... Quote
snoboy Posted October 22, 2002 Posted October 22, 2002 quote: Originally posted by Ade: Saw off the pinkie widget and the top of the pick so it doesn't dig into your hand when holding it in the cane position. Try to find an old Classic pick for them. Then you can use that with a hammer head for a wicked alpine tool when going up and over where there is more snow than ice. I think BD don't make them any more  While you've got the saw out look at how the wide part of the adze gets in the way too when your hand is on top. Quote
Cpt.Caveman Posted October 22, 2002 Posted October 22, 2002 Just by the euro brands. They're better Quote
allthumbs Posted October 22, 2002 Posted October 22, 2002 Agree. Euro is generally better. Bosch, for example in power tools. Quote
gym_rat Posted October 22, 2002 Author Posted October 22, 2002 I'm afraid of the charlet tools' aluminum heads. I read some reviews where people trashed them real fast, but they are a great value at Barrabes for $150 Quote
Cpt.Caveman Posted October 22, 2002 Posted October 22, 2002 get the grivels they've had the same friggin picks forever. Quote
gym_rat Posted October 22, 2002 Author Posted October 22, 2002 But what model? The alp wings seem to be the most versatile, with the machines being too techy and the rambo and geronimos being too non-techy. Quote
gym_rat Posted October 22, 2002 Author Posted October 22, 2002 But what model? The alp wings seem to be the most versatile, with the machines being too techy and the rambo and geronimos being too non-techy. Quote
gym_rat Posted October 22, 2002 Author Posted October 22, 2002 Do you have them? What are they like? Quote
Cpt.Caveman Posted October 22, 2002 Posted October 22, 2002 Same shit as my light machines in a lot of ways. Except the leash systems are different. Â I use em on 55-90 degree ice.. That pinky thing is never an issue... Â But hey I'm not a salesman. Quote
Scott_J Posted October 22, 2002 Posted October 22, 2002 Cap. Caveman and I argue 'till we are blue in the friggin' face about ice gear, but he is absolutely correct with recommending Grivels. They have not left the buyer holding his dick/or her crotch in his/her hand when they changed picks like BD and CM. The only thing I have seen BD come out with in the last few years that I like are their new crampons. Very similar to M-10's but without the big price tag for replacement parts. "Ice is nice and shall suffice"(B. Sumner) Quote
Cpt.Caveman Posted October 22, 2002 Posted October 22, 2002 Actually we argue until I either knock you over the head with a beer bottle or until you crack me on the noggin with a jug of coffee Quote
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