Grivel G-14, Charlet Super 12, BD Mako ( ALL SOLD

[Don_Serl]

Old crampons, but maybe they're useful to a newbie or someone on a tight budget. I can send photos to interested parties.

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Grivel G-14 Crampons ( SOLD! )

Sturdy, versatile all-round crampons, at home in the mountains or on waterfall ice climbs. Crampomatic binding system requires rigid boots with good welts. Well used, but lots of life remaining. Set up as mono-points (for ice climbing), but double points, necessary bolts, and wrench included. One spare heel lever with strap, and two spare spiral toe bails, included. “Old” rubber anti-snow plates are perished, and need to be replaced. MEC retail CDN $ 219. CDN $ 40.

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Charlet Moser Super 12 Crampons (SOLD)

A decade or so ago, these were reputedly the best-selling crampon in the world, and they’re still a superb mountaineering tool. The crampons are tough and do not wear down quickly. The points are a well-compromised length and conformation. Equipped with wire toe bail and heel lever, they fit only to stiff boots with good welt depth. The Black Ice anti-snow system is old and perished and probably now unavailable – a homemade solution will need to be found once they fall to bits. CDN $ 20.

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Black Diamond Mako Rigid Ice Climbing Crampon ( SOLD! )

A good rigid crampon gives better control on waterfall ice than any and all flexible units. The Mako was Black Diamond’s attempt at a modern interpretation of the Foot Fang, and had some strong points (pun intended), together with numerous shortcomings. On the plus side, the rigid plate-and-rail construction coupled with a no-play binding system was ultra-secure, allowing great precision and total stability. And the points are tough and durable. On the negative side:

a. If the underside of the aluminum plate gets damp, it balls up badly. This can be combatted with wax.

b. The vertically-aligned rear frame also tends to ball up. There was never an anti-snow system available, but I installed a home-made fix consisting of light plastic zap-strapped into place.

c. The trident vertical front points were supposed to combine great penetration with high stability, but in my experience they tended to shatter the impacted ice. The secondary points could not be removed, so I simply reversed them – presto, they actually increase purchase while toeing onto knobs of ice.

d. As with the Foot Fangs, the toe and heel bails could fall out of the frame on approaches. Solution? Take care! (Plus there are two spare toe bails included…)

e. The metal and bolts rust. Many tough steels do – live with it! ( Oil helps…)

These crampons were recently on clearance at CDN $125. How about a trade for a 4-pack of Kilkenny?

 

Edited December 12, 2015 by Don_Serl

[Linnaeus]

PM sent on G14s.