Hi folks,

I'm in the market for a new axe, something reasonably light and not too technical.

I've had a look around and I keep getting drawn back to the DMM Cirque and the Grivel Air Tech Evolution.

Anybody got one? Anything else I should take a look at?

I'm not planning on climbing any waterfall ice so something that will cope with the occasional bit of step cutting, self-arrest (God forbid) and leaning on would do.

Length-wise, it would need to be about 65cm or so.

All help greatly appreciated.

TIA

KD

both are good tools, if you want durable also consider black diamond raven/ravenpro
alternative for lighter weight is alloy headed units, strong enough for step cutting and arrest, look at camp for a start on this way fwd

I've got the DMM Cirque which is a good axe and will get you up Grade II/III ground if required.

Its pretty well made and cheaper than the Air Tech if memory serves. No problems with arrest and the curved shaft is great for plunging on angled slopes.

One downside with having a lighweight axe is that you're more reliant on your strength for things such as step cutting as there is less weight in the axe head. However most people don't tend to cut many steps these days so its not normally a problem

Grivel Munro works for me.

I'm going to assume my Grivel Munro works for me, too - why won't it bloody SNOW????

DMM Cirque was my choice, but there's not much to choose between that and the grivel.

DMM is made in the UK, don't know about others?

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm hitting the shops at the w/e so I'll keep an eye open, see what's available.

Cheers.

KD

Kev

One of the best selling axes on the market is the Grivel Munro - this is a great axe with the perfect pick angle for arresting and no rubber grip on the shaft which can stop you sinking the shaft in snow! It is a lightweight axe and with one of the better leashes I've seen and a bargain at about 40 quid in most retailers....

On a final note- when selecting an axe people are concerned about weight and want 'light weight' but in my experience you need a bit of weight behind an ice tool to get it to pierce the ice and the lighter axes I have used just bounce off!

Kev Ive got the air tech, I got it because walking axes spend most of thier time being carried and verl little time being used and I think its a nice axe but i havene had it long so not used it in anger.

Ok doke. I'll stick the Munro on my short list. Thanks for that.

Jules, you're right. My last axe spent more time on my back than it did in the snow, so I ebayed it :o)

I should've put lightweight in inverted commas btw. Or said "reasonably lightweight" ie something that doesn't feel like a dead weight when you're carrying it around all day.

Anyhoo, those nice people at Rock and Run sent me a £15 voucher the other day so that may well have a bearing on what I buy.

Thanks again for the input.

KD