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Climbing Disciplines:
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Re: [vdotmatrix] BD Reactor Ice axes:
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kimgraves
Jun 22, 2007, 5:44 PM
Views: 1968
Registered: Jan 13, 2003
Posts: 1186
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vdotmatrix wrote: Interesting point about the BD tools. I don't like the swing either. I tried a couple of BD tools last season. I suppose it takes time to study the geometry of ANY tool and map out what kind of mechanical swing you need to picture in your mind, to make the pick precisely impact the target. I watched Bayard swing them so nicely in a video while he climbed at Cathedral. It looked like he got some good head velocity with the tool. I tried them at Arathusa Falls and kept bashing the front part of the pick on the ice so it would sometimes BOUNCE off the ice. I saw this happen again and again; people bashing the ice. Wrong swing trajectory. i suppose if i had the tool at home and mapped out the tool and practiced the swing in my living room, to get a feel for trajectory and force, i or anyone , would adapt to any tool.
I think the BD axes, like the Chouinard pin hammer they descend from, have the balance of a heavy framing hammer. (Remember, Chouinard was a blacksmith.) If you've swung a hammer all day doing construction, you come to appreciate the efficiency of weight in the head. But they can be difficult to control, especially with your non-dominate hand, if you're not practiced. It takes a lot of practice to make precise swings - to control the weight - to give that little flick of your wrist at the end of the swing to set the tool precisely.
My partner Matt and I, when we went to buy tools, went and picked up everything we could find. Matt and I have done carpentry for 25 years each. The BD Vipers were the only tools that felt like the tools we were used to on the job-site. Coupled with a Fang and we've used them leash-less last season.
That said, we climb with a couple of people who are much better ice climbers than we are and they prefer other tools (Quarks, etc). But to us, those other tools feel like mush in our hand. In other words it's all about what works for you.
Best, Kim
(This post was edited by kimgraves on Jun 22, 2007, 5:47 PM)
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Post edited by kimgraves
() on Jun 22, 2007, 5:47 PM
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