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Reviews by sharpie (11)

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Americana Ice Screw Average Rating = 3.75/5 Average Rating : 3.75/5

In: Gear: Alpine & Ice Climbing: Ice Protection

Review 4 out of 5 stars

Review by: sharpie, 2005-01-04


I have one and it's a nice screw, same tube as the 360 with the aggresive bevel teeth and reverse threads, and even easier to start with the knob. But, the problem is, unlike the 360 where you never have to clear any ice because of the minimal footprint, with the Americana you have to either find a perfectly flat area or clear an area about 10-12 inches in diameter to allow the fold out handle to be useful. Once that is done however, it zips in with the expected ease of a Grivel screw.

Problem #2 comes in the clean up. The fold out handle only works in one direction, drive. So, for the second they are essentially cleaning a hanger only screw (no speed device). Not really a big deal, this is the way all screws were cleaned just a few years ago. But, if you climb with new people who have never used/cleaned an old style screw, it might take a little longer.

It does rack better than the 360, but because of the knob, it still will not sit as well as BDs or others when there are multiple screws racked on one biner.

That said, I like having one, but that's as many as I'll ever have.


360° Ultimate (Manufacturer link) Average Rating = 4.44/5 Average Rating : 4.44/5

In: Gear: Alpine & Ice Climbing: Ice Protection

Review 5 out of 5 stars

Review by: sharpie, 2004-12-15


Best screw on the market, hands down. Bites instantly in nearly any knid of ice. Racking is not as clean as traditional hanger screws, but it's not that bad, and the small bent hanger means you never need to worry about cleaning ice around your placement to get the screw to seat.


Sabertooth (Manufacturer link) Average Rating = 4.43/5 Average Rating : 4.43/5

In: Gear: Alpine & Ice Climbing: Crampons

Review 5 out of 5 stars

Review by: sharpie, 2004-05-24


Good, solid, all-round mountaineering crampons. Mine have taken pleanty of abuse over the past few years and they still perform as new.


Turbo express Ice screw (Manufacturer link) Average Rating = 3.92/5 Average Rating : 3.92/5

In: Gear: Alpine & Ice Climbing: Ice Protection

Review 4 out of 5 stars

Review by: sharpie, 2004-05-24


Good screws with a heafty price tag.


Omega Tactical Ice Screw (Manufacturer link) Average Rating = 1.33/5 Average Rating : 1.33/5

In: Gear: Alpine & Ice Climbing: Ice Protection

Review 1 out of 5 stars

Review by: sharpie, 2004-05-24


These screws suck, for $12 more get BDs.

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