Air Tech Racing
| Page Type | Gear Review |
|---|---|
| Object Title | Air Tech Racing |
| Manufacturer | Grivel |
| Page By | Diego Sahagún |
| Page Type | Apr 11, 2002 / Jan 25, 2007 |
| Object ID | 213 |
| Hits | 10591 |
| Vote |
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Reviews
Viewing: 1-8 of 8 |
Glencoe - Oct 3, 2002 10:54 pm - Voted 4/5
Untitled Review
This is a good tool for use blitzing easy alpine routes and for glacier travel. It is light as a feather yet has a strong steel head. The curved axe head is good for self arrest but not much else since it is so light and straight. The adze is slightly rounded to help it bite when trying to chop - but it's not much of a chopper, again due to it's light weight. However, considering it's intended usage these aren't real drawbacks.
The main drawback is the aluminium spiked tip. It is soft and if you will face rock and/or ice it will mangle up quickly. IMHO this is a design oversight as a steel spike would have added very little weight and made the axe much more durable and long lasting.
A nearly perfect axe for easy treks or fast and light challenges.
The main drawback is the aluminium spiked tip. It is soft and if you will face rock and/or ice it will mangle up quickly. IMHO this is a design oversight as a steel spike would have added very little weight and made the axe much more durable and long lasting.
A nearly perfect axe for easy treks or fast and light challenges.
ccoulson - Mar 21, 2003 4:29 pm - Voted 5/5
Untitled Review
Great axe if you don't know if you will need one. Super light! Adze is friendly on the hands while self belaying. Respectable swing balance considering the weight. The aluminum spike hasn't posed as a problem being too soft. Conviniently, it doesn't rip your gear. I prefer the soft spike to sharper ones like on BD tools.
Don't know if there is still steep snow on the aproach to your favorite alpine crag? Pack a short Air Tech.
Don't know if there is still steep snow on the aproach to your favorite alpine crag? Pack a short Air Tech.
noah - May 30, 2003 12:57 pm - Voted 4/5
Untitled Review
I tried it as a test in a throw up between it and the camp XLA 210. I founded it to be a good walking axe.
But in the end I went with the camp
1 the camp is lighter and that was my main buying point.
2 I wanted a 70cm shaft if possible.
But in the end I went with the camp
1 the camp is lighter and that was my main buying point.
2 I wanted a 70cm shaft if possible.
bbense - Aug 7, 2003 9:19 am - Voted 4/5
Untitled Review
Probably the lightest axe you can get with a full steel head. The big drawback is the shaft pick, it's just not sharp enough for really hard ice. However, the axe works really well in hard snow and having a steel pick is a real advantage in harder ice ( aluminum just doesn't penetrate). It's a great "just in case" axe, but the BD Raven Pro is as light with a better shaft pick. It gets lighter by having a much smaller head pick( which has it's own disadvantages). I wouldn't recommend
it as a general purpose axe, but if you often find yourself
leaving your axe at home to save weight, this is a good
backup.
it as a general purpose axe, but if you often find yourself
leaving your axe at home to save weight, this is a good
backup.
rhyang - Jan 23, 2007 6:47 am - Voted 5/5
Updated model
The newer model (as of last season) has a slightly curved shaft and a lightweight steel spike. I sold my BD Raven Pro and picked up one of these - I felt that the Grivel pick was far more solid and the adze a lot more utilitarian. I've used this axe on numerous trips up various peaks in California in all seasons.
The steel bits are chromoly, not stainless - tougher metal, but prone to superficial rusting in some cases. I just apply some wax bike lube afterwards if needed.
The steel bits are chromoly, not stainless - tougher metal, but prone to superficial rusting in some cases. I just apply some wax bike lube afterwards if needed.
fossana - Feb 3, 2008 8:03 pm - Voted 5/5
still my favorite
I've had this axe since ~1999, and it's still the one I take with me anytime I need one. It's served me well (saved my ass more than once).
alpinelight - Jun 13, 2009 1:54 pm - Voted 5/5
Love it
Super light. Hardly notice it on pack, but it there when you need it. Along with a Black Diamond slider leash, a great tool for general mountaineering. I have had mine since 2006.
Viewing: 1-8 of 8 |
Diego Sahagún - Apr 16, 2002 3:47 pm - Voted 5/5
Untitled Review