Home > Ice Axes & Crampons   Petzl Aztar Post a Review Reviews Views Date of last review 4 7517 Tue Jan 11, 2005 Recommended By Average Price Average Rating 100% of reviewers None indicated 8.3 Description: Buy it at the Mountaineer. A technical axe for use in alpine or ice climbing. Hammer head for ice screwing. Placement efficiency: *thin pick, forged specifically for hard ice *steep angled first tooth for thin ice and small edges Better placements and hooking due to a curved top shaft. Thin handle ensures an excellent grip with elastomer for insulation. Good penetration of the shaft for hard snow: straight bottom shaft (walking axe, dead man). Fixed head allowing for a lighter tool. Equipped with FREELOCK leash, which is tightened and loosened with a simple rotation of the wrist. Technical specifications: Comes with Freelock leash Comes with Blue Ice pick Weight: 1 lb 5 oz

Author Post a Reply  hielochica Mighty Mouse Registered: Mon Nov 1, 2004 Posts: 206 Review Date: Sun Nov 14, 2004 Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 9    Pros: light, but still effective Cons: ??? I am a new climber, so I don’t have a ton to compare to, but I really like these tools. I learned on the Quarks , and an old grivel model, and found them both heavy and hard to wield. These feel much lighter and are easier to swing accurately. I am pretty small, so if you are particularly big and strong this might not apply, but if you have found other tools awkward and heavy give these a try. Mojojojo member Registered: Wed Nov 10, 2004 Posts: 6 Review Date: Mon Nov 15, 2004 Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 7    Pros: light weight, good for alpine Cons: I tried them last winter at Keene Mountain fest. I thought they would be good cause there light. But then I was swinging them 2, 3 times more to get a good purchase. I thought they were marginal, didn't go into ice that easily, unless you really modify the picks...The leashes was awkward for leading- really hard to release from the leash, atleast for me. I could see this being good for alpine climbs but for veritcal I'd go other tools. I owned the quarks , and its night and day as compared. But overall, I thinks it a good tool for someone who wants lightweight alpine, and dont want to sacrifice performance. Good for its class. jim member Registered: Tue Nov 23, 2004 Posts: 3 Review Date: Wed Nov 24, 2004 Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 9    Pros: light with good sticks Cons: leashes Last season was my first ice season. I had the opportunity to try some cobras and quarks. The cobras hammered my little fingers hard against the ice. (user error?) The quarks were awesome. I was able to get a really good deal on the aztars and I absolutely love them. My seasoned partners tried them as well and they were equally impressed. My experience is that they stick very well and are light to carry. The leashes were a bit hard to get in and out of. Their performance didn't stop on the ice as they held their own on the mixed routes as well. Over all, the performance was great and the comfort was just as good. mcfrank green horn Registered: Sun Dec 5, 2004 Posts: 10 Review Date: Tue Jan 11, 2005 Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 8    Pros: Very light, but good sticks for the weight Cons: Leash requires a good stick to escape, pick is a little hard to clean These are the first pair of technical tools I've owned (always borrowed from friends) and overall I'm very happy with them. If I were leading steeper stuff I'd buy the clipper leashes and modify the picks a little more so they clean easier, but it's really a pleasure swinging such a light tool and still getting good sticks.

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