Gear Review: Grivel Force Carbon

Alpinist Magazine published a gear review for the Grivel Force Carbon, one of Grivel's new ice tools made specifically for competitive mixed climbing and drytooling.
Read the full review here:
http://www.alpinist.com/doc/web13w/ms-grivel-force-carbon-ice-tool-review

Review Summary:

• "Based solely on mixed climbing performance, I would give this axe five stars without hesitation."
• "This shape greatly reduces any pick shifting, especially when switching hands, creating an incredibly stable axe."
• "The design also increases the overall reach of the axe (two centimeters more than the Nomic), which is surprisingly noticeable when climbing harder routes that involve big moves."
• "At 19.8oz, it's one of the lightest axes out there."
• "Pulling and torquing on the tools in every possible direction for 150 pitches, I have yet to chip the finish. They were even dropped from about 10m without consequence. The carbon material also gives the Force incredible stiffness. I never once felt any flex like I have using some aluminum tools, and at 180lbs, I'm not the lightest climber out there."

Product Specs and Features:

Created for the modern drytooler and competition climber where the route is more rock than ice, the Force is the ultimate in hooking and drytooling performance. The Force’s shaft angle allows matching or changing grip anywhere on the shaft without the pick shifting. Reparto Course axes are hand-made in Italy and therefore sold only in precision matched pairs.

• Weight: 560 grams (19.8 oz)
• Pick: 4.1mm of micro-forged steel
• Material: Carbon Force one piece carbon fiber

Reparto Corse

For nearly 200 years Grivel has led the development of ice climbing equipment but that is not enough for Grivel. With all the recent changes in mixed climbing, competition and rising performance standards, Grivel has created a new department. A real Laboratory for Development where they can explore the possible and beyond. Rapid changes in materials, styles and design lead to creation of the Grivel Reparto Corse (Grivel’s Racing Development) to add further innovation to Grivel’s rich legacy of standard setting equipment.