Cheap OP Axes

Post by **Taco** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:06 am

Omega Pacific, under the ACME name: http://www.acmeclimbing.com/index.asp?P ... ProdID=103

$40 ain't bad. Negative clearance pick. Your average general mountaineering axe.

SkinnyFat · Post by **SkinnyFat** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:44 am

TDR -

That's the best deal I've seen on an ice axe thus far. Thanks for finding this.

AlanK · Post by **AlanK** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:01 am

Just be careful -- wasn't Acme the company that Wile E Coyote used for most of his purchases?

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:24 pm

The available lengths 60 and 65 cm are a wee bit short for general snow travel. Lengths 70cm to 80cm are better for hikers.

Jim

Post by **Taco** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:03 am

AlanK wrote:Just be careful -- wasn't Acme the company that Wile E Coyote used for most of his purchases?

These axes actually explode into powder if you hit rock.

Jim, true, for most stuff.

BTW, I own three Omega Pacific axes, and even though they're not fancy, they're not bad. not a fan of negative clearance picks, but for 90% of stuff (IE not piolet traction), they do the job.

KathyW · Post by **KathyW** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:48 am

Jim:

If you're 5'2" tall 60cm works great.

Kathy

simonov · Post by **simonov** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:16 pm

You can pry my vintage Italian teak-shafted Camp axe from my cold, dead fingers.

Post by **Taco** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:41 pm

You have no idea how much I want an old-school axe!

Travis · Post by **Travis** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:05 am

TacoDelRio wrote:You have no idea how much I want an old-school axe!

Check out ebay, they have loads of ice axes: Here is a vintage one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Stubai-Nang ... dZViewItem

He219 · Post by **He219** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:59 am

Nice Travis, look at the level of detail on this vintage model ...

Same model with original strap for $99

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:08 am

Nice! Looks like it's in good shape too.

Maybe I should post a photo of my old 70's A16 workhorse.

Post by **Taco** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:55 pm

Tom Frost still makes stuff:
http://frostworksclimbing.com/

Rick M · Post by **Rick M** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:27 pm

Outstanding...I have a brand new Chouinard shaft bamboo axe that I never got around to using that I can list on ebay instead of using it for gardening...never thought anything but metal shafted axes are used anymore.

Post by **Taco** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 12:03 am

What would you like for it? Got any photos?

Rick M · Post by **Rick M** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:08 pm

Hey Kathy, I'm 6'2" and I use a 60 cm axe too. Sometimes a bit short on not real steep stuff but hey, I don't need a walking stick on low angle snow (my first axe was 85cm)...dealers at that time said it should touch level ground from your hand. More like an alpinstock!

Anyway, with a shorter axe I can get into arrest position quicker and more effective and works a lot better on steep stuff. Fits on my pack better too. I do have a 70cm axe or two.

Taco, I just found my bamboo shaft axe, it's post Chouinard (after Black Diamond took over) and so unfortunately doesn't have Chounard stamped on it...talk about depreciation! It's now over my fireplace...home defense!

135driver · Post by **135driver** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:58 pm

Still using my ol 90's model Camp Axe. It's the ugly green one, saved me from a for sure broken leg on s.e. face of Cucamonga.

Post by **Taco** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:23 pm

That requires a photo.

kgw · Post by **kgw** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:39 am

He219 wrote:Nice Travis, look at the level of detail on this vintage model ...

Same model with original strap for $99

Man, that hurts! I had one of those back in the younger days, 35 years ago