Eliteclimb Raptor – Lightest Ice Tool made from Carbon

As I reviewed my ice climbing equipment with the idea of weight optimization, it occurred to me that significant weight could also be saved with the ice tool itself. Moreover, my old Petzl Ergo was a bit too aggressive for ice, and the AustriAlpin K.Ice.R was relatively heavy. So I looked at ice tools with carbon shafts. It was important to me that I could use head weights. In December 2021, I ordered the Raptor carbon ice tools from Eliteclimb in Poland. Here in this post, I want to introduce the ice tools and share my experiences.

Data

• Shaft made of carbon and Kevlar
• 50 cm long
• Special coating for grip
• Standard: EN 13089 (type 2)
• Weight: 402g

The Shaft

Handcrafted in Poland from a carbon and Kevlar composite, this tool saves a lot of weight.

And a stylish EliteClimb logo.   

The Grip Positions

Like every ice tool for steep ice, this shaft has two grips. I applied the grip tape myself.

The upper grip has a small notch for a bit more hold.

The primary grip comes with a fixed size. The surface has some traction, but I prefer grip tape.

Therefore, I wrapped the grip in grip tape. At the bottom, there’s a hole for leashes. I used paracord here so I can rest on the tool if needed.

I find the grip relatively thick. When I grasp it with an “open” hand, the knuckles face forward, not the finger bones. But more on that later in comparison with other tools.

The bottom spikes are glued in and provide grip on flat passages.

However, contact with the ice is more the exception when climbing.

The Pick

The pick has its own proprietary design and is therefore not compatible with products from other manufacturers. However, the holes for pick weights are compatible with Petzl pick weights.

A special feature here is the “beard” that protects the shaft at the top.

The pick is extremely sharp and pointed upon delivery.

It’s held in place by two screws.

Thanks to the two holes in the pick, Petzl head weights can also be mounted.

Even without head weight, the center of gravity is slightly higher.

Comparison with Other Ice Tools

This ultra-light ice tool is practically in a class of its own. However, I find a comparison with other tools interesting and certainly helpful in making a purchase decision. Here, first on the right is the EliteClimb ice tool and on the left the K.Ice.R from AustriAlpin. You can see that the AustriAlpin grip is a bit narrower.

Here’s a direct comparison with the grip of the Petzl Nomic. Again, it’s noticeable that the Petzl grip is narrower, while the Raptor’s grip is slightly longer.

Now for the curvature, or how aggressive the tool is. Here’s a comparison with the Petzl Nomic. You can see they’re quite similar in this respect. 

The EliteClimb ice tool is slightly longer and has a different curvature. However, the angle of the picks seems nearly identical when aligning the grips.

When aligning the picks, it appears that the Nomic is slightly more aggressive.

Conclusion

I have used the ice tool over several seasons for ice climbing up to WI5. This ice tool is almost unbeatable in terms of lightness, which is exactly its strength. I haven’t tried it for dry tooling.

The Curvature
The curvature is also very pleasant in ice, and with head weights, you can get a nice swing.

The Grip
In my opinion, it’s best to add grip tape. However, the grip is relatively small for my large hands and too tight with thick gloves. I also feel that the grip’s circumference is too large to hold efficiently—especially with gloves. As a result, climbing with these tools feels more strenuous on my forearms than with the Nomic, Ergo, or Ergonomic grip.

Swing Behavior
One clear difference compared to ice tools with an aluminum shaft is the vibration. Due to the lower weight, the swing feels different, and when placing the pick in the ice, the tool sounds different as well. It’s hard to describe… but these carbon tools sound more like a “brrrrr,” whereas, for example, the Petzl Nomic sounds more like a “flop.” It’s certainly also a matter of getting used to it – but you do notice the difference. When hooking, however, it’s not really noticeable.

Interchangeable Picks and Accessories
Since this is not a large manufacturer and the picks have their own hole pattern, replacements are not as easy to obtain. In addition to the manufacturer, there is also KUŹNIA SZPEJU in Poland offering replacement picks, which are not certified (You can find more information about the picks here).

Final Thoughts
After one season, I bought the Petzl Ergonomic, with which I perform better and more efficiently when ice climbing. Perhaps personal preferences play a role, but I simply can’t grip the Raptor handle as comfortably as I can with Petzl ice tools. Additionally, the low weight means there’s a bit less mass for efficient strikes. This means that I expend more energy gripping and swinging the tools than I theoretically save with the lighter equipment. I now see these ice tools as ideal only if you really need or want to save weight—perhaps for alpine tours with long approaches and descents and where steep ice isn’t prevalent.

I can’t say how they perform in heavy mixed climbing or dry tooling. In a review by Damian Granowski (2001) there are a few more opinions on this 😉 However, as you can see from the workmanship, a lot has changed over time.