- \n
- Shaft made of carbon and Kevlar<\/li>\n
- 50 cm long<\/li>\n
- Special coating for grip<\/li>\n
- Standard: EN 13089 (type 2)<\/li>\n
- Weight: 402g<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ripperkon.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/ON_9919.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Shaft<\/h2>\n
Handcrafted in Poland from a carbon and Kevlar composite, this tool saves a lot of weight.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ripperkon.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/ON_4036.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAnd a stylish EliteClimb logo.
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ripperkon.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/ON_4032.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Grip Positions<\/h2>\n
Like every ice tool for steep ice, this shaft has two grips. I applied the grip tape myself.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ripperkon.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/ON_4034.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe upper grip has a small notch for a bit more hold.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ripperkon.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/ON_4027.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe primary grip comes with a fixed size. The surface has some traction, but I prefer grip tape.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ripperkon.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/ON_9920.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTherefore, I wrapped the grip in grip tape. At the bottom, there\u2019s a hole for leashes. I used paracord here so I can rest on the tool if needed.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ripperkon.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/ON_4028.jpg\")
<\/p>\nI find the grip relatively thick. When I grasp it with an \u201copen\u201d hand, the knuckles face forward, not the finger bones. But more on that later in comparison with other tools.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ripperkon.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/ON_4029.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe bottom spikes are glued in and provide grip on flat passages.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ripperkon.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/ON_4024.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHowever, contact with the ice is more the exception when climbing.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ripperkon.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/ON_4021.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Pick<\/h2>\n
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.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ripperkon.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_9506.jpg\")
<\/p>\nA special feature here is the “beard” that protects the shaft at the top.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ripperkon.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/ON_9930.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe pick is extremely sharp and pointed upon delivery.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ripperkon.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/ON_9931.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIt\u2019s held in place by two screws.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ripperkon.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/ON_4025.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThanks to the two holes in the pick, Petzl head weights can also be mounted.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ripperkon.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/ON_4026.jpg\")
<\/p>\nEven without head weight, the center of gravity is slightly higher.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ripperkon.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/ON_9924.jpg\")
<\/p>\nComparison with Other Ice Tools<\/h2>\n
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.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ripperkon.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/ON_4031.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHere\u2019s a direct comparison with the grip of the Petzl Nomic. Again, it\u2019s noticeable that the Petzl grip is narrower, while the Raptor\u2019s grip is slightly longer.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ripperkon.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/ON_4038.jpg\")
<\/p>\nNow for the curvature, or how aggressive the tool is. Here\u2019s a comparison with the Petzl Nomic. You can see they\u2019re quite similar in this respect.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ripperkon.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/ON_4043.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe EliteClimb ice tool is slightly longer and has a different curvature. However, the angle of the picks seems nearly identical when aligning the grips.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ripperkon.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/ON_4042.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhen aligning the picks, it appears that the Nomic is slightly more aggressive.
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ripperkon.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/ON_4041.jpg\")
<\/p>\nConclusion<\/h2>\n
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\u2019t tried it for dry tooling.<\/p>\n
The Curvature<\/strong>
\nThe curvature is also very pleasant in ice, and with head weights, you can get a nice swing.<\/p>\nThe Grip<\/strong>
\nIn my opinion, it\u2019s 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\u2019s circumference is too large to hold efficiently\u2014especially with gloves. As a result, climbing with these tools feels more strenuous on my forearms than with the Nomic, Ergo, or Ergonomic grip.<\/p>\nSwing Behavior<\/strong>
\nOne 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\u2019s hard to describe\u2026 but these carbon tools sound more like a \u201cbrrrrr,\u201d whereas, for example, the Petzl Nomic sounds more like a \u201cflop.\u201d It\u2019s certainly also a matter of getting used to it \u2013 but you do notice the difference. When hooking, however, it\u2019s not really noticeable.<\/p>\nInterchangeable Picks and Accessories<\/strong>
\nSince 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 KU\u0179NIA SZPEJU in Poland offering replacement picks, which are not certified (You can find more information about the picks here<\/a>).<\/p>\nFinal Thoughts<\/strong>
\nAfter 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\u2019t grip the Raptor handle as comfortably as I can with Petzl ice tools. Additionally, the low weight means there\u2019s 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\u2014perhaps for alpine tours with long approaches and descents and where steep ice isn\u2019t prevalent.<\/p>\nI can\u2019t say how they perform in heavy mixed climbing or dry tooling. In a review by Damian Granowski (2001)<\/a> there are a few more opinions on this \ud83d\ude09 However, as you can see from the workmanship, a lot has changed over time.<\/p>\n