This grip was originally designed and made by Paul Ramer of Ramer Mountaineering some 25 years ago. They were what we used for all of our ski mountaineering exploits. Despite numerous steep falls, these grips always helped me stay alive. They are, however, not certified as an ice axe suitable for use in self-arrest. If you can not afford the Black Diamond Whippet, these are the next best thing.

The Guide Claw was what we used 25 years ago, originally designed and made by Paul Ramer. They are an excellent devise for self-arrest use should you slip and fall, but not certified as such. If you can not afford the Black Diamond Whippet, this is an excellent choice.

I haven't had a chance to use the item for a few reasons; all relevant to the product:
1) I ripped a rotator cuff in the accident that motivated me to get two claws;
2) I had to wait a month to get a spare bottom from Garmont (who now owns lif-link). Garmont service has been good, for a small company; and
3) inherently these are used for self-arrest, which you would like not to do.

An important point to realize: Typical life-link poles have one female bottom section, which receives a bolt, and one male section, topped by a bolt. These must, respectively, mate with male and female locking mechanisms inside the upper section of the pole. The claw handles are made only in the female variery; so if you want to have two claw poles -- as many BC skiers do -- you have to have two male bottoms. The normal process of heating up the handle in hot water -- do you can pull it off and change the gender of the locking mechanisms -- doesn't work with the massive plastic of the claw.

Otherwise, the locking mechanism seems very good, in the ovalized upper section of the poles. Unlike a whippet, the idea is that you can fall on the claws without changing your grip. I'll try that on hard snow soon.