Grivel G1+ SA Ice Axe with Leash

I have used this tool for everything from glacier walking to steep ice routes. The head is comfortable to hold and it has a nice adze for digging and chopping. I typically enjoy curved shafted tools such as the Petzl Summit. However when carrying this one the curve offsets the balance and it just feels odd. A petty grievance, but I prefer my other straight shafted axe 99% of the time.

I don't own much from Grivel. But I bought this when other brands were sold out of my length...

I've used this on three peaks over 14k and am super happy with it as an alpine axe. The 74cm is about the longest you're going to find in an axe and that's good for me at 6'3". I found the head to be a comfortable hold, though cold as ice (duh). so i covered some essential spots with 3M electrical insulated tape to give it a bit of a more comfortable hold. I've had a BD axe and can't honestly tell the difference.



The adze is great for chopping a seat on a rest. The swing weight is nice for same such activity. Don't knock the benefit of chopping a seat. For those steep rest areas, it makes a much more restful stop.



The curved handle doesn't really seem to make much of a difference. if anything, it pulls the pick slightly out of the snow on self arrest when the spike is at your hip. But the ergonomics might make for a slightly nicer walking stick...



Strictly by price, it's not worth paying the extra $5 or $10, unless you count the leash, which is a nice freeby. I took the leash off on the mountain. But, if you need an axe you can't go wrong with this one.

great GM ax, have taken it all over. Its got a metal pick if you have to swing at something. The slight curve is for arresting and makes pick engagement faster. Feels great in the hand as well. Over all, much better than Al BD junk.

Alright, I don't own this axe but used it extensively for a week and know what I'm talkin about. First, I have huge hands and yet still thought the head was uncomfortable to hold. Big fan o' dat BD! second, the shape?! Yeah it's got that sex appeal. But compared to a Raven it doesnt arrest as well. A hybrid you say? nah man, I had to use this in a pinch on a WI3 pitch, and was pathetic. Either you get tools for snow, or straight axes in between. Don't dabble in the limbo in between.

A word of warning. This is the G1+ SA, and not what is pictured, see pic I uploaded. This axe more closely resembles the Nepal SA. It has a curved shaft and no grip. It is still a good axe. If you are looking for an ice axe with a grip, though, this is not what you are looking for.