Aztar

I've used these for climbing alpine ice couloirs and also some waterfall ice (WI2-3) and like them for softer conditions, since they are so light. You do need to develop a good wrist flick to set them, something that I'm always working on.

The leash is fine for most stuff, though takes a little getting used to - you have to twist your wrist up to get out of it.

There is enough clearance to pull bulges pretty handily. The spike and hand grip seems pretty utilitiarian. Have heard people say they don't think it would plunge in the snow well, but I don't know how useful a comment that is.

The hammer and adze are not interchangeable, so if you want to climb with two hammers, you are stuck with them - have to buy a whole tool if you need or want an adze.

The picks they come with are optimized for ice (3mm), but mixed picks are also available for torquing maneuves (4mm). Neither has beveled teeth, so cleaning them out of the ice can be a chore (this can be fixed with some filing).

For harder climbing in colder more brittle conditions I prefer the Quarks. However, the Aztar is a lightweight tool and I find it a little easier to peck placements in thin ice or hooking while mixed climbing. I've followed to about WI4- with them in plastic conditions.

The Aztar ice tools are good allrounder, they are light light and good to handle. These tools are perfect for classic North face routes with ice steps, for pure ice climbing routes i would prefer other tools.

I think these are great all around tools from anything with steep snow/ alpine ice up to moderate WI, which is what they were designed for. Very light and swing well. The tool, IMO is very well designed. I believe one of the reasons they may have went with the inablity to change out the hammer or adze is to keep things simple, reduce weight and lower the probablity of things breaking or coming loose, an advantage IMO in the alpine environment. For pure Ice climbing at difficult grades you will probably be looking at something more radical.

... with my pair. A very good choice for me as an intermediate climber.

rhyang nails it in his review--these are a great tool for moderate alpine ice climbing.

...on steep glacier routes and found it not only light and comfortable but also efficient. As mentioned by Rhyang, the large spike and hand grip make deep plunging in the snow a bit difficult.

I only do easier routes.....and Ive found these great. Not too bad a price, and well made.

If you only want to invest in just one ice tool for multiple purposes, I consider it an excellent choice: In conjunction with a regular ice axe for alpine climbing of medium difficulty, and, used as a pair, for medium to difficult alpine climbing. How they would perform on routes beyond difficult, I cannot say - haven't tried that yet - but I would most likely buy a different tool.

On a flat(tish) glacier, it's too short to use as a walking stick, as I can with my regular ice axe, and it's harder to plunge it into the snow.

It's great for ice climbing up to moderate difficulti (WI3), but if it gets harder, I prefer something like the Black Diamond Viper. With the Aztar, it takes more force to get a good placement in the ice with just one swing - although perhaps that's just my lack of technique - whereas with a heavier tool like the Viper, the weight really helps to drive it in easily every time. And in the end, it takes less effort to climb if every swing counts, even with a heavier tool.

I have yet to go on any serious Alpine Ice climb, but have tested these tools on steep ice for extra support and at least one minor ice climb. I also tested them on a tree near my home which they do the job to get me up. I love my Aztars! :-D