Ice Axe vs Zombies/Badguys....don't laugh.

S

Sonny

Joined
Sep 12, 2002
Messages
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I don't know where to put this post...I was thinking whine&cheese, but then I realized I'm somewhat serious.

I just watched the UK horror/thriller movie, "The Descent."

Basically two of the six women that survive used ice axes (in an iceless cave) to successfully fight off savage man-eating wall-crawling bat-faced cro-magnon ghouls.

When I told my English friend in the UK about the movie and mentioned the wall-crawling savages...he said, "Oh you mean the Scottish?"...to which I just shook my head.

Anyway as ridiculous as the premise sounds, IMHO, this movie is one of the best horror-thrillers I have ever seen...and I hate most horror movies.

In all serioiusness, I always had it in mind to one day pick up ice-climbing, and/or rock-climbing.

But I would never go into a cave just to expose myself to: bears, killer centipedes, toxic bat shit, cave-ins, big-foot, ancient savage killer cave-men, the dark + holes in the ground, and killer rabbits

So now I want an Ice Axe....any recommendations? any climbers here?

Thanks:D
 
Good film :thumbup:

Although set in North America, it was actually filmed in Scotland, driving on the wrong side of the road and all.

I don't mind going into caves so long as there is a gift shop at the exit. :D

Andy
 
basic question:
climbing axe, or walking axe?

climbing axes are normally shorter, have a downward angled pick, and often have a curved shaft which helps you: A) stick the pick further in the ice and B) keep your knuckles away from the ice.
oh, and you usually use them in pairs......

walking axes are longer, have a pick at right angles, and a straight shaft. against zombies, I imagine these are what you want, as they would give you more reach. but they are more a winter walking accessory than a climbing one.

either way, grivel seems pretty popular over here in the UK, and for climbing axes black diamond also seem to make some decent ones.

either way, I'm thinking that you could probably find far better anti-zombie weponary. ice axes are deliberately designed to stick into stuff (to keep you where you are) and so you could well end up with an axe that's stuck in the zombies brain case, and several more closing in........

disclaimer: while I have taken part in snow/ice based activities involving both walking and climbing ice axes, I am by no means an expert. this informtation is mostly gathered from observation of more experienced climbers/mountineers who where in the same group.
 
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I've been a rock/ice climber for quite some time now,and I must say that an ice axe can be hard enough to pull out of the ice after you have placed it there-I've never run into zombies while out on the ice(maybe they hate the cold:rolleyes:)but I would guess that it would be very difficult to pull out of an opponent.I have however run into a few climbers in my day that I wouldn't mind planting an ice axe into...but that's a whole other scenario:D
 
So, lets see...

After watching a fictional film about creatures which don't exist, you feel the need to equip yourself with an axe with which to defend against the fictional creatures which don't exist! :confused:

With the money you save by not buying an axe, take a visit to your local mental health unit...
 
An ice axe is always part of my zombie survival kit :D

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Nah, in all seriousness, I love to joke around about using an ice axe in case of zombie apocalypse, but as others have said, it's actually a pretty bad idea. My fiance and I carry ours for hiking/mountaineering in the winter in treacherous terrain, but have thankfully never had the need to use them. An ice axe is a great tool for self arrest if you're sliding uncontrolled down a snow slope, or doing technical climbing in the mountains, but would be a lousy self defense tool
 
LOL!

You guys are all awesome! Great advice and thanks a bunch for humoring me and not laughing at this...much. lol.:o

Hm, I think I will buy a pair of climbing ice axes for their sticking properties like phaser, shawnfu, and mustard suggested. I'm leaning more toward the climbing ice axe types because I really like the design features phaser mentioned.

...And for a more embarrassing reason (ridiculous) it seems these types of ice axes appear more in movies where it is used as an improvised weapon. (ie. the killer used one against Kate Beckinsale in "White Out"...but I only wanted one after seeing "The Descent"...again please don't laugh lol.)

Meanwhile I've been also looking at various ice axe reviews to get more info...though while I'm more serious about wanting to take up ice climbing, none of them talked about zombie slaying lol. :p

Will a walking ice axe serve as a climbing ice axe as well?

I was also wondering what brand model of climbing ice axes from Black Diamond, Grivel, or others is the best in terms of safety, quality, durability, and reliability. I weigh 170lbs if that helps. And budget is capped at $1000.00 usd for 2 axes. (model numbers most greatly appreciated!):thumbup:

And in all seriousness for the real bad news types in all forms and sizes, I do have some realistic protection: rat waki (preordered sep09, received in dec09 Eric is the man!), mossberg 12ga persuader, ar15 build (bushmaster lower + dpms upper 5.56), glock 29 10mm, sig229 .357sig, and tons of other knives I probably didn't need to buy.

Mustard, lol I love the set up! Especially those ice axes!!!!!!!!!!!! Are those walking or climbing types? Soon my life will be complete too...very soon. :D
 
Ice climbing axes are too short for just walking along, but I've used mine on semi-technical mountaineering in addition to a true mountaineering axe. If you have a grand to spend, you can get pretty much anything on the market right now, especially if you look on the secondary market. Check out www.mec.ca on the gear swap page.
 
Ah I see flipe8, thanks for the link.

Do you guys know of any custom ice axe makers?

Oh and fyi for any other first time ice axe buyers like me, heres a pretty cool site I found that lists reviews for multiple ice axe models for Petzl, Black Diamond, and Grivel!

http://www.supertopo.com/reviews/gear.php?cat=1219

It seems buying the most expensive doesn't equate to best quality/safety/durability/ease of use.

And here's a really quick but informative buying advice page on what type of ice axe materials to invest in ie. steel/alum/titanium, modular vs non, curve types, etc:

http://www.supertopo.com/a/Ice-Axe-Buying-Advice/a10557n.html
 
If you're more interested in a weapon, or a custom, there is the item called (in Hungarian) a Valaska, sort of a light hatchet on a long shaft, doubling as a walking stick. Used to be a fairly common implement in Europe throughout the middle ages. I've got a copy of Agricola's De Rei Metallica that shows some in the woodcuts. Looks like a handy implement for light hiking, if not for serious mountaineering.
 
SGP said:
If you're more interested in a weapon, or a custom, there is the item called (in Hungarian) a Valaska, sort of a light hatchet on a long shaft, doubling as a walking stick. Used to be a fairly common implement in Europe throughout the middle ages. I've got a copy of Agricola's De Rei Metallica that shows some in the woodcuts. Looks like a handy implement for light hiking, if not for serious mountaineering.
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Also known as "fokos" or in Polish as "ciupaga". TOPS now has their HAWKIN' STICK.
 
I just started getting into climbing last year. I plan to progress into mixed climbing (rock, ice, mountain) once I am proficient enough to be reasonably safe. Haven't gotten any ice axes or tools yet. Petzl and Black Diamond are the two most popular brands. Ice climbing tools are shorter than are mountaineering tools but you might be able to compromise. The supertopo reviews you linked to are good. You might also try the gear forum at rockclimbing.com. As far as I weapon goes, I wouldn't want to be hit with one or have one dropped on my head but you could do much better for s/d. Like a previous poster said they are designed to hit and stick. -DT

BTW, if you are serious about getting into climbing, you should also check out the accident & incident analysis forum on rockclimbing.com. It can be very sobering. Accidents are often catastrophic and many times fatal. Sometimes they fall from 12 feet and sometimes 3000 feet. 3000 feet would give you a little time to think about it. In heavily trafficked areas you could be climbing and just hear a prolonged scream and/or a thud. If you do get into it, stay well within your limits and be safe.
 
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i loved that movie and did notice at my rental store the other day part 2 is coming out.:thumbup:
 
I would think a tactical hawk of some sort would be a better solution for the undead. dunno....
 
Sonny said:
Will a walking ice axe serve as a climbing ice axe as well?

I was also wondering what brand model of climbing ice axes from Black Diamond, Grivel, or others is the best in terms of safety, quality, durability, and reliability.
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a walking axe can serve as a climbing axe, but I wouldn't suggest it for anything other than easy routes. as climbing axes are used in a pair, you'll end up without a hammer, as that feature isn't found on walking axes.

climbing gear from any reputable manufacturer tends to be pretty much the same saftey wise, and quality also tends to be pretty high, due to the serious concequences that could arise if the gear isn't made right. same for reliablity. most of the differences are down to personal preference, intended use (mainly difficulty of climb) and fancy bits like lower weights, interchangeable heads, accessories, and other stuff that is not neccecary, but might be desireable depending on what you want out of the kit.
 
phaserrifle said:
a walking axe can serve as a climbing axe, but I wouldn't suggest it for anything other than easy routes. as climbing axes are used in a pair, you'll end up without a hammer, as that feature isn't found on walking axes.

climbing gear from any reputable manufacturer tends to be pretty much the same saftey wise, and quality also tends to be pretty high, due to the serious concequences that could arise if the gear isn't made right. same for reliablity. most of the differences are down to personal preference, intended use (mainly difficulty of climb) and fancy bits like lower weights, interchangeable heads, accessories, and other stuff that is not neccecary, but might be desireable depending on what you want out of the kit.
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Phaser,
Ahh yep, from all the reviews I've been reading, I'm slowly realizing that as well. As for the hammer feature, how important is it?...I'm guessing very important for the ice-screws right? Gadgets and tools make Sonny a happy man!:thumbup:

Esav,
I was wondering, can the Hawkin' Stick also be used as a climbing tool as well? It looks very nice, but from what I read in the description, it mainly mentioned self-defense/walking aid, but no mountaineering or ice climbing functions. Just wanted to make sure, thanks!

Dttomcat,
:eek::eek: Awwwwww man just thinking about the "prolonged scream + thud" made me sick to my stomach just now... But thanks for the rockclimbing site! Thinks, "Don't die, don't die, don't die, don't die." :o

not2sharp,
The grivel ice axe looks so sexy lol, I'm hopeless.:o

Thanks everyone,
And just to point out that I'm not completely crazy (lol), I'm actually looking for an Ice axe/Climbing tool first and foremost, and the self-defense properties are actually a secondary fuction to me if at all (especially vs zombies).:o:D:thumbup:
 
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