Grivel Machine

Review Date
November 30, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Nick(Unregistered User) ,  Climber

Price Paid:  $275.00 at BlackDiamond retail

Summary:
These tools work exceptionally well and have a great feel. Heavier than some, but a light swing of the wrist gives good penetration not found in lighter tools. I like the quick disconnect leash that works well when placing a screw on lead, it uses a wire gate biner type attachment that makes for a fast one handed release from the axe. The tightening strap on the leash is like the type on their crampons, easy and efficient. The Cascade picks work well on bulges and cauliflowers and have lots of clearance for hooking unobtrusively. I had a set of lighter CM Quarks but perfer the feel of the Machines so I sold them before I climbed with them.

Customer Service:
Don't know, no problems

Similar Products Used:
BD X15, CM Pulsar

Review Date
June 18, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Tina(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from Ithaca, NY

Price Paid:  $250.00

Summary:
The best feature on these ice tools is the thin shaft. This may not be a blessing for all, but for a small handed woman, it's god-send! The conclusion from some experimentation with other ice tools is that shafts that are too thick contribute to over-gripping, which ultimately leads to the painful hand numbing experience that I'm sure we're all too familiar with. Conversely, those with larger hands who have tried my ice tools complain that the thin shafts cause them to over-grip. I suppose it's a matter of fit. Performance wise, these tools swing fabulously and they stick great. I really like the leash system too. All in all, I'd highly recommend them to women who have been frustrated by other tools.

Similar Products Used:
BD cobras
BD X-15
BD Black Prophets

Review Date
May 27, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Tom(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from Louisville Ky

Summary:
I picked up a pair of Machines to use in my introduction to ice climbing, and I was very happy with them. Other tools may be better, but I know that I felt very comfortable that they were in the ice and going to support me. Vibration was never an issue - whether that can be ascribed to the anti-vibration devices or not, who knows. The extreme bend and the base piece kept my novice fingers from being banged up. My only complaint was with the leash - too many moving parts (which did not move once the leash was wet and icy) and the neoprene was too sticky against neoprene glacier gloves. I switched the leashes for those of another manufacturer.

Customer Service:
Never had to call

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
March 5, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Maudit23(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Bologna, Italy

Summary:
Do you remember those straight, heavy, unbalanced ice tools? Well: Grivel made the revolution! The Machine is actually the more radical design in ice and mixed climbing tools since DMM Predator, but much more effective.
Listen, is not easy to use, it's not the right do-it-all ice tool, but if you are working on overhanging exteme iced or mixed routes, dreaming a new wawe in your ice climbing, this is the the right sword.
I actually use and own other less specific ice tools for simple climbs or long north faces, this is a specialist!
The tool (in Italy) is well priced too!

Similar Products Used:
Charlet Moser Axar
Simond Naja