Which crampons to add to quiver

Paul Piratuswrote:

You might want to take some of the money you saved and secure some extra front points right away. The crampons are discontinued, and the points are already out of stock here and there.

Thanks for the heads up. They come with 2 extra points so I should be good for a few seasons before I need to replace. Hopefully there will be some available before then. 

Paul Piratuswrote:

You might want to take some of the money you saved and secure some extra front points right away. The crampons are discontinued, and the points are already out of stock here and there.

I actually talked to CAMP's customer service about bladerunners earlier this week. They said:

Blade Runners have not been discontinued.  We have discontinued the brand Cassin but all products from Cassin’s product line will still be available as CAMP products.  Stock should return to the website sometime during this month. 

I Climbed last year on the snaggletooth. I think the preform great on WI4 and under. 

Joseph W. Duttonwrote:

I Climbed last year on the snaggletooth. I think the preform great on WI4 and under. 

If someone held a gun to my head and said choose  only one for everything, I’d take the Snaggletooth.

If he said choose only one for steep ice and mixed, I’d choose the G20+

If he said “you have to use Bladerunners”, I’d say “pull the the trigger now”.   Lol.

Really though,  it doesn’t matter in the end.  

+1 for the Grivel G20+. I have loved them. I broke a front plate at one point but Grivel (Liberty Mountain) replaced them fast with no problem. 

Doug Hutchinsonwrote:

+10. For steep ice, they are much better than any crampon that I have used. I currently own Bladerunners, G20+, Snaggletooths; and previously owned and sold Darts (previous gen) and Lynx. 

If I rated it would like:

Bladerunners 9/10 (due to their heavier weight, I couldn't give a 10)

G20+ 7

Darts 5 (previous, new ones seem better)

Lynx 3

(I haven't climbed steep water ice in over five years in Snaggletooths so don't want to rate)

I have A/B'd (wearing one crampon on each foot) and made at least five partners (who used other crampons) do the same and the Bladerunners are always the clear winner. They cost the most, and weigh the most, but having solid feet is the most important part of moving confidently and efficiently on steep ice.

When it comes to tools, I feel it is mostly personal preference and familiarity, but crampons do make a consider difference.

Edit - what surprises me the most about this thread is they're aren't more Dart fanboys. For about the last ten years, I felt they were the favorite of the masses.

I use the Lynx.  Can't say that I'm disappointed with it.  What am I missing out on?  

I have a Petzl Dart and Grivel G20+. I like both, but I think I prefer the G20+ for ice climbing. 

Zach Eitenwrote:

+1 for the Grivel G20+. I have loved them. I broke a front plate at one point but Grivel (Liberty Mountain) replaced them fast with no problem. 

I really wish the G20+ had a front anti-balling plate available.

I've got the old version (G20) and the front balls up bad in wet snow.

With a front plate, the G20+ would be the best all-around monopoint available.  

Kai Larsonwrote:

I really wish the G20+ had a front anti-balling plate available.

I've got the old version (G20) and the front balls up bad in wet snow.

With a front plate, the G20+ would be the best all-around monopoint available.  

Have you tried making your own?  I've used wired-on detergent plastic to great success on others--looks like the G20 is less amenable, but it's better'n taking whippers.

Skibowrote:

Have you tried making your own?  I've used wired-on detergent plastic to great success on others--looks like the G20 is less amenable, but it's better'n taking whippers.

I used to do that to my crampons back when functional anti-bott plates were rare.

These days, my willingness to try to jury-rig gear is much lower.  I tend to just buy something else rather than try to fix it.  

Kai Larsonwrote:

These days, my willingness to try to jury-rig gear is much lower.  I tend to just buy something else rather than try to fix it.  

But you said that G20+ anti-bots weren't available?  Cuss them or fix them, I guess.

Darts a fantastic. Front points are almost always available, good steel, fairly easy to sharpen vs the Stingers, light weight. Skip the lynx, expensive and heavy and not any better for anything the darts or others will do. The G20s seem cool, but don't pack all that well and having th ability to swap mono and dual points is pretty nice.