Talk:Ice axe

message: I appreciate the description of how to use ice axe loops on backpacks, but I'm still not sure I follow the procedure.  Is is possible for someone to add photos of how to use the loops?  I can't find any photographs on the Internet illustrating the final positioning of the ice axe in the loops.
I realize this is not a how-to article, but a single photo might help in clarification.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.2.233.107 (talk) 20:07, 8 April 2008 (UTC)
thread_title:  Photo of ice axe loops 

message: It's a shame all that's talked about is a couple of murders. It would be nice if there are some examples of reasonably well known climbers having avoided or lessened injury due to their ice axes. 131.111.245.195 (talk) 01:46, 15 October 2008 (UTC)
replies: text: Folks rarely write articles in the mainstream press about routine ice axe arrests, just like they don't report it when the brakes work on a car. If you come across some good sources, like mountaineering publications, that mention significant saves then please add them.  ·:· Will Beback  ·:· 02:03, 15 October 2008 (UTC)

text: I've added a new section on the History of the ice axe today. Jim Heaphy (talk) 04:53, 29 November 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: Well done!   Will Beback  talk   07:56, 1 December 2009 (UTC)
thread_title:  'history' 

message: The second paragraph of the opening says that basic axes are not suitable for use in belaying and are aimed at beginner or casual users, which I'm not sure is correct. My understanding is that the main difference is that technical axes are strong enough to support body weight with the pick in good ice, while basic axes are not. But that doesn't mean a basic axe is only for beginners, in fact on climbs with no vertical ice a basic axe would likely be better suited, since with a longer shaft than a technical axe it is better suited to help the climber maintain her balance. From what I've learned a basic axe can easily function as a deadman anchor for crevasse rescue, and hence I think saying that a basic axe is not suitable for belaying is misleading. Liamwillco (talk) 23:43, 10 July 2010 (UTC)
replies: text: I agree. What I have heard from different sources is that wooden-shafted axes may break in a belay. Regular mountaineering ice axes are all metal nowadays. Basic, all-metal ice axes are certainly strong enough to support weight, and I don't recall reading of any accidents that involved broken metal ice axes. Perhaps "basic" is not the right word to use for a non-techical axe.   Will Beback  talk   23:49, 10 July 2010 (UTC)
replies: text: I agree as well.  A "basic" ice axe would be used by an expert, skilled mountaineer on a mixed climb not involving steep ice climbing.  It is incorrect to refer to such an axe as being for "beginners".  Wooden handles have been obsolete for over 30 years, except as collector's items. Cullen328 (talk) 03:28, 12 July 2010 (UTC)
thread_title:  Technical versus basic axes 

message: I've been accused of not being "neutral". I'd like this explained before any more reverts take place. This is ridiculous - all this fuss about a simple, verifiable, edit!
Now I'm happy to cooperate if there is deemed to be a probem with the words I have used, or phrasing. But do take the time to explain before just wiping out work others have done.
--81.131.130.116 (talk) 05:49, 11 February 2011 (UTC)
replies: text: Sorry about the confusion, I will not revert your edit. Kevinmon•talk•trib 05:53, 11 February 2011 (UTC)
replies: text:  No problem Kevinmon. I had begun to feel a little hounded there! lol --81.131.130.116 (talk) 05:59, 11 February 2011 (UTC)
thread_title:  Neutrality 

message: The IP editor who has been editing the article has not furnished any references from reliable sources that make any distinction between American English and any other dialects of English with regards to ice axe terminology.  However, I want to avoid an edit war, so I will refrain from editing this article for at least 24 hours before making any further changes.  I respectfully request that the IP editor provide genuine, solid reliable sources for his claim that this entire item (as opposed to the tip of the tool) is called an "ice pick" by people with mountaineering expertise. Thank you. Cullen328 (talk) 06:23, 11 February 2011 (UTC)
replies: text: In 25 years' mountaineering I've not once heard anyone call an ice axe an "ice pick" in the UK  – well, apart perhaps from people who are ill-informed. This reminds me of those who would call any type of conifer a "Pine". But do we have to put in our article on Spruce: Spruce, also called "Pine"; or Fir, also called "Pine"; or Cedar, also called "Pine"; or Cypress, also called "Pine"? I think that would be pretty stupid. What might be worthwhile – at best – is to say Spruce is sometimes mistakenly called "Pine" but is a completely different genus. This mistaken nomenclature of ice pick follows pretty much the same logic. Ericoides (talk) 13:16, 11 February 2011 (UTC)
thread_title:  "American English" 

message: Is it known why Mercader had an ice axe as opposed to a pick?  I do wonder if the confusion about the tool is one of Spanish-English translation.  The Trotsky article quotes Mercader's trial testimony as: "I laid my raincoat on the table in such a way as to be able to remove the ice axe which was in the pocket."  I don't know any any mountaineering axe that would fit in a pocket.  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.255.170.233 (talk) 18:21, 9 January 2013 (UTC)
replies: text: An ice pick is a tool used to break ice used domestically for example to cool food, nothing to do with mountaineering. Not sure if that was what killed Trotsky but there seems to be confusion even in modern press reports. See for example the Guardian article http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/jun/16/past.russia. It claims the weapon was found and is Mexico but on the one hand calls it an ice pick on the other says it was a montaineering tool.  I think as mentioned above it is most likely a miss translation from Portugese Billlion (talk) 11:43, 12 May 2013 (UTC)
replies: text: Contrast this article in the Guardian at the time http://century.guardian.co.uk/1940-1949/Story/0,,127350,00.html which reports "According to the police Johnson had a small pickaxe, of the type used by Boy Scouts, hidden in his trousers. " Did boy scouts use small pickaxes? I have no idea. Billlion (talk) 11:57, 12 May 2013 (UTC)
thread_title:  Trotsky assination 

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thread_title:  External links modified 

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thread_title:  External links modified 

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thread_title:  External links modified 

message: Does the article really need this trivia section. Isn't it strictly speaking off-topic. Rwood128 (talk) 11:17, 20 March 2020 (UTC)
replies: text: Concur: Not on topic as is. Perhaps were there more items, a trivia section could be a place for that information. —¿philoserf? (talk) 15:47, 20 March 2020 (UTC)
replies: text: Please not a trivia section! Perhaps move to Manner of death. Will do if there no objections. Rwood128 (talk) 15:56, 20 March 2020 (UTC)
replies: text: Well, I sort of object, but only because I think we can do better. My recommendation would be to remove the section completely and add a 'See also' link to Axe murder. It's all there if anyone needs the gruesome details of who killed who with what type of axe. Nick Moyes (talk) 17:15, 20 March 2020 (UTC)
replies: text:  I am all for a see also to axe murder —¿philoserf? (talk) 18:03, 20 March 2020 (UTC)

text: I support that. Rwood128 (talk) 17:49, 20 March 2020 (UTC)
thread_title:  As weapon