Review: Black Diamond Fuel Ice Tool

The economy is still in the toilet, so a quiver of ice tools just isn’t an option for most ice junkies. A climber needs one tool to rule them all, and from G1 walk-ups to the horizontal madness of the Bingo Cave, Black Diamond’s Fuel excel on ice, rock, and everything in between. The Fusions feature two comfy molded grips per tool for easy hand-over-hand leashless trickery, a clippable (or removable) bottom spike, and stackable spacers to accommodate any hand size. The curve of the shaft provides excellent clearance for delicate hooking and powerful leverage for mighty blows. It’s pretty tricky to pound in pitons and spectres with the “hammer” on the back of the head, but if you’re on a route with that kind of meager pro, any protection is probably all psychological anyway. Available at Northern Lights or online; $300 per tool.