Objects Database

Simond Piranha Ice Axe & Hammer

Accession Number

1600.2021.1(a-b)

Object Name

Simond Piranha Ice Axe & Hammer

Created

30/03/2021

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

30/03/2021

Brief Description

Simonds Piranha Ice Axe and Hammer with serrated drooped picks, rubber covered metal shafts, serrated ferrules, bent shafts and two holes in the head.

Materials

Metal, rubber, nylon,

Dimensions

Shafts 46(L) cms Axe head 34(L) cms Hammer head26.5(L) cms

Number Of Objects

2

Inscription Description

“SIMOND” on wrist leash.
On heads “SIMONDS PIRANHA” and logo of a bird carrying an axe on top of a mountain peak.

Colour

Green, black

Maker

Simonds

Object Production Place

France

Provenance

Simond Piranha ice tools seem to have arrived on the scene in the late 1990’s to mixed reviews though with so many ‘experts’ chipping in with their views in the various climbing forums it’s hard to get a good review on anything.
The modular system with interchangeable picks, is pretty standard on most specialist ice tools these days though good engineering to avoid loosening isn’t always the case. The Piranhas seem to be well engineered and they also have the standard bent shaft to avoid ‘ knuckle bash’. The fairly large adze is/was popular with Scottish climbers as it dealt well with unconsolidated snow ...so to parody an old Irish joke...put all these ice tools in a corner and take your pick!
We found this pair, virtually unused, buried in a pile of excreta in an old shed and destined for the skip. A pal of ours decided to shot blast them and we re-sprayed them in their original colours to save them for posterity.

Acquisition Date

30/03/2021

Condition Check Date

30/03/2021

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

30/03/2021

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