How to choose your ski touring knives?
An essential accessory, ski touring knives ensure your safety on the summits. What are they used for, what are the different types of knives and how to attach them? We explain everything.
What is a ski touring knife?
The ski touring knife is a type of crampon with two or three claws that is attached to the ski. Its purpose is to break up hard ice or crusted snow to prevent the ski from sliding backwards or sideways. This allows you to continue your ascent without the risk of falling. It is generally used when the skins no longer ensure sufficient grip on the snow, which is especially the case when approaching the summits.
The different types of ski touring knives
There are four types of ski touring knives:
- Fixed ski touring knives: These knives are placed between the two binding pieces on the ski. While they guarantee a permanent grip on the ice and allow the use of climbing wedges without problems, they greatly slow down progress. Since these knives are fixed, the skis must be lifted to advance.
- Semi-mobile ski touring knives: These knives feature a rotation axis that allows them to swivel as the ski advances, making the climb less tiring. They can be attached or removed without unbuckling your boots, simply by bending your knee forward to release the binding. Brands like Dynafit offer such knives.
- Mobile ski touring knives: These knives attach to the underside of the forefoot, on a mobile attachment, and move with your foot during climbs. They are less effective on ice and cannot be used with heel lifters. Brands like Silvretta and Diamir offer this type of knife.
- Active/passive ski touring knives: These knives, such as Diamir's Axion, can remain attached to the ski all day. They have a mechanism to flip the claws up for passive mode or down for active mode. Ideal for beginners, they provide added convenience but are heavier and compatible only with Diamir bindings released after 2004/2005.
How to choose ski touring knives?
Ski touring knives come in various widths, from 70 to approximately 130 mm. Ensure the knives match the width of your ski. The type of knife depends mainly on the brand of your bindings. For beginners, Diamir's Axion bindings and knives are recommended as they are designed for ease of use.
How to attach ski touring knives
When you face a steep slope with irregularities in the snow and notice your skins losing grip, pause to attach your knives. Find relatively flat ground to remove your boots without slipping risks.
Tip: Accessible ski touring knives
To save time, store your knives last in your backpack for easy access, or attach them to your pack with a snap hook.
You now have all the information you need to better choose ski touring knives. Make sure to get this essential accessory!
The 3 key points to remember when choosing your ski touring knives:
- They ensure your safety when climbing steep slopes.
- The type of knife depends on the brand of your bindings.
- Never try to attach your knives on a slope.