Simond Chacal

I have tried a variety of tools through the years.

My 4 favorites, you will see a review on each.

The Simond Chacal with interchangeable tips (not uncommon these days) was one of the leaders of time gone by. Quality and durability equals my other three favorites too. Nice feel, relatively easy (with the right tools) to change the tips.  Easier to do at the top or start of a climb but possibly mid climb too. 

Strongly recommend taking a Craftsman Combination Wrench and grind the open end off then drill a hole. Add a ring for a carrabiner to the hole. Also, pick up a punch for the two pins and drill a hole in it (near the hammer end, thicker there).  Those two tools along with your other climbing tool (hopefully a hammer face, a Forest Moljner would be perfect!) will allow you to change where/when needed. 

If you have pounded your gear in to rocks and need to swap tips, find a spot to clip in and lean back. You'll be back to a sharp tool quickly.  Swap tips and away you go. Has pretty much the same tip choices (droop, 45 angle, and tube (well, 1/2 tube anyway)) as the Moljner and many of the present day changables.

Small spike end even came in handy numerous times, driving it vertically in to hard snow with the Moljner (no spike on the Moljner so that choice was easy).  Not a recommended practice but, when little else is available - better than nothing at all!  (It Held!)

You can call this a 30+ year test cycle - passed with flying colours.

Thank You, Simond & Co!  Your quality - Greatly Appreciated