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Grivel Rambo or BD Stinger

Original Post
Andrew Henderson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 0

I'm looking to purchase a crampon. Between these two, which mono point would you purchase?

Grivel Rambo
Black Diamond Stinger

Thanks!

Luc-514 · · Montreal, QC · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 12,506

#1 -> Grivel G20 795g a pair

BD Stinger 960g
Grivel Rambo 1162g

Cor · · Sandbagging since 1989 · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 1,445

Stinger. . .
Slightly lighter. Packs down WAY smaller.
In Patagonia we could fit two pair Stingers in a crampon pocket on the pack.
You can't do that with the fixed bulky nature of the Rambo.
Stinger also has a more long lasting bail plates, IMHO.

(I have had a few pair of Stingers, and my wife is using Rambos. FYI)

Hope that helps you,
C

Garret Nuzzo Jones · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 1,436

I have both the Stingers and G20s and can say they are both excellent. The Stinger packs down easier, but the G20 is a little nicer to climb on with that slightly lower weight. The lack of anti-balling plates doesn't seem to be a huge issue, but could be depending on where you climb.

The Stinger has replaceable front points but the metal is much lower quality on the points so expect to replace them more often. They're significantly cheaper than the G20 front piece so it probably evens out.

I have noticed that the center bar of the Stingers tend to distort slightly over time and require you to flip them back and forth. I'm a bigger guy (6'4" 235 lbs) so it might just be that they weren't designed for the force I'm putting on them. The G20s don't seem to have that problem. They are kind of a bitch to adjust, so don't plan on sharing them in the field.

george wilkey · · travelers rest sc · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 235

I'd defiantly go with the Rambo's, they're the best!

mountainproject.com/v/cams-…

Jon H · · PC, UT · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 118

Depends on what you're climbing. The Rambo IVs are better suited to more of a "cragging" mindset - climbing 1-3 pitches of difficult ice/mixed where weight is less of a concern. If you plan on long alpine outings, the Stingers might be more appropriate.

Some people recommended the G20s which are great, but the Rambos have the added benefit of being able to replace the front points, not the whole front assembly. If you do any amount of mixed climbing, being able to replace front points is more economical. I'm not crazy about the Rambos for drytooling, but for general mixed climbing in the mountains, I think they're so good it's almost cheating.

I definitely agree with the above statement that Grivel has superior metallurgy.

Now that my plug is over.... I'm selling a pair of Rambo IVs if you're interested (but only because I replaced them with a brand new pair). PM me for details/pics.

Cor · · Sandbagging since 1989 · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 1,445

Grivel has superior metallurgy" I agree… I wish BD was better that way, but still love the overall product better.

Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

Rambo IV,,all the way for sure,on mono points

Bryan Ferguson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 635

Always buy American unless you want the best crampon - get the Grivel.

Luc-514 · · Montreal, QC · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 12,506

Regarding the Rambos, they're rigid and the boot face is so flat they may not fit mountaineering boots with a high rocker.
I've noticed this trying them on a pair of Spantics, you had a gap at the toe and/or heel.

Andrew Henderson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 0

Went for the Rambo! Thanks!

chadnuesmeyer Nuesmeyer · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 150

I have both and have them set up for Mono. I like how the Stingers pack down and that they don't rust - they will look good for years to come. However, when I am getting on an unfamiliar route or any mixed route - I go with my Rambo's.

Those of you with Rambo's what are you doing to lengthen the life of the crampon. At the end of the season I treat the crampon with gun oil to try to keep the surface rust down. What does everybody else do to take care of their crampons.

My other complaint on the Rambo's is the lack of a heel spur. The heel bail's pressure adjustment piece sticks out so far that the heel spur is completely negated. I tried putting a mono-point on the heel (it is longer than the supplied heel spur) but, it did not stick out far enough to e useful. Anybody found a fix?

Before the trolls get all fired up; Yes, I know that spurs are largely frowned on by the greater public. I don't care, I am not competing nor do I car to score my form like I was a figure skating. I go out to climb and explore - the heel spur is a safe and non-damaging (unless you sit on it) benefit that I would like to have.

Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280
Bryan Ferguson wrote:Always buy American unless you want the best crampon - get the Grivel.
LOL,,,how true that is....I love BD , Chouinard, GPIW, all of his variants of gear over the decades,,but the best crampons still tend to come from elsewhere.
Steven Kovalenko · · Calgary · Joined May 2014 · Points: 25

I have seen too many pictures of broken Stingers locally to ever want to buy a BD crampon again.

Petzl makes good crampons, but the stainless bails blow up. I only buy Grivel now. Good choice on the Rambo.

Marty Theriault · · Quebec, QC · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 310

+1 Rambo!

Bill Kirby · · Keene New York · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 480

Cassin Bladerunners in case the OP still hasn't bought a pair.

To everyone else I would tryout a couple laps wearing the Rambos, the Stingers and the Bladerunners. This way you know what you're missing or gaining.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Ice Climbing
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