New DMM ice tool - Cortex

Looks like an interesting alpine tool 

https://dmmwales.com/collections/ice-axes/products/cortex-pre-release
youtube link

Looks sick, I really hope to try it someday.

Looks slick. I  wonder if there will be an optional spike attachment

I got to hold/swing them (in the air) at Smuggs Ice Bash two weeks ago. They feel very similar to Nomics with head weights on, which to me is a great thing!

Saw them this weekend. looks like a cross between the nomic and the nor*easter. seems like another nomic copy.

Stoked to see these in the wild; hopefully come in at a reasonable price! Have to argue that a cross between the nomic and nor Easter is needed, and like that you get the shape/grip of the nomic, with no risk of the handle breaking off/solid and balanced swing of the NEsterns.  

Only 4g heavier than a nomic, looks much burlier as well, sick. 

It’s about time mainstream manufacturers moved away from riveted aluminum tubing. 

Eli W wrote:

It’s about time mainstream manufacturers moved away from riveted aluminum tubing. 

It has been done many times in the past, just always too heavy. This only highlights how much more impressive this new axe is. 

It seems like numerous new tools are coming out next fall-are the nomics being updated?  Anyone know?

Makes me think of an updated DMM Rebel.

Fun fact: The DMM Rebel is used by the most current version Lara Croft in the last 3 Tomb Raider games (and movie?)

My DMM guy so to speak says that it is "A crowbar" and he thinks it will cost 500 a tool! I would rather not be quoted on this if I am wrong because it is kinda flaky, sorry.

I was informed by my local gear shop that the retail will be $550 per tool, but with a discount for the pair at $1000 ($500 each).

I reckon you get what you pay for!   If you look good, you dont have to BE good

500 dollars a tool is crazy... Hoping one of you guys can demo a pair and let us know if the pure ice pick and swing is as good as the nomic. They look sweet but have yet to hear anything about their pure ice pick design.

Matthias W wrote:

500 dollars a tool is crazy... Hoping one of you guys can demo a pair and let us know if the pure ice pick and swing is as good as the nomic. They look sweet but have yet to hear anything about their pure ice pick design.

I've used them. The picks aren't too impressive but I think the swing is fine.

Christian Donkey wrote:

I've used them. The picks aren't too impressive but I think the swing is fine.

Swung them into ice? or just played around with them at a demo? If you don't mind me asking what makes them not too impressive? Cross section, attack angle, top chamfer? From their website they look pretty darn similar to nomic pur'ice. Only thing I can't confirm is heh cross section area. 

Matthias W wrote:

Swung them into ice? or just played around with them at a demo? If you don't mind me asking what makes them not too impressive? Cross section, attack angle, top chamfer? From their website they look pretty darn similar to nomic pur'ice. Only thing I can't confirm is heh cross section area. 

Swung into ice. Overall the profile of the pick is taller than a pur ice pick, and the angle of beveled edges are not as sharp, thus likely to displace more ice. I didn't have a pur ice pick on hand to compare, but I believe my assessment to be fairly accurate. The tool is good enough and I'm sure more durable than a nomic where I'll likely add a pair to my collection at some point. 

Christian Donkey wrote:

Swung into ice. Overall the profile of the pick is taller than a pur ice pick, and the angle of beveled edges are not as sharp, thus likely to displace more ice. I didn't have a pur ice pick on hand to compare, but I believe my assessment to be fairly accurate. The tool is good enough and I'm sure more durable than a nomic where I'll likely add a pair to my collection at some point. 

Great info thanks. Slightly disappointed that potentially these companies are putting in effort to compete with nomic but wouldn't go as far as attempt to recreate the pur'ice pick design. I understand that the pick should match the intention of the tool but I was hoping their more burly ice pick could be left to the Ice Tech pick that they have listed. Looking forward to swinging them into ice at some point but don't think I'll buy them straight away. $1000 is a lot to ask for a pair of tools.

Matthias W wrote:

Great info thanks. Slightly disappointed that potentially these companies are putting in effort to compete with nomic but wouldn't go as far as attempt to recreate the pur'ice pick design. I understand that the pick should match the intention of the tool but I was hoping their more burly ice pick could be left to the Ice Tech pick that they have listed. Looking forward to swinging them into ice at some point but don't think I'll buy them straight away. $1000 is a lot to ask for a pair of tools.

It appears their picks are all going to be T-rated. Possibly a compromise between performance and durability?

I also think a lot of these companies rely on input from their testers, while the designers and engineers themselves aren't high-end climbers. I think it's more cost effective to ultimately settle on a design that's good enough and mass produce. For a lot of conditions (softer ice) and a lot of climbers (those less in tune with these nuances) it will largely go unnoticed.

Christian Donkey wrote:

It appears their picks are all going to be T-rated. Possibly a compromise between performance and durability?

I also think a lot of these companies rely on input from their testers, while the designers and engineers themselves aren't high-end climbers. I think it's more cost effective to ultimately settle on a design that's good enough and mass produce. For a lot of conditions (softer ice) and a lot of climbers (those less in tune with these nuances) it will largely go unnoticed.

Yeah I noticed that. The logic same logic why I have a pair of tech machines in addition to my nomics. I'm sure you could file a better edge into them and get a more type 1 displacement similar to nomic. We'll see.

Thanks for the info man.