Ice climbers, what is the best and most durable type of climbing axe?

[Skyros]

I’m new to this and am looking for one under $200. On Amazon there’s one that’s like in the $180 range, the handle is aluminum. Not sure if that’s good or not. Any advice will be appreciated.

[TheSpaceGnome]

Aluminium is fragile and bends easily unless its aircraft grade.
Never skimp on quality for something that prevents you from dying.

[Skyros]

So would you suggest stainless steel or what?

[TheSpaceGnome]

Titanium

[Skyros]

Thanks, how strong should I be to climb ice? I’m not very strong at all.

[TheSpaceGnome]

I'd make sure you master climbing those fake rock walls in a gym first, and that you can lift more than your body weight easily, and master using ropes to climb incase you fall.

Otherwise you're very likely to die when climbing in the wilderness.
You could also die while trying to master the fake rock walls too.
its an extremely dangerous hobby in general.

[Skyros]

Thanks for the honesty. My last question is, is there such a thing as a safe way to practice on a fake wall in a gym?

[TheSpaceGnome]

No, there is "safer", as in with a harness and a spotter and a soft thing to land on, but its always going to be very dangerous, even with all of those precautions you could land the wrong way or too hard and die from it.

[Skyros]

Well, that’s not what I was hoping to hear, but sometimes the truth is harsh. I think it’ll be better for my health to stick my video games that “let” me do it. May peace be with you.

[TheSpaceGnome]

Yeah sticking to doing stuff in video games is pretty much my view on anything overly risky as well.
Glad I could help, and yeah the truth isn't always what we want unfortunately.
Only up is a good game for challenging hazardous climbing simulation.

[Anonymous]

Never used one.