Well, I have been known to own the odd axe 
Never really found the right way to carry them though
The most comfortable way way inverted in the ice axe loops of my bergan. Which is fine, but its a pain to unstrap and no good when going for a fossic in the woods.
Two of my axes (the Wetterlings and Roselli) came with belt loops. However given they were designed for left handed, bit forward carry, the axe was very, very awkward to get out of the mask when I wanted it. I want to carry my axe on the left, but be able to reach across with my right hand and remove it. On my right side, if carried "bit forward", I have to reach behind my own hip and then pull backwards...ouch. Or if carried bit backwards, I have to roll my wrist round and then pull forwards...ouch.
I also have to say that the quality of the masks was...rubbish. The GB is the worst...soft, rivetted and nasty. The Wetterlings is better - stiffer leather but still rivetted. The Roselli is arguably the best designed - part stich, part rivet. Nasty cheap leather though.
Now an old engineer friend of mine said "you can price up to a quality or design down to a price". In my mind, the manufacturers have focussed on axe design and ignored the carry system. So along comes singtek and he and I decide to try to do better. I'm not saying we have designed a better system - but its a better quality system for me.
The underlying principle is a quality, stiched axe mask. Here is the version for my Wetterlings
The key to the carry system is on the rear. Two D rings instead of loops etc.
Now, there are a number of ways those rings can be used. To attach the axe to your bergan...just add a couple of karabiners. Quick to remove that way too.
Want to belt carry your axe?
Want to go for a walk in the woods with no bergan? Attach a heavy leather bladric to the mask
You can of course adjust the height of carry on the baldric - if wearing it over the jacket I would actually let out a bit more slack..but its most comfortable riding on your hip and I like it under my jacket - more discrete and out of any rain etc.
Most importantly, the hang has been reversed so its bit rearwards on the left hip...see how easy it is to remove...
Of course the system applies to any axe - I like it so much, I have masks for my GB and Roselli as well
As a quality compare - check out the three dimensional shape of the Roselli sheath with no fewer than six welt layers required to make a wedge shaped sheath
Now I'm not saying this is everyones taste however the baldric is unbelievably comfortable compared to a conventional belt mask, and I like the fact the mask stays attached rather than being left in the dirt, but I must admit there is a slight temptation to think I'm a musketeer.
Without doubt the "cross draw" is a vast improvement for me as a right-hander.
Anyway, if you are ever considering re-masking your axe, I hope these ideas prove useful. I would certainly commend singteks work to all....but I suspect the photos speak for themselves
Red
Never really found the right way to carry them though
The most comfortable way way inverted in the ice axe loops of my bergan. Which is fine, but its a pain to unstrap and no good when going for a fossic in the woods.
Two of my axes (the Wetterlings and Roselli) came with belt loops. However given they were designed for left handed, bit forward carry, the axe was very, very awkward to get out of the mask when I wanted it. I want to carry my axe on the left, but be able to reach across with my right hand and remove it. On my right side, if carried "bit forward", I have to reach behind my own hip and then pull backwards...ouch. Or if carried bit backwards, I have to roll my wrist round and then pull forwards...ouch.
I also have to say that the quality of the masks was...rubbish. The GB is the worst...soft, rivetted and nasty. The Wetterlings is better - stiffer leather but still rivetted. The Roselli is arguably the best designed - part stich, part rivet. Nasty cheap leather though.
Now an old engineer friend of mine said "you can price up to a quality or design down to a price". In my mind, the manufacturers have focussed on axe design and ignored the carry system. So along comes singtek and he and I decide to try to do better. I'm not saying we have designed a better system - but its a better quality system for me.
The underlying principle is a quality, stiched axe mask. Here is the version for my Wetterlings
The key to the carry system is on the rear. Two D rings instead of loops etc.
Now, there are a number of ways those rings can be used. To attach the axe to your bergan...just add a couple of karabiners. Quick to remove that way too.
Want to belt carry your axe?
Want to go for a walk in the woods with no bergan? Attach a heavy leather bladric to the mask
You can of course adjust the height of carry on the baldric - if wearing it over the jacket I would actually let out a bit more slack..but its most comfortable riding on your hip and I like it under my jacket - more discrete and out of any rain etc.
Most importantly, the hang has been reversed so its bit rearwards on the left hip...see how easy it is to remove...
Of course the system applies to any axe - I like it so much, I have masks for my GB and Roselli as well
As a quality compare - check out the three dimensional shape of the Roselli sheath with no fewer than six welt layers required to make a wedge shaped sheath
Now I'm not saying this is everyones taste however the baldric is unbelievably comfortable compared to a conventional belt mask, and I like the fact the mask stays attached rather than being left in the dirt, but I must admit there is a slight temptation to think I'm a musketeer
. Without doubt the "cross draw" is a vast improvement for me as a right-hander.
Anyway, if you are ever considering re-masking your axe, I hope these ideas prove useful. I would certainly commend singteks work to all....but I suspect the photos speak for themselves
Red
