The KRONOS Ice Tool
Furnace Industries is very proud to release the KRONOS, the world's first 'T' rated, CE certified technical ice climbing tool made from laminated wood.
After extensive prototyping, testing and retesting, micro adjustments with input from pro climbers, and an industry standard safety certification, the KRONOS IS HERE:
Made in very small batches, only 18 pairs of KRONOS tools are produced each season.
Why use Laminate Wood?
With an organic material, hands stay warmer when climbing in cold conditions. The wood 'dampens' the strike of the ice ax into the ice while simultaneously increasing sensitivity. Add to these unique qualities CE Certified, 'T' rated performance and an aesthetic beauty like no other ice tool ever made to make the most original ice ax on the market.
The Shaft
The KRONOS uses a non-impregnated, densified beech wood laminate developed for a wide range of extreme industrial applications including motor sports, aerospace, and for neutron shielding in the nuclear industry. The grade specially produced for the these industries is constructed to the highest density possible using thin veneers producing a dense, stable, high strength laminated board with excellent wear resistance.
The KRONOS shaft is CNC machined in two parts allowing us to machine 'islands' inside the handle halves that fit into spaces of the custom designed pick. The halves are bonded together using Aerodux 185, a 2 part epoxy adhesive used in the aeronautical industry for, among other things, bonding the wings to light aircraft.
The pick islands dovetail into the pick to transfer the energy from the pick strikes directly into the shaft rather than through the stainless steel hardware. There is a 0.3mm gap between the islands where the pick is inserted. This clearance means that the pick is held in place by the islands and wood shaft, distributing forces evenly and avoiding stress hotspots. This key engineering gives the KRONOS it's unique feel.
The Pick / Spike
KRONOS picks and spikes are CNC plasma cut from 4mm tool-grade steel, hand finished, and heat treated for strength and durability. They are then individually inspected.
Bonus Pics:
In case you're wondering how the KRONOS wears over time, below is a pic of Furnace Industries Co-Owner Ben Carlson's personal pair of KRONOS. These have about 4.5 years of heavy dry tooling and ice climbing use, and have been subjected to abuse as demos at 12 ice climbing festivals during the 2014-2017 ice seasons!
