MacInnes-Peck Terrordactyl
From the 1971 Alpine Club Journal:
“MacInnes-Peck ice tools New ice-axes and Terrordactyls A new all-metal ice-axe has been developed by Hamish MacInnes which uses the same well tried Hiduminium shaft of the earlier models which have proved almost indestructible.
The new head design of the axe uses pressing techniques, which allow a light metal steel (as used on spacecraft) to be used. The pick is dropped at an angle of 78° which has been found to be the optimum angle for cutting and holding and the adze is made from the same material giving a uniform thickness throughout. Both the pick and the adze have very high cutting power.
The weight of the new axe is lighter than most light wooden models at present on the market. A special tapered ferrule also has a hole in it for belaying etc.
The Terrordactyl Together with the new ice-axes these have been exhaustively tested during last winter and during the summer in various parts of the world. The general impression of the hammer and adze Terrordactyl is that it is the greatest aid to ice climbing since the crampon.
With the deep section blade of only 16 in approx. thick they can be driven into the ice or snow in a down-pulling motion and in firm snow, white ice, frozen turf etc. their holding power is amazing. Etriers can be used through the ferrule hole for artificial techniques on ice.
The advantage of the Terrordactyl is not necessarily on the extreme routes, but for moving fast and safely on any steep climb. These new tools should allow a new standard of ice climbing to emerge. The Terrordactyl got its name from the late Ian Clough as the head of the prototype (used on the new Scots route on the Eiger, 1970) looked like that prehistoric monster.”
Our Terrordactyls were purchased off the internet. The hammer is shown with a homemade wrist leash configured to pull directly from the base of the pick. The addition of the blue wrap on the handle both insulates the climbers hand from the metal shaft and keeps the wrist leash close to the shaft.
Your info and photos of Macinnes-Peck ice hammers are very helpful! It is the only information i have been able to find. I bought one in early 1975 and used it for many years . I thought it was called a Whillans ice hammer. Was there such a thing? Is it different from the Macinnes-Peck? My hammer is slightly different from those pictured — no name tag, only two round pieces on the sides of the hammer head itself holding the head on, and three below, at the top of the handle (two kind of close together, a blank space, and then one more). I am curious what it is worth. Time to deaccesion some things.
Thank you!
I believe the Whillans hammer was called the “whammer” but without seeing yours I couldn’t say what model it is. The Macinnes axes went through a few design evolutions and that might account for your variations. Send me a photo or two and I’ll do my best to help you out.
If I can’t come up with anything I have some friends who probably can.
Buongiorno io anche usato questo atrezzo , anzi anche il coltello .Che non era altro che un cuneo con la impugnatura nera . Forse se cerco in magazzino anche lo trovo la differenza che la mia era color blu .
Translation:
“Good morning, I also used this tool, indeed also the knife. That was nothing more than a wedge with a black handle. Maybe if I look in stock I also find the difference that mine was blue.”
The Whillans hammer was called the Whammer. I have a photo of one i can dig up if you like.