Pitons: Claudius Simond

The Simonds were a family of man ybrothers working as blacksmiths and who lived in or near Les Bossons, France (near Chamonix). They made farming equipment and cowbells for generations, but gradually began to produce mountain tools for climbers coming from England to explore Mont Blanc.

The Simonds began making ice axes in the 1860s. At that time, their axes had no inscriptions. Eventually the brothers Adolphe (dates unknown) and François (1867-1946) began to mark the axes. head. began to dedicate his work to designing and producing mountaineering equipment such as ice axes and crampons while Adolphe focused on making cowbells and other items.

Francois’s son Claudius (1905-1984).started working in 1925. Under him, Simond soon became a global name in the world of high-altitude mountaineering equipment. After World War II, the business was named after him.

In 1960, Claudius’ son Ludger took over. Since around the 1975s, the ice axes moved to a mass-produced metal shaft, and the form of forged and handmade axes ceased to exist. Ludger built a new headquarters at the foot of Mont Blanc in 1988. He sold his company to Wichard in 2004. In 2008, Decathlon became the sole shareholder of Etablissements Simond.

Offsets

↑ Set 516, 006, 256, 007-008: Claudius Simond Offsets

Made in Chamonix, France [1950s–1960s].
Cd-plated mild steel
Oval containing "CLAUDIUS SIMOND," "CHAMONIX," and "Brevete S.G.D.G." stamped on base below the eye.

↑ 516: Claudius Simond Offset

Made in Chamonix, France [1960s].
Weight: 43 g.
Overall Length: 87 mm.
Effective size: 35x22x3 mm.
Steel.
Oval containing "CLAUDIUS SIMOND," "CHAMONIX," and "Brevete S.G.D.G." stamped on base below the eye.
From Mike Gerbman, 2025.

↑ 006: Claudius Simond Offset

Made in Chamonix, France [1950s].
Weight: 47 g.
Overall Length: 107 mm.
Effective size: 60x22x2 mm.
Cd-plated mild steel
Oval containing "CLAUDIUS SIMOND," "CHAMONIX," and "Brevete S.G.D.G." stamped on base below the eye.
Donated by Phil Lucas, 2023.

↑ 256: Claudius Simond Offset

Made in Chamonix, France [ca. 1960].
Weight: 75 g.
Overall Length: 131 mm.
Effective size: 80x17x4.3 mm.
Original owner was Charles Lewis Spencer of California.
Cd-plated mild steel
Oval containing "CLAUDIUS SIMOND," "CHAMONIX," and "Brevete S.G.D.G." stamped on base below the eye.

↑ 007: Claudius Simond Offset

Made in Chamonix, France [1950s].
Weight: 50 g.
Overall Length: 129 mm.
Effective size: 75x24x2 mm.
Cd-plated mild steel
Oval containing "CLAUDIUS SIMOND," "CHAMONIX," and "Brevete S.G.D.G." stamped on base below the eye.
Donated by Phil Lucas, 2023.

↑ 517: Claudius Simond Offset

Made in Chamonix, France [1960s].
Weight: 66 g.
Overall Length: 129 mm.
Effective size: 75x22x3 mm.
Mangled from overdriving.
Cd-plated mild steel
Oval containing "CLAUDIUS SIMOND," "CHAMONIX," and "Brevete S.G.D.G." stamped on base below the eye.
Oval is larger than the one on #007.
From Mike Gerbman, 2025.

↑ 008: Claudius Simond Offset

Made in Chamonix, France [1950s].
Weight: 97 g.
Overall Length: 150 mm.
Effective size: 100x17x4.5 mm.
Cd-plated mild steel
Oval containing "CLAUDIUS SIMOND," "CHAMONIX," and "Brevete S.G.D.G." stamped on base below the eye.
Donated by Phil Lucas, 2023.

↑ 383: Claudius Simond Offset

Made in Chamonix, France [1960s].
Weight: 48 g.
Overall Length: 111 mm.
Effective size: 60x24x2.5 mm.
Alloy steel.
Oval containing "CLAUDIUS SIMOND," "CHAMONIX," and "Brevete S.G.D.G." stamped on base below the eye.