↑ 430: Leningrad Experimental Shipyard of the VTsSPS

• Made in Russia [March 1960].
• 745x295 mm.
• Weight: 1065 g.
• Wood Shaft.
• Shaft: 36x25 mm.
• Fixed head.
• Straight adze with a curved edge and a moderate arch.
• Adze: 80(l)x68(w)x3(arch) mm.
• Curved alpine pick with a pointed tip and with 14 ventral teeth.
• Pick: 140(l)x22(h)x8(t) mm.
• Round spike.
• Spike: 48(l)x10(d) mm.
• Glide ring with an adjustable canvas leash.
• A heavy axe with a large head. The finish is poor, but this is still a quite servicable axe.
• Curved and arched adze edge with strongly rounded corners is not ideal for cutting flat steps.
• Round spike and tapered ferrule facilitate plunging this ice deep into hard snow.
• The logo was stamped very lightly and most of it did not register. The only part that I can read is “УДОСТРОИ” which I assume is part of the word “СУДОСТРОИ” {"SHIPBUILDING").

↑ 275: Leningrad Experimental Shipyard of the VTsSPS

• Made in Russia [1984].
• 605x245 mm.
• Weight: 850 g.
• Aluminum Shaft with Rubber Grip.
• Shaft: 32x22 mm. (Grip: 35x25 mm.)
• Fixed head with carabiner hole.
• Straight adze with a concave edge and no arch.
• Adze: 60(l)x45(w)x0(arch) mm.
• Curved alpine pick with a positive-clearance chisel tip and with 5 ventral teeth.
• Pick: 130(l)x25(h)x6(t) mm.
• Triangular spike.
• Spike: 40(l)x22(w)x6(t) mm.
• Adjustable web sling tied through hole in shaft.
• A short lightweight axe suitable for occassional use.
• Adze blade is welded to pick. Resulting weldment is sandwiched between two side pieces to form head.
• Western equipment was difficult to obtain during the Soviet era, so cavers and climbers at the Leningrad shipyard made many items for their use.