Naoji Morita started making ice axes under the Icemanship brand for the mountaineering equipment shop Alps in Kanda Jimbocho. Around 1950 he decided to establish his own brand, feeling that selling through a single store was not enough. The name Toma was from his uncle's company Toma Seisakusho. Morita later took over Toma Seisakusho and changed its name to Morita Seisakusho, but continued using Toma as before. Toma ice axes were praised in the mountaineering community for being sold with a chemical analysis data sheet of the steel used. Toma ice axes were made until about 1961.

Naoji Morita also made the Sherpa ice axes for the Kōyama Sporting Goods store.

Ice Axes

↑ 365: Toma

• Made in Japan [1950s].
• 830x335 mm.
• Weight: 995 g.
• Wood Shaft.
• Shaft: 36x23 mm. (Grip: 33x21 mm.)
• Fixed head.
• Straight adze with a curved edge and a slight arch.
• Adze: 90(l)x51(w)x1(arch) mm.
• Straight alpine pick with a pointed tip.
• Pick: 150(l)x23(h)x8(t) mm.
• Square spike.
• Spike: 57(l)x11(w)x11(t) mm.
• Glide ring with adjustable natural fiber wrist strap, brass collar retainer.
• The tapered shaft that provides strength where it's needed most and gives the axe a solid swing when cutting steps.