Grivel
In the mid-1800s the Grivel family, blacksmiths working in Courmayeur, began actively influencing the history of alpinism from their little factory at the foot of Mont Blanc. The Grivels, a family of Walser origin, had already established a fine metal-working reputation with the agricultural tools they manufactured in an area that became known as Les Forges; this part of Courmayeur carries the same name today. Because many alpinists passed by the factory on their way to the mountains, an important exchange of ideas began taking place. In direct response to the demands of both mountains and mountaineers the Grivels made modifications to the normal workman's pick axe. The heads of these ice axes were hand-forged of the best quality steel available, heat-treated to provide greater resistance and the slag was removed by tumbling them in a water-driven revolving barrel. The heads were then polished and fitted onto solid ash handles. The demands of the mountains have evolved somewhat over the past hundred years and modern ice axes reflect these changes, but the tool's basic premise remains the same.
