When I first started ice climbing, I experimented with homemade versions as so many others have: a file, a coat hanger, and the "cutting-edge" advancement of capping the hook using a used-up tube of lip balm, so it wouldn't shred everything it came into contact with. Times moved on, I got rich mountain guiding, and I decided to blow my wad on champagne, limousines, new socks and various other V-threaders. Black Diamond's One Shot—did it. Petzl Multihook—yep. Near rock bottom, I even sought solace in the Glacier Plastics Abalakov Hooker. Crazy times.

Read Kel Rossiter's review on the Alpinist website and let us know what you think!