Leashes, smeashes. Here's the deal, for ice tools there are basically two designs, clip and slipknot. Clip leashes are heavier, more complex and more expensive. Slipknots are light, simple and cheap.
That's half the story. The other half is how they actually work. You're climbing vertical ice. With a clip leash, you bury your tool, unclip, place protection, clip back in and you're on your way. No muss, no fuss. With a slipknot leash, you bury your tool, attempt to release the slipknot, become frustrated, almost dislodge your tool, curse, finally get your hand loose, place protection, attempt to get your hand back in the leash, become frustrated, almost dislodge your tool, curse, finally get your hand in and you're on your way.
Black Diamond's Lockdown leash does cut down on this a bit, because the loop that releases the slipknot can be looped over the hammer or adze (gently!) to release it. Sold singly in left-hand configuration only, so don't forget to pull the long part of one leash through and re-thread it from the other side for the right hand, a little tip they neglect to mention. Bottom line, slipknots are fine for alpine use, but for vertical ice go with a clip.
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