The new model of Black Diamond's express screw just works. It has a larger knob, that make them just that much easier to use than the previous version. Also the fact that screw has two holes for carabiners is sometimes pretty handy.

Grivel Rambo 4 is simply clever. It's basically a monopoint, but with a small stabilizing second front point. Rambo 4 is a bit heavy and as difficult to adjust as any rigid crampon, but climbing with it is just pure joy. It's penetration abilities combined with it's stability is simply unmatched. I also like the way the active antibots work, they literally blow off the snow every time you step on the crampon.

There are couple of issues though with Rambo 4. First, it is rather heavy, second the adjustment requires tools, though the structure is built around "one bolt adjustment" principle. Also while fenerally speaking Rambo is very durable and reliable piece of equipment, there are two weaknesses; the metal thing attached to front bail that's used to route the crampon leash and the antibots. As with many other similar Grivel designs the metal thing that's attached to front bail tends "break off" from the bail (mine is fine, but one of my friend's isn't + I've seen several other Grivel crampons suffering the same problem). I've also noticed that the yellow central "active" piece of the antibots tend to come off from the small plastic "nubs" that keep it on its place. The antibot problem is easy to fix, it's not a permanent damage, but still annoying.

Overall I've been very happy with Rambo 4s. Though at this point for technical ice I would probably purchase Grivel G20s.

When climbing multiple pitches of ice you need something like a spring leash, it's just essential safety device that prevents you from loosing your tool in midway. Grivel Double Spring is a good choice for such, it's not particularly fancy, but does its job. It's just about right length and stretchy enough not to affect your movement negatively. Mine has keylock -type of carabiners, whereas newer ones have screwlocks (I think that keylocks are better, easier to operate + lighter)... rotating swivel at the harness attachment point might be handy time to time...