Petzl Nomic: My Deep Affection (Affliction?)

The Nomic is excellent on steep ice and in mixed terrain—no question—and I will continue to use it there. But, spike or no spike, it just isn't an all-around alpine tool (no matter what Ueli Steck says). The curved shaft, the steep pick and the offset handle mean that it can't perform well on ice that isn't steep. It is awkward to try to swing into grade-two ice. That offset handle combined with the protruding upper grip means the tool also won't plunge well into snow.