Its appearance is similar to that of an ice axe. Chouinard's idea worked and began a period of innovation in ice axe design. The tip of the pick of the ice axe forms a short blade. A man is attacked by another man wielding an ice axe. However, Mallory was able to hold them by his rope and ice axe. It is the antecedent of the modern ice axe. Gradually, the alpenstock evolved into the ice axe. The long-handled alpenstock was a predecessor to the modern ice axe. Without an ice axe or crampons this presents a serious obstacle. Lack of an ice axe reduces the probability of successful self-arrest. He survived, but injured his foot with his ice axe as he fell. A bemused clerk helps Langley deduce that the weapon was most likely an ice axe. He was actually murdered with an ice axe, a mountaineering tool. There are two classifications of ice axe, Basic (B/Type 1) and Technical (T/Type 2). In the late 19th century, the typical ice axe shaft measured in length.