One word: strength.

T-rated shafts all for more extreme use and abuse. Torquing and stein pulling put a lot of stress on the tools. Even if you're not on mixed routes, pulling/twisting/torquing to get the tool unstuck from the ice is high stress.

p.s. can you even buy technical tools with B-rated shafts?

um... just in case you need to use one as a bouncing rappel anchor?




No... basically what has been said... strength.

Both ratings are kinda silly and don't apply that well to real use. I ignore them and suggest you do the same.

When was the last time you heard of someone breaking a pick without doing something obviously stupid? The only one I know of personally was T-rated anyway, and it was near the tip so they finished their solo OK.