Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe Review

50cm 348 grams 12 ounces rating.

Black diamond raven ice axe review.

The black diamond raven ultra is a good piolet so long as you don t push it past its comfort zone. The black diamond raven pro is the lighter cousin of the mega popular raven. When i hold my axe it is most comfortable for me to wrap at least my pinkie and ring finger around the pick. This simple streamlined piolet weighs 100 g less than the raven and has all the functional features you ll need in the mountains.

The raven pro has all the same features but is two ounces lighter and a bit more expensive. A modern version of chouinard s original curved pick mountain axe the black diamond raven ice axe is our classic mountaineer s piolet that has been used on classic climbs the world over for decades. I use a black diamond raven ice axe in winter when i m climbing mountains. Bd raven ultra ice axe.

I kept having to look back to make sure the axe was attached. The black diamond raven ultra ice axe is the ideal axe for ski mountaineering and light alpine climbing this ultralight axe features a streamlined design in a durable strong and compact package. Black diamond raven pro ice axe review. The raven s durable aircraft aluminum shaft and investment cast stainless steel pick are engineered for secure self arresting.

Black diamond raven pro ice axe the new raven pro is one of the lightest full service ice axes ever made. Black diamond raven ultra ice axe. Back diamond raven ice axe south hancock mountain. First we can rule out the grivel petzl and all the others that aren t black diamond.

I was able to self arrest within 2 3 seconds with ease as the axe is quite sharp and stuck right into the ice. Why i chose the raven over the raven pro or any other ice axe. I don t always bring it but there have been times when i didn t expect to need it and it s come in handy as a walking stick and self arrest tool when ascending or descending steep snow or ice covered slopes. I utilized this axe to mountaineer up some peaks and glissade back down.

It s not intended for really heavy duty use or steep terrain with high chances of falling to bad consequences. I was able to self arrest within 2 3 seconds with ease as the axe is quite sharp and stuck right into the ice. Out of all the candidates black diamond had the best ergonomics by far. With the benefit of the aluminium shaft it cuts down on the weight without sacrificing the strength of the axe.

Black diamond makes solid products this was light weight and fit into my axe strap on my backpack perfectly. I utilized this axe to mountaineer up some peaks and glissade back down. Black diamond makes solid products this was light weight and fit into my axe strap on my backpack perfectly. The black diamond raven pro ice axe weighs 13 oz.