4.74 of 5 stars
Black Diamond - Raven Ice Axe With Grip - Ice axe tested
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Reviews overview
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This is what other customers say:
I have used this axe for 2 years now. Walking and Grade 1/2 terrain in Scotland. Fantastic axe that does everything it is supposed to do. I bought the largest variation and am 6’3. This worked well for me.
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- Advantages
- Lightweight
- Good bite
- Robust
As far as straight handled mountaineering axes go this one is brilliant. super light but the construction feels good, the forged axe head is particularly nice and feels great to hold. However I wish I got the pro version, partly for the even lighter construction, but mostly because of the lack of a rubber grip. I feel like it is the one main flaw I've had with this product as I have managed to mar and slice parts of the rubber when using the axe to clear snow buildup from my crampons. I also feel it is a little unnecessary as I hardly even find myself holding the axe right at the bottom of the handle. I like the rubber grips on my other shorter technical axes as it gives that little extra grip when on the real steep and technical stuff, but for general mountaineering I wish it had a full metal handle with cut grooves for extra grip like the raven pro has.
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- Advantages
- Robust
- Good grip
- Lightweight
- Well balanced
- Good bite
Hi Emilano,
What length of axe?
Classic mountaineering: Most ice axes are used for summiting snow-covered peaks that have glaciers and crevasses. Features include:
Classic length (sized from the base of the thumb to the ankle)
Straight aluminum shaft; or a curved shaft if routes involve lots of steep terrain
Comfortable grip is a plus
Steel head with a classic-curve pick
Have someone help you, so that you can concentrate on standing properly while that person carefully checks the length.
Grasp the head of the axe, with the adze forward and your thumb resting on it.
Stand facing forward in a relaxed yet upright position (your arm holding the axe head should be at your side); let the spike of the axe dangle toward the ground.
On a properly sized axe, the tip of the spike should be even with your ankle, or an inch above it.
Note: If you're doing this at home (rather than a climbing shop), hold an imaginary ice axe head at your side and have your helper measure the distance from the base of your thumb to your ankle.
Reasons to Choose a Shorter Ice Axe
The main reason most people choose a shorter axe is to save weight. Going shorter (by up to 10cm) is OK if you anticipate a lot of travel on steep terrain, or your route will require minimal ice axe use. Avoid getting an ice axe shorter than 60cm, though, because its spike will be dangerously close to your vital organs during a self-arrest.
Ice-climbing axes are an exception to the "not less than 60cm" rule because climbers must repeatedly swing their axes to penetrate a wall of ice, and a shorter axe is more comfortable to use that way.
Reasons to Choose a Longer Ice Axe
You might consider getting a slightly longer (and heavier) axe if you'll predominantly use it to build snow anchors, to probe for cornices and crevasses or to travel on low-angle snowfields. A longer axe, though, can be unwieldy to use during self-arrest because the spike can catch in the snow and send you and your axe flying. Avoid getting an axe longer than 70cm unless you're tall enough to measure out as needing an axe that size.