
Please note: Black Diamond products can only be shipped to the U.S. and Mexico.
Imported.
Item 767353
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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
Reviewed by 16 customers
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Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe:
Good axe. I've only used it once, but it was very effective for glissading.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe:
This has been an awesome axe for the time I have owned it. It is fairly light compared to others I have checked out. Balance is great and the axe is easy to place when needed. The shape of the adze seems to take some finesse if the need arises to step-cut but great tool overall.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe:
I'm getting pretty serious about mountaineering and have made the plunge with purchasing equipment vs renting. I just climbed Shasta and this was part of my arsenal. Simple and effective, this was the second most used tool I used (crampons being the other). Purchase a leash for the axe and you're good to go.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe:
Good
Used it in late spring on sierra hike, good for step cutting, self-arrest ease, glisading and ability to dig into the ice.
Bad
Not easy to attach a sling and the one they sell for it isn't worth the price.
Definately would recommend this to anyone needing a general purpose ice axe
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe:
I use this while climbing or while on extremly hard snowshoe routes. Its ilght and very strong. Its held up for over three years oh heavy use with minimal signs of abuse. Excellent ice axe for glacier travel or snow climbing.
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe:
I have both the Raven and Raven Pro. I actually prefer the Raven, it just feels more solid,and safer. The Raven has a longer pick, and a wider grip area, making more comfortable to carry and more secure in my hand. Even though it is a couple ounces heavier I just feel safer with this solid piece of gear in my hand. Works great on steep snow fields and glacier travel. I've used mine on Rainier, St Helens and many other peaks in the Cascade mountains. I'm somewhat of a gear hound so I am always looking at new stuff, but right now there is no other axe on the market that I would own over this one.
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe:
This axe is great for its price. I've used some others axes that were just not of the same quality as this one, and they were more expensive. It has a very ergonomic head and adze, and I really like the slight heaviness to it, it kind of adds a better sense of security. I don't plan on ever having to replace it in the future.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe:
Really solid, very impressed with durability, especially during heavy use on mixed ice/rock terrain, I would have expected it to need several sharpenings at this point, but it has maintained its edges. To those who say it has poor balance: consider the use, it should have a heavier head, making for easier swinging, allowing the head weight to do the work, not your arm, and to help in self arrest: for times you need balance, like use as an anchor, you can attach weight to the other end, that's the way it was designed.
One thought on quality: depending on your use, there may have been a slight over-sacrificing of handle strength to save weight, not an issue for my uses, but could be of concern for those who really make heavy use of their axes
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe:
Good for general mountaineering, light and comfortable, has a nice finish on the shaft so it doesn't feel slippery.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe:
I've had this for a while but really just recently gave it it's first use up on Sahale Peak in Washington. Probably not necessary for the difficulty, but I am still learning... Great piece of gear to have on the mountain, I did actually have to use it once on a self-arrest when I started to slide down. Fun!
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