Black Diamond Raven Pro Ice Axe
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Updated for more comfortable handling and better purchase in ice, the Black Diamond Raven Pro ice axe is the tool you want by your side while pursuing lofty summits.
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- Redesigned head features a more aggressive pick and better ergonomics than the original Raven Pro; also features a larger hole for clipping a carabiner
- Raven Pro's 7075-T6 aluminum shaft cuts weight without sacrificing strength
- Curved adze allows a natural swinging arc; great for chopping steps and clearing snow and ice
- Investment cast stainless-steel spike bites into snow and ice; features a narrow profile for speed control and a wide side profile for stopping power when glissading
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View the Black Diamond Raven Product LineView all Black Diamond Ice Axes| Best Use | Mountaineering |
|---|---|
| Material(s) | Stainless-steel head and spike/aluminum 7075-T6 shaft |
| Pick Shape | Classic Curve |
| Shaft Shape | Straight |
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Strong, Light, Durable, Sharp - The Tool of Choice for General Mountaineering
Just finished a trip to the French Alps. This was my tool of choice for a climb on Mont Blanc. The Raven Pro performed flawlessly. The route includes 35 degree snow slopes, and about 500m of 3rd class scrambling on rock, snow and ice. The axe came in handy during both ascent and descent, and could handle the abuse of a mixed mountaineering route with nothing more than a few scratches. It's super light. The stainless steel head and spike are strong and durable, and can take plenty of abuse. Chopping steps with the knife-blade sharp adze is a breeze. I purchased a slider leash to go with the axe, but that stayed in my pack for the duration of the climb. Only on extra steep ice and snow would that be needed. Be aware that since there is no rubber grip on the shaft, it is more slippery than the venom, but a route requiring a lot of piolet traction is not what this axe was designed for. Make sure to get the axe and spike protectors to keep from shredding your bag and other items while transporting it. The pick, adze and spike are super sharp and demand respect.
Better hope you never need the adze
I've carried this axe in the Andes, the Alps, and the Cascades. While the pick and shaft are perfectly adequate for self-arrest and as a cane, they went too far for weight saving and left a big hole in the adze blade just to save a few extra grams. I tried to dig with it to place a picket (hurrying to rig a rescue for a climber hanging in a crevasse on Mt. Baker) and the snow simply passed right through the hole. It was like eating soup with a fork. In some snow conditions it works better, but you don't get to choose your conditions when something serious happens on the mountain. Buy something with a SOLID adze blade instead; it's only a few grams difference and worth every gram for safety. I carry a Petzl Sum'Tec now and leave the Raven Pro at home.
Great Axe!
I have been using this axe for 7 years and have been on Mt. Rainier, and many Colorado 14ers. This axe saved my life while climbing Little Bear Peak when I self arrested in the hourglass couloir on ice. I have had to actually self arrest 5 times in my life and this axe has performed great each time.
It's what you expect!
Use: mountaineering up Mt. Shasta - Northside Route - Hotlum-Bolam Ridge and glissading down -for those interested in getting an ice axe, main difference between the Black Diamond Raven and the Black Diamond pro seem to be weight. The pro feels a lot lighter and has a stainless-steel head/spike which feels more solid when digging into the ground. overall: lightweight, solid/stiff ice axe, and is everything you expect
Acceptable function
I'm a previous owner of the non-pro Raven ice axe, and I have to say, in everything but weight, this version is a substantial step backwards for a few reasons: 1) The pick, adze, and spike are all much sharper than is necessary or safe for a simple glacier travel traditional axe, making carrying and travel less convenient. If this were an ice-climbing tool or otherwise more oriented towards technical terrain, a sharp pick and even spike might be justified, but a sharp adze doesn't do anything but cut other equipment during travel, and gloves or important body parts during self-arrest. 2) The adze is not particularly usable due to the too-large cutout, presumably for weight savings. I use my non-technical axe mostly for controlled glissading and shoveling to build camps (most people who survive long in the mountains aren't emergency self-arresting too frequently), so a barely-functional adze is hard to overlook. 3) Finally, and this is very subjective and may not be the case for you, the ergonomics of the head which had previously made me a huge fan of the non-pro version of the Raven are much worse for me in the pro version. It doesn't fit as comfortably in my palm, and makes the axe more unwieldy to use. I want gear that may help me stop a dangerous fall to fit right. In summary, if you are absolutely set on the lowest weight ice axe with a pick, this is a decent enough option. If your priorities also include ergonomics and safety in real-world use though, I would strongly consider looking at other models or brands.
The perfect mountain tool
This thing is so light I often bring it even when I think a whippet alone will suffice. It also assume it is super strong too as I used a very similar previous version for many years and much abuse without ever feeling it wasn't capable of arresting a fall if arrest was possible. Basically, I always trust that this thing will not break. This cannot be said for some other axes I have used. Super light. I own the 55cm one only because the 50cm was sold out. I use it mostly as a ski mountaineering tool but also use it on rock approaches in the spring. Phenomenal axe. Light, strong, short and is perfect for my needs!
perfect for snow climbing, glacier travel, and light mountaineering
A mountaineering axe is not a piece of gear that needs to be replaced frequently, if ever. But as a seasoned (i.e. graying) outdoor instructor looking to shed weight from my pack, I chose the Raven Pro to replace the axe that had taken me to many high places on three continents over a span of decades. It's hard parting with an old friend. But after looking at every model on the market, I'm delighted to make a new friend: my Raven Pro. Onward and upward my friend!
Great Axe
So far the only place I've used the axe is on Mt. Hood in Oregon. Performed well. I love the head on this axe. It probably has the most comfortable hold of any axe out there. It has great balance as well. All around Black Diamond made a very ergonomic axe. If I ever lost it I'd definitally buy another.
Very good tool, exactly as exptected
This was an essential item on my climb on Mt. Rainer in May 2013. Light weight, easy grip. Only 2 negative characteristics: first, the whole thing would freeze and, in turn, freeze my hand even with a heavy glove on...but this is to be expected (wish it came with a cover slip or something though). Second, the pick and spike were extremely sharp...more than needed for what I was doing I think. I had to really watch out so I didnt' bump into it or ruin gear.
Excellent Quality All Around
All three points are mega sharp. I have to be super careful when throwing this in the Jeep to not scratch or puncture anything. The material is fantastic and warms up quickly for use with bare hands. Really easy to use and makes for quick self arrests. Love that I can go glissading safely now.