Grivel  G1 Ice Axe

I prefer this axe to the Raven for a few reasons: 1) I think this axe feels more solid in my hand. I don't think it's going to break at any time and I have no problem trusting it as an anchor during a crevasse rescue, self arrest etc. 2) I love the color. So much better than the dark grey that the Raven comes in 3) The price is right. Grivel has never marked up ridiculously on any of their products and I will support them for that. Had great experience with their G22s as well 4) Made in Italy and not in China like BD stuff. Need I say more?

I bought this axe after using the black diamond raven. I do not really prefer one over the other, but if I had to, I would chose this one. It feels lighter and the pick has grooves in it for your fingers to rest in, maaking it a little easier to use with golves on. But since it feels lighter, it makes me feel a little less safe. It has never bent or anything, but it is kinda just that since it feels so light, it feels a little weaker. I am sure it is just as safe as the raven. The main reason I chose this one is because of the color. All my buddies went with the raven because it is a more well known brand in the climbing world, so I chose this, so it would stand out.

The design is so simple and perfect. It is whittled down to the fewest necessary pieces, and there is nothing contrived or gimmicky about it. The BD Raven is much heavier and has an adze square-shaped like the ice axes of my father's generation, but obviously Grivel proved that this round shape is sufficient for hacking, and of course more inviting for grabbing and self-arresting, I'd guess that's the idea. I love that sixies yellow, and the head is chromoly and forged, what's not to like? Chromoly has a way longer lifespan than stainless steel for mountain applications, so beware the companies that suggest they're doing something great by making an ice axe or a crampon with stainless. Some companies like Grivel are still committed to only using chromoly. This is made in Italy with solar power, holds great in hand (in an ordinary way), and did I mention filthy lightweight? I got the 74cm because that's the longest and it needs to be my walking stick on glaciers. The original axes were at least 85cm, I have 2 handed down to me. I'd love to take them up because they rock, but this modern one is just so very lightweight. It's a tried and true design refined by decades of manufacturing technique and optimal materials (AL and chromoly). See you up there.

I used the grivel to teach my niece and nephew to self arrest, it was great and the bright yellow made it easy to find in the snow. It was also used going up Baldy's bowl this winter. I felt safer having in my possession. The only drawback I found slightly irritating is that there are limited holes in the axe head to tie a safety rope. But I found a way (:

Good all around beginner axe but the only downside is the top slit does not fit a carabiner for belaying easily off of the head.

This ice axe is excellent. It is ideal for crossing or ascending snow fields, and is just a great mountaineering axe in general. I also did as much or more carrying of this axe (because of the warm season) as I did using it, but it was not much of a problem at all because the axe is so lightweight.

This does the job. It was purchased mainly to hike on glacier and fortunately it was never used to self arrest myself or a friend falling. I did a couple of voluntary slides to practice self arrest and it was conclusive. The only issue is that REI doesn't sell the ice axe leash or the ice axe guard. The only leash and guard available are for the black diamond model and it fits but I decided to buy the OEM part elsewhere. No big deal but this is the reason to keep it at 4 stars.

This has been a great ice axe until I dropped it and the Adse part of the head broke in half. I am very glad this didn’t happen at a critical moment. This must have been a fault in the manufacturing process. Axe is useless now. Do you do Grivel warranty or replacement work?

I personally have yet had the chance to put this ice axe to the test. Obviously Grivel did and I'm looking fwd to great performance. It appears to have all expected Grivel quality. Hopefully this ice axe will survive well for years to come.