Details
- Lightweight shaft is hydroformed from a single piece of aluminum extending through the grip for responsive feel and rigidity
- Streamlined, 2-piece single-bolt head is compatible with all current Black Diamond picks
- Dual-density adjustable pommel features spacing washers to accommodate different hand sizes and gloves
- Offset upper grip for modern leashless climbing
- Removable, clippable spike
- Fusion Ice Pick included
Imported.
Specs
| Best Use | Ice Climbing |
|---|---|
| Components Included | Pick |
| Material(s) | Aluminum |
| Pick Shape | Reverse Curve |
| Shaft Shape | Bent |
| Shaft Style | Bent / leashless |
| Length | 50 centimeters |
| Weight | 1 lb. 6 oz. |
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Caleb from
Solid crag tool.
I bought these to replace my old vipers. I like how much better they handle bulges and the grip is much easier to hold on to for long pitches. They climb mixed well and have a nice streamlined feel. They don't have a hammer. That means they're no good for routes that require pitons. People with big hands will require both extension plates in the handles, but I like them the way they came off the shelf. (I have average size hands). The picks seem to wear quicker than my older tools but I like how aggressive they are. The outer black coating on the shaft and head scratches off very quickly. They don't look new for long, partially because you end up taking them on nearly every outing!
Date published: 2014-12-31
Rated 5 out of
5
by
FourteenFour from
Just Get A Pair
I've logged some great days with these on WI4 & 5 routes. The swing was an adjustment during day one from the Vipers and Cobras that I am used to but I've really enjoyed how they feel on steep ice.
I've heard many people compare them to another very popular tool - but the Fuel is better for a few reasons - (1) BD picks just feel better when they stick in ice, IMO, and (2) in the off chance you break a pick after logging some abuse BD has the best system for changing picks - by using the other pick to loosen/tighten the bolt. You don't need any other wrenches, whether your roadside cragging or on remote routes in Alberta, and that seals the deal for me.
Date published: 2015-01-19
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Akio from
Great all around tool
I use as my every day tools in Hyalite Canyon, MT. They climb just as well, if not better, than any other comparable tool (i.e. Nomic). The main complaint for these are the lack of hammers, although I get pins in just as easily with the heads of Fuels as I do with the micro hammers on other tools. All in all, they perform on all angles of rock and ice and seem to be the perfect tools for Hyalite.
Date published: 2015-01-13
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Jaron from
Great tool, light weight
When comparied side-by-side with the Fusion, the fuel is noticably lighter. It picks extremely well. Although the axe is smaller than the fusion, it does not have an effect on performance at all. Unless you are attached to the hammer on the back of your tool, I would choose the fuel over the fusion for Ice and mixed climbing.
Date published: 2015-01-19
Rated 5 out of
5
by
David from
Pretty darn good tools
The only downfall of these bad boys is the lack of a micro hammer. I like them for all kinds of mixed lines, but to take them to the alpine, it would be nice to have a hammer incorporated to drive pins with as needed. Otherwise, flawless.
Date published: 2015-05-10
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Matt Helliker from
ultimate mixed tool
I've been using my Fuels for the last few seasons and love them, hard scottish mixed or ice these excel in all aspects. The grips are comfortable weather on low or high hand and think the "adjustable" handle is a very nice feature. Compared to other tools i've used I really find the the "feedback" from pick to hand is very reasuring .
Date published: 2017-03-23
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Andrew from
Best tool i've ever had
I tried to like the Fusions, i climb pure ice, so i don't care about mixed performance, i really enjoy long cruiser routes, wi3-4 is where i love to climb and the fusion didn't clear bulges well, the fuel i bought sight unseen hoping it would be the tool i wanted, It hooks really well, it climbs steep ice fantastically and when clearing bulges it still sticks, I'm very satisfied with the tool and it beats anything I've ever swung.
Date published: 2016-01-08
Rated 3 out of
5
by
pd73 from
Good but not Great!
As the title suggests...Its a good tool and not just for the crags. I've spent a few seasons guiding Ice in the Canadian Rockies with them. Previously I used the Fusions. With a slightly modified pick (shape at the tip) and kept slightly shorter, the fusion had the weight to manage the cold Rockies ice. The fuel is shorter and considerably lighter. I ended up adding some lead taped to the upper shaft just below the head of the tool. Doing this helped improve the swing but i suspect that direct mount pick weight might really bring this tool to the highest caliber of modern "reassessed" handled tools out there. Other than that, construction and design are slick, solid, simple, and dependable. I think i'm going to buy the new viper to shake things up and try and compare them to both of the above. They're balance feels slightly heavy in the head and they might be nicer to swing on long days of climbing.
Date published: 2017-02-11
Reviews
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Caleb from
Solid crag tool.
I bought these to replace my old vipers. I like how much better they handle bulges and the grip is much easier to hold on to for long pitches. They climb mixed well and have a nice streamlined feel. They don't have a hammer. That means they're no good for routes that require pitons. People with big hands will require both extension plates in the handles, but I like them the way they came off the shelf. (I have average size hands). The picks seem to wear quicker than my older tools but I like how aggressive they are. The outer black coating on the shaft and head scratches off very quickly. They don't look new for long, partially because you end up taking them on nearly every outing!
Date published: 2014-12-31
Rated 5 out of
5
by
FourteenFour from
Just Get A Pair
I've logged some great days with these on WI4 & 5 routes. The swing was an adjustment during day one from the Vipers and Cobras that I am used to but I've really enjoyed how they feel on steep ice.
I've heard many people compare them to another very popular tool - but the Fuel is better for a few reasons - (1) BD picks just feel better when they stick in ice, IMO, and (2) in the off chance you break a pick after logging some abuse BD has the best system for changing picks - by using the other pick to loosen/tighten the bolt. You don't need any other wrenches, whether your roadside cragging or on remote routes in Alberta, and that seals the deal for me.
Date published: 2015-01-19
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Akio from
Great all around tool
I use as my every day tools in Hyalite Canyon, MT. They climb just as well, if not better, than any other comparable tool (i.e. Nomic). The main complaint for these are the lack of hammers, although I get pins in just as easily with the heads of Fuels as I do with the micro hammers on other tools. All in all, they perform on all angles of rock and ice and seem to be the perfect tools for Hyalite.
Date published: 2015-01-13
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Jaron from
Great tool, light weight
When comparied side-by-side with the Fusion, the fuel is noticably lighter. It picks extremely well. Although the axe is smaller than the fusion, it does not have an effect on performance at all. Unless you are attached to the hammer on the back of your tool, I would choose the fuel over the fusion for Ice and mixed climbing.
Date published: 2015-01-19
Rated 5 out of
5
by
David from
Pretty darn good tools
The only downfall of these bad boys is the lack of a micro hammer. I like them for all kinds of mixed lines, but to take them to the alpine, it would be nice to have a hammer incorporated to drive pins with as needed. Otherwise, flawless.
Date published: 2015-05-10
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Matt Helliker from
ultimate mixed tool
I've been using my Fuels for the last few seasons and love them, hard scottish mixed or ice these excel in all aspects. The grips are comfortable weather on low or high hand and think the "adjustable" handle is a very nice feature. Compared to other tools i've used I really find the the "feedback" from pick to hand is very reasuring .
Date published: 2017-03-23
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Andrew from
Best tool i've ever had
I tried to like the Fusions, i climb pure ice, so i don't care about mixed performance, i really enjoy long cruiser routes, wi3-4 is where i love to climb and the fusion didn't clear bulges well, the fuel i bought sight unseen hoping it would be the tool i wanted, It hooks really well, it climbs steep ice fantastically and when clearing bulges it still sticks, I'm very satisfied with the tool and it beats anything I've ever swung.
Date published: 2016-01-08
Rated 3 out of
5
by
pd73 from
Good but not Great!
As the title suggests...Its a good tool and not just for the crags. I've spent a few seasons guiding Ice in the Canadian Rockies with them. Previously I used the Fusions. With a slightly modified pick (shape at the tip) and kept slightly shorter, the fusion had the weight to manage the cold Rockies ice. The fuel is shorter and considerably lighter. I ended up adding some lead taped to the upper shaft just below the head of the tool. Doing this helped improve the swing but i suspect that direct mount pick weight might really bring this tool to the highest caliber of modern "reassessed" handled tools out there. Other than that, construction and design are slick, solid, simple, and dependable. I think i'm going to buy the new viper to shake things up and try and compare them to both of the above. They're balance feels slightly heavy in the head and they might be nicer to swing on long days of climbing.
Date published: 2017-02-11
