It's light, but the pick still swings. The head has a T cross section to give your palm a large pressure surface for slamming the spike puppy home in dense snow. The had and…
- J. MARK, 06/22/09
PORTLAND

This axe is very light and great for glacier travel and high-altitude mountaineering when every ounce counts. It's extreme light weight hinders it a little when chopping step…
- ORLIN, 04/02/09
DENVER

I bought the 50cm hammer pick version and the 57cm adze version. The 57cm finish was good but the 50cm hammer was not. I noticed that the hammer hex bolts had rounded (ma…
- Gilian, 04/12/13
Belconnen

I struggled with trying to get a set of axes that would do everything...these have a nice curve (wish it was more bent) but at 57cm it was a good length. The hand rest is bee…
- Gilian, 04/12/13
Belconnen

This ice axe is meant for less technical styles of mountaineering but for self arresting and using it as a snow anchor, it works flawlessly. It's not the heaviest or the light…
- Adam, 12/07/10
Redmond, WA

Does everything a general mountaineering axe should! Ive taken mine up quite a number of peaks and shes shown a bit of wear but who wants a shinny axe anyway! Don't use her as…
- BEN, 03/10/10
CREIGHTON

Everything about this axe is killer, except for the grip. Uncessary weight and gets a little caught up in the occasional probe. Go with the Raven Pro and save yourself the s…
- William, 10/30/12

Great axe all around! The additional leash and grip helps a lot. What can you say, Black Diamond doesnt make bad products.…
- Nikolay, 05/03/11
Kiev, Ukraine

I bought 3 of these for an outdoor adventure group. Great piece of equipment for an intro into mountaineering. Students practiced self arrest at Nordhouse Dunes in Ludington…
- Louis, 01/12/11

Good piece of general mountaineering equipment at a great price. Great for beginners and also for everyday non-technical climbs. Weight is good, leash is nice. Great quality.…
- Mike, 01/26/12
Sea Level

For a T rated axe this is light, well balanced and does the job well. Got 65cm for walking and general moutaineering and used for belaying on easy to mod snow slopes performed…
- Terry, 01/26/12
Sydney, Australia

This is a nice mountaineering axe with a terrible leash. The leash just doesn't work very well, it always twists up and it doesn't fold over the top of the axe in a nice way.…
- Girard, 12/02/10
New Hampshire

just looks cool on the pack, right?…
- Gib, 05/08/13
Venice

for general mountaineering, this is a great axe. the steel in the pick and the spike will make sure it doesn't get dulled up, and its stainless steel, so no rusting and staini…
- Ted, 09/27/11
FoCo

The original Air Tech Racing was legendary for being the perfect blend of super light and super strong. (1 piece forged chromoly head). This new version adds a bottom carabine…
- Eric, 12/29/12
Seattle

This is really the only ice axe I have used, so I can't compare it, but I was happy with it. It's not a walking stick, even at the largest size, you would have to be pretty sh…
- Daniel, 08/30/10
Canada

All Ice axes are a blend of compromises. This one blends the strongest possible head/pick (1 piece forged chromoly) with very light weight, without being TOO light, like the C…
- Eric, 12/29/12
Seattle

If you're looking for a tough axe to take on hard alpine routes, this is not your axe. If you need something to help you on a steep snow slope or for generic glacier travel,…
- Greg, 08/20/10

I love the light weight and its proved worthy on a number of climbs, but don't choose this if you're planning on any sort of technical moves or places where a good bite is cru…
- Ben, 05/19/10
Seattle

Used this in a winter class on Mount Washington and it worked like a charm. very easy to grip and confortable on the palm. Great for any new mountaineer. Very well built.…
- RICH, 03/30/08
HIGHLAND LAKES

I have had this axe on four volcanoes in Ecuador and various other climbs. It does the job and I have yet to have any problems with it. Can't ask for better than that. If I we…
- Toby, 11/26/12
North Canton

This axe doesn't have all the bells and whistles of some of the other ones on the market, but for the price, it can't be beat. It feels really solid and has a nice steel head…
- Derek, 03/03/11
Columbus

I bought this ice axe for Mount Washington. The previous year I had used a Black Diamond 65 cm Raven. Good axe also, but for much of the climb we used the axe in the cane po…
- Brian, 03/09/12
Chicago

This is the best ice axe so far I have tried for mountaineering. Its length is ideal for hiking on small and medium grade snow field. On steep slopes, this baby's curved shaft…
- Hao, 12/07/11
Seattle

After 15+ years this is still my #1 most recommended ice axe for all-around use. Pros vs.other light axes: Light without being TOO light like the Camp Corsa. 1 piece for…
- Eric, 12/06/12
Seattle

It's even better than my multi-tool (some days, at least). This legendary relic (since Grivel NA is kaput) earned its status by not being afraid to be 'chunkier' where it need…
- HAI, 04/03/09
California

Solidly-built wall hammer, with enough heft for hand placing bolts! Can't wait to use this on the big stone! Much nicer than my old Black Diamond Yosemite hammer. My husban…
- Patricia, 01/17/11