The Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe is a traditional mountneer's piolet that is built from innovative lightweight, aircraft aluminum alloy for high strength and reliable performance. This Black Diamond axe also features a one-piece stainless steel head with a large hole for a carbiner, and a pick engineered with a curve and teeth for secure self-arresting. Classic design and modern materials - a magical combination. Yukon Cornelius will for sure be trading up to the Black Diamond Raven.
Fabric:
- Don't forget a pick protector to keep your pick sharp and delicate nylon gear safe
Insulation:
- 7075 aluminum shaft keeps weight down without sacrificing strength
Weather and Wind:
- Pick's curve and teeth securely bite into snow and ice
Comfort:
- Flat head makes a more comfortable hand rest
Traction and Grip:
- Comfortable, ergonomic hand platform provides a secure grip
- Cleverly designed molded head offers a comfortable, confident grip
- Dual-density, molded grip
Features:
- 17-4 investment cast stainless-steel head and spike are great for self-arresting, glissading and chopping steps
- Durable, aircraft-grade aluminum shaft
- Lightweight, aircraft aluminum alloy
- Adze head
- Slider leash
- Classic design idea for any mountaineering situation
- Slim, neutral pick with aggressive teeth
- Pick's curve and teeth engineered for secure self-arresting
- CEN-B certified
- Straight shaft
- Ideal for glacier travel, mountaineering, and ski mountaineering
- Investment-cast, one-piece stainless steel head with a large hole for a carabiner
A traditional axe for legendary ascents, the trusty Black Diamond Raven delivers quality you can feel.
Imported.
The one piece investment cast stainless steel head of the Raven is formed for function and will not rust. Easy to hold and switch to self arrest mode, the Raven's strong design also includes a slightly larger adze than the Raven Pro for chopping steps in hard snow and ice. The Raven and uses a dual density grip that is flush with the shaft providing a better grip when ascending couloirs and allowing the shaft to penetrate hard snow easily. Both models come in five different sizes for custom fit.
Features:
• Pick`s curve and teeth engineered for secure self-arresting.
• Head: Head, Spike: stainless steel.
• Shaft: Aluminum.
• Weight Without Leash: 437 g, 15 oz (55 cm)
| Activity: | Mountaineering |
|---|---|
| Available Color(s): | Envy Green, Gray |
| Head: | Head, Spike |
| Length: | 90 cm |
| Material: | Stainless-steel head/aluminum shaft |
| Materials: | Head: Stainless steel |
| Pick Material: | steel |
| Pick shape: | Classic curve |
| Recommended Use: | mountaineering |
| Shaft: | Aluminum |
| Shaft Material: | aluminum |
| Shaft shape: | Straight |
| Warranty: | 1 year |
| Weight: | 452 g (15.9 oz) 60 cm |
| Weight Without Leash: | 437 g, 15 oz (55 cm) |
Similar Products:
 | Black Diamond Raven Pro Ice Axe | $74.96 - $99.99 |
 | Black Diamond Raven Ultra Ice Axe | $104.95 - $109.95 |
 | Black Diamond Raven Mountaineering Axe | $63.96 - $79.95 |
 | Black Diamond Raven with Grip | $95.95 |
Subcategories of Ice Axes & Tools:
Black Diamond Raven Axe Reviews:
Positive Reviews:
This is a great axe. The Black Diamond ice axe head design is the best for comfortable carrying. Blows the Grivel G1 out of the water in that regard. Besides that, what more is there really to discuss? It's strong, it's sturdy, it gets the job done. Don't let anyone fool you - this is an expedition axe that you could take on K2 if you wanted.
Why four stars and not five? Because for twenty dollars more you can move from a great axe to an elite one. The Raven Pro is great in all the same ways as the Raven, but significantly lighter. Some prefer a heftier axe, but I say get used to the lighter feel and appreciate the long-term advantages of a lighter axe
You will find the Raven and Raven Pro anywhere you find mountaineers doing their thing. You can't go wrong with the Raven, but you can do better.
Solid Product
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
Plenty good for not much money
Great Axe
I went round and round. 60cm or 65cm? I hate it when I am right between sizes. I was getting one for Rainier, so I went towards the longer. I have to say I am glad I went for the 65cm. I could see if was climbing steeper ascents I would have gone shorter. I couldn't see spending the extra for the Raven Pro. I think the biggest reason for not getting the Pro was the polished axe head. I could see myself getting a little light headed, seeing some frost on the shiny surface and having a Dumb and Dumber moment like Harry did on the ski lift.. "Oh look.. frost.." Then having to ask for cup of warm water from passing climbers.. No thanks.
High Quality, Light Weight
None better for alpine travel
Fantastic axe. Can count on it when you need it!
Reliable
For general mountaineering, there is no better option
Neutral Reviews:
This ice axe is quite good if you're going for some non-technical climbing/snow hiking. But that's it. If you're going to be doing any techincal stuff, there is a bunch of better axes. It's not the lightest you can get either. So if you're looking for an ice axe for alpine touring or a "just in case" one Camp Corsa Nanotech (for example) would be a lot better choice.
The axe is nothing special, its not super light or anything like that but it definitely works and is a perfect affordable option for mountaineering in many different situations. My next axe will probably be something like the Venom that is a little more technical and you can get a hammer on the back of it.
