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Description

Rainier or Denali, the Raven gets you there and back.

The Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe is designed to give you the greatest comfort and ease of use possible. The ergonomic, stainless steel head has a flat top and hourglass shape at its connection to the shaft. This creates a shape that's comfortable to hang onto and allows fast transition to self-arrest. The Raven's pick shape is very secure in self-arrest, and the large adze makes the dismal job of chopping a belay ledge a little more bearable. You're going to be walking for days with your ice axe. The Raven's comfortable head will make all the difference.
  • Classic design idea for any mountaineering situation
  • Flat head makes a more comfortable hand rest

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Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe

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Here's what others have to say...

4 5

Vince R.

Member since 

The raven is a nice axe for your general mountaineering purposes. There are better axes but they will cost you a lot more.

4 5

Christopher Columbus

Member since 

Great piece, have brought this one on many ascents over the years, holds up well and is fairly lightweight. Very nice grip in cane mode. There are lighter and more technical options out there, but for an all around mountaineering axe it's hard to go wrong with this one.

4 5

greg

Member since 

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.

3 5

Bill Porreca

Member since 
Groups:
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've used it several times

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.

4 5

Eric

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

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.

5 5

Ricky Keller

Member since 

I like it better than the pro version, although it is heavier it feels better in my hand. It works very well for self arrest and self belays. You won't regret buying this axe.

5 5

Kerrie Collings

Member since 

Won't use anything else on snow/ice. Not to heavy and an excellent camp tool, as well. Carabiners fit in both holes (woohoo!!) making it a cinch to secure it to your pack.

5 5

Nicholas Geyer

Member since 

I got blown over the side of a steep hill recently and actually had my BD Raven out at the time. Self-arrest was quick, especially with 120 mph wind gusts blasting me down the hill further. Never made a better investment for ice safety, held up great!.

5 5

Hayden Beck

Member since 

I love the BD raven because it is sleek, classic, and versitile. Every mountaineer should have this axe! I originally wanted the BD venom. but decided on this. It is better han the raven pro because the holes are big enough to accept a biener'.

3 5

Helgi Egilsson

Member since 

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.

Raven

Federico Garcia

Member since 
Posted on

Great Tool i just used in Colombia at el Cocuy national park and it did it job.

4 5

yellowlab03

Member since 

Not much to say about it, it works! Not the lightest but not the heaviest either. I made a leash out of some 1" tubular nylon and am pretty happy with it.

5 5

Evan08

Member since 

Works well in many situations and comes in almost any size to fit you. Light but very durable.

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