Description
The best of both worlds.
- Ideal counterpart to your ice axe on a mountaineering trip
- The interchangeable, classically curved pick is designed to provide solid placements while ice climbing as well as to self-arrest securely
- The Venom's slight bend at the top of the shaft increases vertical performance without sacrificing the ability to plant the shaft in the snow
- Replaceable pick can be re-sharpened after each trip
- An ideal alpine leash, the Lockdown, is included with this versatile axe
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Share your thoughts
What do you think of the
Black Diamond Venom Hammer
? Share a...
Venom Hammer
Eric Carter
Member since
- Gender: Male
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
Not aways my first choice to bring on a trip but definitely good to add to the quiver. nice for snow routes where you consider not bringing an axe but might need to pound something or if you run into a slight bulge of ice. Not something I would particularly want to climb serious ice with but there are climbers out there way better than I who easily could. Grip is nice, leash works well, and the picks are easy enough to change if you have the tool though I prefer the bolt heads on the cobras for tightening in the field.
Jake Norton shows us his favorite ice ax
Scott Angus
Member since
from Whittaker Mountaineering
Topping out on the Chevy
Andrew McLean
Member since
Kim Havell about to top out on the Chevy Couloir on the way to skiing the Grand Teton, which she climbed using Venom ice tools.
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Sterling Watson
Member since
Great tool does it all
Sterling Watson
Member since
Perfect Alpine Axe.
Sterling Watson
Member since
This thing rocks! I was looking for an axe that I could use for self arrest but would also work well on some semi steep ice/snow, and the venom does the trick. Seriously, you can't go wrong having this tool with ya.
Good but heavy
Aaron Slaven
Member since
Like many have said before. When you have a pair they really add up in weight department. Other than the weight this is a sold tool.
Just what I wanted
one5220235
Member since
I thought this must somehow suck because it's so much cheaper than many others in its class but it doesn't. It's sharp, aggressive and a valuable tool. I bought this as a compliment to my long ax for more classic alpine climbing and used it on Mt. Hood's Old Chute yesterday. I would have been significantly less happy without it. I am 6' and I got the 50c which feels plenty long for what I want it for.
Mixed tools, mixed climbing
Reid Pitman
Member since
Great tool!
Sterling Watson
Member since
If you want a tool that can be used for a bit of mountaineering as well as some steeper ice, the black diamond venom is it!! Perfect versatile ice tool when you need one that can do many different things. Id recommend it to any alpine climber.
Versatile
Arthur Debowski
Member since
This has been my go to axe when engaged in steep glacier travel and light mountaineering. It can work for a bit of easy vertical but certainly not what it was designed for. Also use this bad boy on ski tours over icy terrain as I do not (yet) have a whippet.
can this hammer knock in some Pitons???...
nik
Member since
can this hammer knock in some Pitons??? or do i need the black diamond hammer?
Sterling Watson
Member since
This hammer can put pitons in...but, the black diamond hammer would be MUCH easier to use.
Hey All,
Building my backcountry ski kit...
inf2878937
Member since
Hey All,
Building my backcountry ski kit a bit deeper this year. I am 6 ft and need some recs on sizing an ice axe. Any reccomendations please would be a big help. Thanks
Barrett Wood
Member since
I'm 5 ft 11 in and I use a 65 or 70. In general, you want an ice axe that, when you hold it at your side with your arm straight, stops a little bit above your ankle. If you plan on going up steep slopes, you'll want the axe to be a few cm shorter than that. This only applies if you're going to use the axe as a cane.
If you plan on using it on very steep slopes where you're going to swing it over your head, you'll want a significantly shorter tool. The standard length for technical tools is closer to 50 cm. If that's what you plan on doing, a 57 cm Venom might serve you pretty well.
Jason Speer
Member since
I just bought a 50cm Venom hammer as a second tool to my 65cm Raven for north Cascades ski mountaineering and climbing. I'm shorter than you but my reasoning is that I'll be skinning with poles on anything under ~45 degrees and if it gets to the point that I want an axe it's to plunge up to the pick on steep faces. I don't need anything approaching cane length for that. When I have some more money I'll replace my Raven with a Venom adze.
Is the hammer suitable for driving in snow...
brianlewis1325201
Member since
Is the hammer suitable for driving in snow pickets?
Greg G
Member since
Yes, the hammer is designed for driving pickets and pitons. Get after it!
Kip Garre sporting two Venoms
Andrew McLean
Member since
Kip Garre checking out a calving ice fall in Antarctica while wearing two Venom Ice Axes on his backpack.
I'm interesting in using this axe to climb...
drew_ettin100040614
Member since
I'm interesting in using this axe to climb alpine routes like N Ridge of Baker and N Face Shuksan and I'm 6'-2" tall.
1. What length shaft would you recommend for an axe with a hammer?
2. Would you recommend getting the same length Venom w/Adze or would it be just a good to use the 58cm Grivel Air Tech Racing axe I currently own for a second axe on these climbs?
Jim Kyes
Member since
I would use the 50cm BD hammer for steep plunging, daggering, and steep ice and the Grivel Air Tech as your main piolet.
An excellent all around classic tool
Andrew McLean
Member since
If I had to pick one tool for ski mountaineering, this would be it. The straight(ish) shaft of the Venom works well for plunging (boot axe belay or quick anchor), yet it also has just enough clearance to reach around ice bugles if you happen to be climbing ice. There are probably better tools in specific catagories, like vertical water ice, alpine climbing, etc., but for all around use, the Venom covers all my bases.
Where the Venom really shines is on something like a winter ascent of the Grand Teton. You need something light as you are going to be carrying it for a long time (the Venom is sub 500 grams I think..?), then you need a tool that you can climb some moderate ice with, perhaps pound a few pitons, plunge in some steep snow and then carry securely on your pack. The Venom is perfect for all of this - nothing more, nothing less.
I gave it a four star rating as I wish it used the existing BD picks instead of the special Venom pick. While these are fine, they aren't quite as strong (a B rating instead of the burlier T rating) and they use two little screws to secure them instead of the one big honkin' mother screw of the other BD tools.
The attached photo shows the tool on a backpack - this was the tool of choice for climbing Mt. Foraker in Alaska.
natalie2329533
Member since
Great review Andrew. Though I am 3 years late since you reviewed this, I am likely going to buy it as my "first second tool".
Any thoughts on how the tech pick does for...
shadrock2339132
Member since
Any thoughts on how the tech pick does for self arrest?
Andrew McLean
Member since
Probably too "catchy" and the classic would be better.
What size? For general mountaineering I...
Barrett Wood
Member since
What size? For general mountaineering I use a 65 cm Raven but don't know what length to get for the Venom. The 50 would be useless for any of the lower angle snow fields that are common in New England, so it's 57 or 64. Which one? (I'm 5'10")
Evan Stevens
Member since
If you are just walking up snowfields with it, then the raven is more than enough axe. You would want to use this one for slightly more technical adventures, and having it a little bit shorter would be more beneficial. You already have a 65, so get yourself a quiver going and go with the 57.
Best alpine/high altitude tool.
don bowie
Member since
I think the only tool that compares to the BD Venom for technical alpine climbs or for high altitude mountaineering, is the Petzl Aztarex- mainly because nothing compares with these two tools for their lighter weight. But during such climbs- especially those with long sections of steep snow- the Venom excels over the Aztarex for a few reasons, but one in particular: it plunges well. The Venom also climbs through technical sections and mixed terrain with great balance and feel- even on vertical and bullet-hard ice- but MOST importantly it climbs securely in steep snow due to a smooth grip/shaft transition and a sharp spike, which is key for self-belay and anchoring. Other tools with molded handles and finger supports do not plunge well, and the Aztarex has a hollow, open shaft which fills up with snow. I've tried and compared many tools from all major brands, and for weight, durability, climbing versatility, leash, and interchangeable picks, nothing currently on the market compares with Venom for alpine climbing. Make sure to buy the Tech Picks, unless you intend to climb only snow- and then you should go for an even lighter tool than the Venom.For climbs with longer hard technical sections or difficult mixed climbing, I prefer the Black Diamond Cobra.
drew_ettin100040614
Member since
I'm interesting in using this axe to climb alpine routes like N Ridge of Baker and N Face Shuksan and I'm 6'-2" tall.
1. What length shaft would you recommend for an axe with a hammer?
2. Would you recommend getting the same length Venom w/Adze or would it be just a good to use the 58cm Grivel Air Tech Racing axe I currently own for a second axe on these climbs?
View all contributions... Be patient, it might take a while.

jua5309549
Member since