I recently used this axe on some moderate winter mountaineering in Colorado. I considered purchasing the lighter version, but am glad I saved the cash. I didn't feel like it was too heavy on a 6.5 hour hike (3,000 foot verticle evelvation gain, approaching 14,000 feet). It did well on the one self arrest I performed on a steep snow pack. I'd recommend getting the leash or finding a cheaper way to tie to your wrist.

Great for general mountaineering. Strong but not exactly the lightest. This is a good first axe if your still learning how to use them.

and being 6' 6", it's great. Hard to find an ice axe that long without having one made. Have used it on 3 climbs now and I love it.

I’ve used this axe before and loved it. I went to buy myself one. It lighter than the other model, a reasonable price, very durable, and has a great grip and a light swing weight.

I ordered this on sale and confirmed a great low price, but didn't click the submit button until after the sale expired (page sat on my computer for awhile). I rec'd an invoice and my credit card was charged, but then a week later, received a cancellation notice from BackCountry.com, and then a week later my money was refunded. So, maybe a great ax, or maybe a piece of tin. Who knows.

My wife, my son and I used the Raven Ice Axe in the Alps on gentle to moderate ice slopes and moderate to steep snow slopes. This axe is very light, which helps when every ounce counts. The shape of the head makes holding the axe in the self-arrest position much more natural and less tiresome. In my opinion, this tool is not suitable for technical ice climbing. We tried it on steep ice slopes for practice and discovered that the shaft is much too slippery for any serious work.

The Raven Ice Axe is great for general mountaineering. Light and strong!

The BD Raven performed admirably during a recent six day trip in the Cascades. Although I never experienced hardpacked ice and snow, the Raven proved to be excellent in digging anchors and providing support on the ascent.

I took the Raven on its first climb last Sunday up Mt. Hood. My friend Chris and I had a crazy good time climbing till I couldn't go any further because of a lack on my part of crampons. I got within 800 ft. of the summit and there he decided he just couldn't stop so close to the top. He summited and in the process lost a crampon to a thousand foot crevasse. He ended up spending 4.5 hours stuck on top, while I after half an hour went down because of a little sickness due to cold and elevation. I ended up waiting at the bottom for 7 hrs, but all in all he got back ok and the Raven truly performed on the climb and descent.

It's an ice axe... Good for glacier walking; serviceable for light technical tasks. It got me up about 400 feet of 50-55 degree incline mixed ice and snow.

Seems like everyone I've met in the backcountry during winter has one of these axes, and now I know why. It's lightweight, dependable, and it's already helped me do a self arrest so I wouldn't go sliding into a stream.

I recommend this tool

We had rented the Raven to practice and climbed Mt. Baldy above L.A. in the winter. Bought the Axe from you after renting locally. Attempted Shasta last weekend and about 60-70% of us novice climbers had the Raven. Very light and comfortable. Handled well on self-arrest.

The grip is really easy to hold, it’s not bulky and it totally fits in small hands. The swing is nice too as your hiking...super buy, get on it!

I love my Raven. For general use make sure you get a leash as it does not come with one, but this axe is excellent, especially for the price.

Great glove! I love that the liner is removable; it really helps after long powder days... the gloves dry out much faster. My only complaint is that I wish the wrist had a strap to tighten the glove. Other than that they are excellent.