Solid constructed ice axe that's light enough to be forgotten until you need it. And when you need an ice axe..you really need it. The 55cm is a a solid third tool. For those alpine rock routes where you are only going to need an ice axe for bits of the approach and summit...this is the perfect rig. Simple and effective.

Great basic axe. Strong shaft, enough weight in the head to thump into ice. One big problem I had was when we were trying to lower a friend with a broken ankle down a couloir after we were in a slide. We had one picket left, which we used as the initial anchor to lower him and myself a rope length. I boot axe anchored us with a clove hitch, and our buddy dug up the picket and descended to us, repeated by 9 pitches. We were trying to be as fast as possible, but the clove hitch knotted the wet rope up tight around the bottleneck of this axe and took a bit to get undone. Had the shaft been a solid piece up and down, it would have just slid off and we would have been out of the couloir faster. That's my only complaint. Maybe I should have used a different anchor method, I don't know. Either way, my next mountaineering axe will be a solid shaft from bottom to top.

I Really got this for a future winter hike on Mt. Borah in Idaho but had to justify getting it right now(my wife doesn't always buy into what I'm trying to get). Well, this guy stays in my car and I've acutally used it more to knock out the ice in my wheel wells more then I've hiked with it. The few times I have used it have been great. I'm 6' tall and I use a size 80 and it does just fine to assist on steep inclines. You will definatley want to get a leash and the Axe Protector.

I've used this axe several times this winter on Mt. Washington and it's great. The axe is lightweight, yet sturdy enough that it doesn't feel chintzy. I can confidently say this axe is a great buy for the money. Chopping a seat into bulletproof snow in Tuckerman Ravine was easy, and self-arresting a slide on the Lion Head Winter Route worked as advertised.

The Raven may not be the lightest and most advanced ice axe out there, but it will still get the job done. I have used it many a winter and it has yet to fail me in anything. The wrist strap is super helpful, as the handle has no grip to it... Totally worth it for the price, and will last a very, very long time!

Great axe. Lighter than most. Cost effective. The new Raven shaves 50 grams putting it pretty darn close the the Pro. I find the slightly more raised axe head more comfortable to grip on a 12 hr slog over the Pro and others; less hand fatigue esp. with gloves. Arrests well but so do all of them.

The Raven is an awesome, simple ice axe. It's light but sturdy and has never let me down. I made my own leash out of some webbing and haven't had any problems with it slipping or losing my grip. It gets the job done.

I've used this outstanding tool for winter and alpine endeavors and it has saved my bacon more than once. It provides a comfortable carry, and is light but not insubstantial (read: makes a decent anchor when necessary.) The classic straight shaft makes chopping steps easy, and the pick angle is nice for all-around use. The Raven would make an excellent entry-level axe with it's perfect combination of great price and durability.

This is a great buy for anyone getting into winter hiking / ski mountaineering. I use this axe primarily while climbing up Tuckerman Ravine in NH. It really gives you great confidence as your clambering up a slope so steep that your knees dig into the snow in front of you. I've seen many people fall the whole way down various aspects of the headwall after loosing their footing and I have to say that the only times I was ever concerned loosing my footing was when I hadn't yet pulled out the ice ax. It really gives you a great deal of extra balance and leverage on steep and slick ascents. You can find this one on sale relatively often as well. I got mine form REI for about 60 bucks and I've seen it at EMS and backcountry.com for similar prices.

Very light but bomber strong. Easy to use.

One of the best all-around piolets I've used. It's pretty lightweight (not as much as the pro, though), but still fully functional. The grip at the "T" is very comfortable, even without gloves. The only thing I wish it had was a slightly bent shaft to make it easier for steep ice. But for what it is, it's a great ice axe -- perfect for everyone, beginner and experienced alike.

I have taken this ice axe to Mt Washington in NH and Mt. Elbrus in Russia. Can't complain, it does the job.

I have owned a number of axes (chalet moser, simond, petzl) and this is above and beyond the best of the bunch. I have taken this axe on climbs up Mt. Rainier, Mt. Shasta and many eastern sierra routes. It is light, but secure. It doesn't feel chinzy at all. I recenlty bought a second one for my girlfriend, because I trust its funtionality that much.

This ax is exactly what I have come to expect from Black Diamond. Its a strong, but very light which is always a plus, especially on longer climbs.

Great stuff from Black Diamond as always. Durable, light and great price. Pick has excellent grabbing power. Used this while summiting Mt. Elbrus and it was impeccable.

This axe works exactly liek it should, no more, no less. It is light enough to satisfy my desires, and cheap enough to satisfy my wife's.
FWIW, I am 6'2 with a 34-35" inseam and carry the 70cm for 90% of my travels.

I used this axe on Grand Teton glaciars and worked very well.It is very light but has a good grip.Buy a wrist strap.Worth it!

snagged this for the wife. She loves it, light and strong. a little to long for her but that's my fault i guess.

This axe is super light but still really durable. The pick is also a little more aggressive than a traditional mountaineering axe so that you can use it almost like a technical tool on alpine climbs that involve snow travel, moderate alpine ice and mixed climbing. I usually use a 70cm axe but for this kind of use I size down to around a 60cm tool. Then you get the best of both worlds.

I use this mostly for ski mountaineering in the Wasatch. Not the lightest, but has a nice feel. Gets the job done, which is what matters.

I use this mostly for ski mountaineering in the Wasatch. Not the lightest, but has a nice feel. Gets the job done, which is what matters.

I bought two of these for gifts for my friends. And today, I am thankful to still have two friends. Why? Because it was an inexpensive way to buy friends while making it look like I spent a lot of money on them, and without having to pay them cash directly for their friendship. Yes, I buy my friends.

As for the axe, I like it better than my Camp axe. Durable, lightweight, and it does the job to bring you home safetly to enjoy a nice cold brew.