Perfect for ice diving

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Fit:

True to size

Size Bought

13 and 22

I use them for securing my safety line for ice diving. I love the fact they don’t have the screw in knob. Perfect for securing my portable ice fishing house as well, no way the wind is going to blow the house across the lake with these things attached.

Justin J.

Glacier Kit

Cheap screw to add to the glacier travel kit, picked up the 19cm version.

Jason True

Solid Screw

Little waterfall on the Kim Williams Trail.

Christian Spencer

Definitely an Ice Screw

This is a great Ice Screw, and definitely gets the job done. They are nothing to write home about but for the price, they are a good deal. Purchased a couple for safety's mountaineering. Slowly working up to buying a full set to have my own for ice climbing. BD is an excellent brand and makes stellar products. First rate quality.

Courtney Scott

Great beginner screw

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

If you are just getting into ice climbing and don't have the money for your own ice rack, then pick up a few of these. They are great on low angle to moderate ice and icy snow couloirs that are too hard for pickets. As you get into more vertical and technical ice definitely add screws with the knob to your rack but these are a great place to start.

Dallin C.

Go with the knob

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

I'm giving this three stars because it is still a well-made screw and does its job. HOWEVER, if you have never used these or the new hangars on the express, don't get these to save the extra money. When you're pumped and sketched out on a vertical pitch, you do not want to spend extra time cranking this thing in. If you only climb glaciers or low angle ice and want running protection, then I might recommend this. Not for vertical ice though.

Paul Larson

good and simple

Have a few of these in the 13cm length to supplement a rack of screws with quick placing knobs. Very smooth to place, not too bad without the knob, once started you can use the palm of your hand with pretty good speed.

Christopher Christopherson

Good Screws

I've used these and the BD express quite a bit. I like the handle on the exress a lot, but not sure if it justifies the added $20 price tag. If it's a difference between having enough screws or not, then go with these otherwise maybe try to build up using the Express so you can have the better hanger and handle to drive the screw in nice and fast.

Ryan Hamilton

How to Place an Ice Screw with Stephen Koch

Backcountry.com athlete Stephen Koch demonstrates how to place an ice screw while ice climbing. www.stephenkoch.com

Stephen Koch

Old school for the win

Used the 19s to place numerous running belays on icy sections of Bolam Glacier, Mount Shasta. They worked great. Maybe the handles would be necessary for ice climbing, but for general mountaineering the turbos are a cinch to place for an extra level of safety on that touchy icy stretch. I like 'em.

Ian L.

Alpine Ice

BD screw in winter alpine ice, Chamonix.

Dane

Not so good....

Lack of a winding knob makes thisi screw obsolete. Save your money and get a knob.

Dane

Good

Quality product. Vertical ice was sloppy one day and brittle hard the next but the screws worked well in both cases and I felt secure. I also had the fancy BD version with the folding knob and used both equally and with the same amount of ease/comfort.

DTrusilo

Excellent Skrew

Have only used for mountaineering on a glacier, and glacier ice climbing, but I was very happy with the ease of placement. After using both these and the expresses I would really say there is no need to get them unless you need extra fancy systems to skrew your ice skrews in. Not necessary at all though

Brian Muller

Review Title

Always keep a 22cm on my glacier rack for building V threads. Can't beat it for the price.

Benji R.

Black Diamond Turbo Ice Screws

This is a great screw and my favorite of different ice screws I have. It is really easy to place. The teeth are still razor sharp after two seasons of climbing on it. There are no signs of major wear. For the money it is your best bet. I prefer these over the new express screws. It only takes a few more seconds to place these.

Chris

pit bulls

These are great, very simple, reliable style, great for glacier and ice climbing. Great value and great quality.

Marie F.

sturdy

These are great screws. They are a simple old style, and razor sharp, the will last a very long time thats for sure

Marie F.

Great performer; old-school style.

Even if these screws place more slowly than every other screw, they are still great for setting up a belay or TR, and we save on the price. A nice price point screw!

Desert Backpacker

The king of screws

Black Diamond screws are the best hands down. Petzl's may have all sorts of gimicks, Grivels feel a bit sharper when new, and OP screws might be a bit easier on the wallet, but for long term use, and a screw that keeps its bite year after year, these are the goods.

summerprophet

Write your question here...We're going to...

Write your question here...We're going to Ouray in early February. I'd like to get my husband a few new screws. What are the best lengths?

Diana

What size? I'll probably only be in 4...

What size? I'll probably only be in 4 person teams, on the temperate glaciers of the Pacific northwest. I was going to pick the 19cm just because I assume longer ensures a better "bite" but the 22cm might be overkill. I don't ever plan on doing any vertical climbing. Any advice for a newbie? Thanks!

Justin H