4 Black Diamond Raven Grip Review

Reviewer: stuart hadden, danderhall   (21-2-2012)

Having used a combination of a walking pole and a short technical axe for the last twenty odd years including Mountain Rescue and Search Dog work, I shopped around for a longer more comfortable axe for more general walking/mountaineering and this one seemed to fit the bill, not too pricey, long enough that I didn't have to bend over so far when cutting steps and fairly lightweight. I used the axe within two days of receiving it, on a weekend in the Cairngorms, and have mixed feelings which may mean revising my techniques a bit.

Firstly, the walking pole has been ditched as the Raven grip is long enough to be used on moderate slopes,second, it's light enough that I hardly notice carrying it and third,it is very easy to carry comfortably, on the other hand, it's very lightness means I have to swing it a lot harder to cut steps in ice than my old heavier axe, and the adze is half the width of my old Simond Barracuda meaning I've got to swing it twice as much to dig the same size of step in snow, all this I can accept and deal with but my only real complaint is that the adze on the Black Diamond is showing more wear after one weekend than the adze on the Simond is showing after years of use.

Are modern lightweight materials really that much inferior to older material? I'm going to keep using both axes and use the BD for less demanding stuff,

5 Black Diamond Raven Grip Review

Reviewer: Mick O'Connell, Killarney   (24-1-2009)

As a newcomer to the world of ice axes, I read a lot of reviews and got a lot of varied 'word-of-mouth' advice on what model and length of axe to get. I settled on the 65cm Black Diamond Raven Grip and having used it on steep slopes and grade 1/2 gullies I am delighted with it's performance. The shaped head makes it a pleasure to hold when using the axe for support while walking, especially on steep snow slopes or snow covered boulder fields. Weight is minimal and the slider leash works perfectly, even with bulky gloves on. Personally, I think the longer handle version is ideal for a 'varied use' axe and I opted for the 65cm (I'm 5' 11") which proved its worth on deeper powdery snow. The handle grip is a useful touch especially the way it's recessed and level with the rest of the handle. It's hard to fault this axe, if I could change one thing I'd prefer a solid axe blade on the rare occasions when a bit of digging might be required. All in all a great buy and for the sake of a few pounds extra it's worth getting the BD axe and spike protectors. When my Raven needs replacing, I reckon I'll be going for the same again!