Black Diamond - Raven Ice Axe With Grip - Ice axe tested

I have used this axe for 2 years now. Walking and Grade 1/2 terrain in Scotland. Fantastic axe that does everything it is supposed to do. I bought the largest variation and am 6’3. This worked well for me.

As far as straight handled mountaineering axes go this one is brilliant. super light but the construction feels good, the forged axe head is particularly nice and feels great to hold. However I wish I got the pro version, partly for the even lighter construction, but mostly because of the lack of a rubber grip. I feel like it is the one main flaw I've had with this product as I have managed to mar and slice parts of the rubber when using the axe to clear snow buildup from my crampons. I also feel it is a little unnecessary as I hardly even find myself holding the axe right at the bottom of the handle. I like the rubber grips on my other shorter technical axes as it gives that little extra grip when on the real steep and technical stuff, but for general mountaineering I wish it had a full metal handle with cut grooves for extra grip like the raven pro has.