Which Ice Axe

[cathyjc]

Not quite in realm of lightweight backpacking but I'm pretty sure some of you on here can offer some expertise :-

My ice axe is AWOL and I don't know when I'll get it back. A new one would not be out of order anyway. I'm a walker, not a climber. I only carry/need an ice axe 3-4 times a year - more carrying than using. Lightweight would be good but I'm not spending silly money either. These are the options I've come up with. Comments, positive and negative please.

https://www.freezeproshop.com/black-diamond-raven-ultra-ice-axe/size:27319

http://www.outdoorgb.com/p/grivel_haute_route_ice_axes/?SelectedItem=569392

http://www.outdoorgb.com/p/camps_corsa_axe/?SelectedItem=627116

http://www.ellis-brigham.com/products/petzl/glacier-literide-ice-axes/122505

Thanks

 

[EM - Ross]

I went in to Needle Sports to buy a Corsa & came out with the heavier Raven Ultra. Having seen it & held it I wouldn't like to trust the Corsa in a fall. Plenty folk do though. I would never practice with it as the aluminium is fragile compared to the others. The market it's aimed at - racers - have to carry an ice axe as required kit & this was designed to meet the minimum requirements of the rules.

I've not used the Raven in anger yet but Needle Sports rate it & it's a good seller there.

I've got a ice axe going free. You can have 1st dibs. It's a Stubai & has been shortened & the head re-riveted to the shaft by a blacksmith mate.
It weighs just over 700g with sling. 63cm length.

If you don't want it - first come first served

 

[cathyjc]

Raven Ultra versus Corsa - nice to have a 'hands on' opinion
The Stubai is heavier than I want and too long, I think. But thanks anyways.

 

[Teepee]

All pretty similar if your not using them much. Depends on how much step chopping your going to do.

More step chopping etc and able to take a little more practice use brings the steel headed axes into play more.

I wanted a mix and trust Grivel, so went for the old style Grivel racing Air Tech. It felt better in my hand than the others and the length was right. The new model has a slightly curved shaft.

 

[kiltedpict]

I have one in the garage I never got round to using- I got it off a mate but think it's too short for me- ill measure it and take picks for you later today but you can have it if it suits.

Ross- if yours is a better length for me and Cathyjc wants mine, I'd be interested mate.

 

[edh]

I've been using the BD Raven Pro on day-trips for 6-7 years and find it a fine axe.

Use the Camp Corsa for backpacking - another good axe, but as Ross implies, with limitations. Low weight means it might be a bit 'skippy' on hard surfaces - and you certainly need more 'oomph' to deploy it - which does become tiring. I would trust it in a fall.

I also have one of these for 'nothing too much expected' forays.

 

[tom]

Cathy, from your description of intended use - and assuming multi-day hikes - something minimalist might be quite enough? I found this grivel ultralight (50cm, 206gr) last spring in Italy and it served me well to get across the odd short tricky section where I might have turned around without it (or taken some stupid risk). Its been a good confidence booster but also made a good anchor when moving slowly. It may be earlier model of the Grivel Haute Route. I think I paid 70 Euros.

 

[edh]

See OM

 

[cathyjc]

Settled for the BD Raven Ultra :- pros = good pick and adze, well made, good balanced swing . cons = no proper spike - just a 'cut off' point .

Camp Corsa - probably not really what I want.

Grivel Haute route - just doesn't feel as good quality made as the BD Raven.

Petzel Glacier Literide - nice pick and adze, proper spike, pretty colour , as nice as the Raven but really uncomfortable to hold - the pick is too deep top to bottom and my fingers cannot stretch around to grip properly . I have smallish hands but long fingers so shouldn't have been a problem - but it cost them a sale.

Thanks for the help.

PS and the Raven turned out the cheapest too

 

[Diddi]

I've been using the BD Raven Pro on day-trips for 6-7 years and find it a fine axe.

Use the Camp Corsa for backpacking - another good axe, but as Ross implies, with limitations. Low weight means it might be a bit 'skippy' on hard surfaces - and you certainly need more 'oomph' to deploy it - which does become tiring. I would trust it in a fall.

I also have one of these for 'nothing too much expected' forays.

Is that the one you used up on Eagle crag/Nethermost Pike?
You did seem to struggle with that lightweight one

 

[edh]

It is. Thanks Dude

Say no more.....

 

[Diddi]

Yep that's me chuckling away at you
And lagging behind making sure Mrs Diddi was ok on her first ever winter walk.
Was a good day.

 

[theoctagon]

Wasn't @paul selling a raven ultra?

 

[EM - paul]

I am Matt, must get it on ebay as it died a death on here

 

[Teepee]

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