Black Diamond Venom Review

Likes
I like that you can buy a Black Diamond Venom with an adze or hammer as well as with a classic pick or reverse curve tech pick. It also comes with a leash in all models. This axe is comfortable to hold no matter which way you carry it and second only to the Black Diamond Raven. The shaft is featured with a rubber grip on the lower section to provide better grip when swinging on steeper routes. The classic pick self-arrests promptly and the reverse curve pick climbed ice second best and only slightly behind the Petzl Sum'Tec. As with other ice axes with a slight bend, I enjoy the added "power" while self arresting. The reverse curve wasn't as dramatic as the Sum'Tec and thus self-arrested better. It is also the least expensive curved shaft axe I tested, cheaper than a Grivel Evolution or a Petzl Summit. The Venom's adze chopped steps and tent platforms a little better than a Snow Walker or a CAMP Neve and not quite as well as a Sum'Tec. It also has a very convenient hole in its head and the middle of its adze to help with making a snow anchors or standing ice axe belays. It was one of the most convenient ice axes to improvise an anchor with.

Dislikes
The Venom is the heaviest ice axe I tested and the picks are less durable than on a few other models tested that had hot-forged picks. The rubber on the lower shaft gets beat up quickly, although this was never a real problem.

Best Application
The Venom is more at home in steeper terrain. It climbs ice well on its own, paired with an ice tool, or paired with an ice axe. It is for steeper routes where you need to penetrates hard ice well and for climbers who don't mind a couple extra ounces in weight. Being on the heavier side, it isn't ideal for ski mountaineers, early season backpackers, or alpine rock climbers. With its classic pick, it can be a great ice axe for general mountaineering applications and for more challenging snow and ice routes.

Value
For those on a budget, it is $33 less expensive than the similar Petzl Sum'Tec and only one ounce heavier. It also is available with a classic pick, which many similar axes do not offer. It is also the least expensive of all the ice axes I tested to sport a curved shaft. This makes it a great option for climbers on a budget looking for a more aggressive ice axe that could also be considered a cheap ice tool for moderate waterfall and alpine ice.