Which mountaineering axe - Grivel MB Pamir or BD Raven?

Bit of an odd situation here. I found a nearly brand new BD Raven last year on a descent trail. Spent a few weeks trying to find the owner, but came up dry. I already have a Grivel Pamir of the same length, which has been fine for the very few times I've actually needed it. Never had to self arrest (though I've practiced a few times for good measure), and never used it to climb ice (I have Nomics for that), so I really have no idea how it performs (or how it should perform). But as I look to the future, it isn't unreasonable to think I might spend time on terrain that merits a good axe.

So here's my question - which axe should I keep, and which should I sell? I know the BD is newer and lighter, but it's also the cheapest thing on the market. The Grivel is older but seems like it was a pretty solid choice in its day. Does it even matter?

Light is right... Basically they are the same axe & size and when choosing between two items almost always lean toward the lighter one!

Lighter isn't always the best choice.
When carving out a tent platform on Denali the Raven pro (lighter)
barely made a dent while the Raven regular chopped away much
more easily. It depends on its ultimate use.

Should have been using a steel spade.

Go with the light axe. The more you climb the less you will be on routes requiring (only) a single standard axe. You'll end up using the standard on basic glacier stuff and will appreciate the lighter weight on the approach.

Steve Williams wrote:Lighter isn't always the best choice. When carving out a tent platform on Denali the Raven pro (lighter) barely made a dent while the Raven regular chopped away much more easily. It depends on its ultimate use.

The Raven pro has a smaller adze, which explains this.

About what I expected in terms of advice - and lightweight is always my bias! Thanks all!

Lighter Axe is the best choice forever.......

Not to beat the horse...but light. Any weight you can save will make your day that much better.

Steve Williams wrote:Lighter isn't always the best choice. When carving out a tent platform on Denali the Raven pro (lighter) barely made a dent while the Raven regular chopped away much more easily. It depends on its ultimate use.

Good counterpoint Steve, and thanks. Seems like the Raven is a fine choice. My underlying questions was whether or not it was sufficiently better than the Pamir to merit not selling it, given that the older Pamir probably won't see a lot of demand.

I like to girth hitch a double runner to the axe for a leash. The fileted out section at the top of the shaft on bd raven helps keep it in place, beats the alternative of putting it through a hole on the grivel. Might sound like a small difference, but it makes for a more versatile attachment point. Also it feels better in my hand than having the knot/leash attached to the pick.

Emmett Lyman wrote:My underlying questions was whether or not it was sufficiently better than the Pamir to merit not selling it, given that the older Pamir probably won't see a lot of demand.

That was going to be my other point. For $5 you might as well keep it as a back up or to loan out to a friend.

The raven is probably easier to hold on to as well. I like the BD axes in that regard.

I have the Raven Pro. Light is right, and easy on the hands. Just make a grip for it to keep your hand warmer!

Ryan R wrote:I have the Raven Pro. Light is right, and easy on the hands. Just make a grip for it to keep your hand warmer!

Cool - is there something special in terms of "making a grip"? In the past I've just wrapped the webbing around a few times to keep my palm off the metal.

Another vote for the Raven, not for the weight, but for the better grip when you're holding the top of the axe.

I really don't understand why you are asking others, since you own both. Why don't you just keep the one YOU like?

Emmett Lyman wrote: Cool - is there something special in terms of "making a grip"? In the past I've just wrapped the webbing around a few times to keep my palm off the metal.

I took a piece of foam pipe insulation (the kind for copper pipes) and duct taped it to the top. nice and padded and helps to keep your hand a bit warmer, since it lessens the heat conducted out of your hand. I have issues with my hands, so I gotta take every trick I can get!