If you need a mountain axe and are looking for light weight, such as ski mountaineers this is a good direction to begin looking. Black diamond has kept it simple with this clean design. The handle is comfortable to hold onto the shape of the handle is rounded, you can notice it if you check out the video. You can really feel the weight of this axe or should I say lack there of when you are holding onto it for a long period of time.
The axes spade could be a little bigger I found since the whole unit has been paired down for weight this has also shrunk quite a bit.
If you are thinking of going lightweight another company producing lightweight mountain gear is Camp.
Great lightweight and full-use ice axe. Where many of the uber-ultra-lightweight axes out there aren't strong enough to handle the rigors of mountaineering (i.e., using them as deadman anchors), the Raven Pro keeps those options in play. Abuse it all you want. Head shape fits perfectly in the hand - as does the shaft when in dagger or frontpointing position - and both holes (head and spike) accept most 'biners. I don't mind the smaller adze, it's just part of the package with lightweight axes.
Poor color choice for a tool that's meant to be used in the snow.
