Carbon Fiber Black Prophet
- Tool head takes components via simple screw-and-groove system that’s field-maintainable.
- The durable steel head puts additional weight up high, adding punch to your swing.
- Hourglass handle and rubber coating improve grip.
- Carbon fiber shaft dampens vibration.
- Steel spike features a carabiner hole.
- Available in straight and bent shaft.
- Use with Black Diamond Cobra and Alaska picks.
- Leash not included.
- Alaska Mountaineering & Hiking (1997): "The best swinging tool we have ever used."
- Alaska Mountaineering & Hiking (1997): "Black Diamond picks are by far the best we have used."
- Alaska Mountaineering & Hiking (2002): "Black Diamond makes the best off the shelf picks period."
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Reviews
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NYC007 - Feb 23, 2003 3:54 pm - Voted 4/5
Untitled Review
These tools have a sweet and natural swing to them. They are a classic ice tool, never the less, but everyone knows that. I liked the tools alot, I would prefer these over all the BD ice tools. Its too bad I have small hand and get pumped fast with these tools, cuz I would own a pair.
STW - Sep 29, 2003 4:12 pm - Voted 4/5
Untitled Review
I've had my set for 3 or 4 years now and I still love them. They've probably been eclipsed a bit by the latest fancy technology, but for my purposes, they're still great tools.
I climb mostly moderate ice (grade 3 and 4 - occasionally a 5). These things swing so sweetly on vertical and less than vertical ice that I just love them. Certainly, if you're climbing overhanging routes with god-awful mushrooms, having some extra clearance at the head is a great thing. Get some Cobra's or one of the other new-fangled tools. That said, these tools do hook very well. They can get you up anything.
Also, the BD picks are awesome. I use the latest generation Cobra picks on my old CFBPs and get all the benefits of the latest pick design. I swap to the 'Alaska' picks for lower angle alpine ice and gullies - they work great!
The key question in my mind: are you a swinger? or a wrist-flicker? If you're a swinger, these are awesome tools. They plant extremely well with a very natural swinging motion. If you're more of a wrist-flicker, you might like something with more of a radical shaft design.
I climb mostly moderate ice (grade 3 and 4 - occasionally a 5). These things swing so sweetly on vertical and less than vertical ice that I just love them. Certainly, if you're climbing overhanging routes with god-awful mushrooms, having some extra clearance at the head is a great thing. Get some Cobra's or one of the other new-fangled tools. That said, these tools do hook very well. They can get you up anything.
Also, the BD picks are awesome. I use the latest generation Cobra picks on my old CFBPs and get all the benefits of the latest pick design. I swap to the 'Alaska' picks for lower angle alpine ice and gullies - they work great!
The key question in my mind: are you a swinger? or a wrist-flicker? If you're a swinger, these are awesome tools. They plant extremely well with a very natural swinging motion. If you're more of a wrist-flicker, you might like something with more of a radical shaft design.
UncleBob - Mar 13, 2007 2:22 pm - Voted 5/5
Aluminum black prophet
This review is for the aluminum version, which is almost identical save for the weight.
I first learned to climb on the prophets, and after a few years and many other tools I came back to them as my go-to tool for anything less than grade 4. It is supreme on low angled ice. The rubber coated hourglass shaft give you loads of confidence in low dagger position and lets you shove that heavy black bastard into the ice with authority. A tool equally at home on a bronze age battle field as it is in the mountains, it is too big for small hands but if you're a "seal clubber" like me, you love this tool because wether you are pumped or tired, when this thing hits the ice, the ice knows it and is afraid.
I first learned to climb on the prophets, and after a few years and many other tools I came back to them as my go-to tool for anything less than grade 4. It is supreme on low angled ice. The rubber coated hourglass shaft give you loads of confidence in low dagger position and lets you shove that heavy black bastard into the ice with authority. A tool equally at home on a bronze age battle field as it is in the mountains, it is too big for small hands but if you're a "seal clubber" like me, you love this tool because wether you are pumped or tired, when this thing hits the ice, the ice knows it and is afraid.
Viewing: 1-4 of 4 |
Vinny - Jul 10, 2002 7:43 am - Voted 5/5
Untitled ReviewHowever the detachable leash is a great feature for at least a primary hand.
Very expensive.