How to use Black Diamond ice tool and ice axe correctly, warnings, care, maintenance, transportation, inspection, lifespan and retirement with instructional pictures. Note: This is page two of document for instruction in foreign languages, page one has English instruction.
Swift
Description
The burliest of our piolets, and our only T-rated piolet, the Swift is the ultimate in classic mountaineering tools.
With an adjustable pommel and a T rating, the Black Diamond Swift takes mountaineering piolets into the 21st century. One-piece hot forged stainless steel head construction, ergonomic shaft and technical profile for performance in technical snow sections and the FlickLock™ pommel adds adjustability for varying terrain.
- Adjustable pommel
- Lightweight, modern and technical design
Retail price
US$ 199.95
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Weight (g / oz) Weight (g / oz)In grams and ounces, the weight, as stated by the manufacturer/brand. Since the most common ice axe length is 50cm that is the main length that we reference. When available, we list the weight for each length here. | 487 g / 17.20 oz 50 cm: 487 g / 17.2 oz |
Best UseBest UseUltralight MountaineeringThe lightest axes available, used most for ski mountaineering, adventure racing, and other "go light" ascents. 350 grams is usually the max weight. The decreased weight means they are axes are built for snow missions, not ice. MountaineeringThis is the most common type of snow mountaineering axe. These axes are above 350 grams and are a great balance of weight and durability. There may be a grip and they will always have an adze head (and no matching hammer pair). These axes are great for snow and can handle chopping steps in ice, or other small ice scenarios. Technical MountaineeringThese axes are for tougher conditions when the majority of climbing is on snow, but the axe needs to be able to handle a short ice wall. They generally have a bent shaft and T-rated (more technical) pick. Often these beefier axes will have a rubberized grip and they may have a matching adze and hammer version. They're basically the offspring of an ice axe and ice tool. |
Technical Mountaineering |
Length Options (cm)Length Options (cm)Measured in centimeters, the best length is based on your height and ape index (arm length). Holding the axe in your hand, the spike (sharp end) of the axe should arrive around your shin. At the max size, it should go to your ankle. Two people of the same height could need a different sized axe, based on arm length (t-rex vs monkey). If in-between sizes, our bias is towards sizing shorter. Rule of Thumb
Worth ConsideringThere are other resources online that suggest a longer axe is a plus and that you should measure below the ankle. We absolutely disagree. A longer axe means you'll be tempted to use it as a trekking pole (which will put you off balance), or you'll have to give your arm a huge workout just to lift it in and out of the snow. Ice axes are meant to be used on the uphill side, which is already much higher. |
50 cm, 57 cm, 64 cm |
Head DetailsHead DetailsThis refers to the back of the ice axe head (opposite the pick). 
For ice axes, adze's are (by far) the most common. An adze will allow you to break ice by chopping or shoveling in a specific area, and they also provide more room to hold on to the head than a hammer does. This grip helps for arresting too. Hammers are usually only used as a pair with an adze on the other axe (hammer's are much more common in ice tools than ice axes). A hammer uses a more broad force to break ice bulges. | Adze |
Ice RatingIce RatingThe certified rating of the pick and the shaft. These ratings might not match each other. There are only 2 possible shaft ratings: B / Type 1 / CEN-B: Basic | Pick: T / Type 2 Shaft: T / Type 2 |
MaterialsMaterialsThe materials, as stated by the manufacturer / brand, of the pick, head, shaft and grip. | Pick: Stainless Steel Head: Stainless Steel Shaft: Aluminum |
CertificationCertificationsThe main climbing gear certifications are CE and UIAA--and normally the UIAA creates the rules that the CE body also supports. When possible, we try to list all the certifications the product carries. To sell a climbing product in Europe, the device must be CE certified. There are no official requirements to sell climbing gear in the US. The UIAA certification is a voluntary process. For ice axes, there is a separate certification for the pick and the shaft. Learn MoreRock and Ice Certifications Guide |
CE, UIAA |
WarrantyWarrantyThis isn't super common, but sometimes the manufacturers will state a specific warranty such as "3 years against manufacturer defects" |
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The Black Diamond Swift is a stout ice axe that excels on complex glacier routes and steep snow climbs. It's burly, and its heft does have several benefits when it comes to digging snow anchors, pounding pickets, swinging it into firm snow, and inspiring confidence. With that said, it's not as versatile as other high scorers due to its weight. For those who have a lightweight axe in their quiver for alpine rock climbing or ski mountaineering, the Swift will complement it nicely; it's one of our favorites for technical or complex mountaineering objectives.
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