Crucial improvements on the Ride are the proper steel spike (exchangeable) for enhanced durability and the aluminium head / steel pick combination. The Venom LT's head, including the adze, is made of aluminium, while the business end (approx. 7cm / 3 inches) is made of fairly hard steel. Suprisingly, if you hit rocks, BD's steel deforms more easily than does Petzl's stainless steel on the Ride.
The Venom LT's pick is attached with a screw and is thus exchangeable. Aluminium is a soft metal, so do not expect much of the adze. Another downside is the small pick size, wich potentially compromises the axe's self-arrest performance.
The shaft offers grooves for better grip and the Venom LT classic does really well here. Petzl's Ride feels quite slippy when the terrain gets steep. BD's Venom LT feels very safe without a finger rest. Finally, if you have BD's Transfer LT shovel, you can us the Venom LT as the shovel's shaft, thereby saving you 200 grams in weight.
Overall, I highly recommend this axe. Like all mountaineering gear, it is a compromise. But one that will work well for all those who value light weight, while providing adequate performance.
