Corsa Nanotech Ice Axe

[danmcph]

I bought one for ski mountaineering for when I "might" need one. I have found myself taking it everytime over my traditional all steel head BD Raven. I have only carried it, never had to chop a bollard, get up hard (hardness, not technical difficulty) ice etc with it.

 

My thought is that I would more likely than not use it for everything that I don't use my Quarks for and would sell the heavier, steel BD Raven Pro.

 

Am I short changing myself by doing this? Any realistic situations that I would want the Raven instead of the Nanotech?

[Luzak00]

What length is your Corsa Nanotech versus Raven Pro?

 

It really depends what you're doing. The Nanotech covers a lot of ground, and certainly is serviceable as a piolet. The Raven Pro is a better tool if you know you'll be exclusively in Piolet Canne, so on a lot of Rainier routes for example.

 

Ski mountaineering, the Nanotech wins. It's lighter and will do everything you need from it. For more classic mountaineering (more walk-ups), the Raven Pro is better.

 

The question is how often do you find yourself reaching for the Raven Pro, and does that justify keeping it around. I sold mine over a year ago, and haven't regretted it a single day out in the mountains (I reach for a Venom as my moderate axe).

[danmcph]

Corsa is 50cm Raven is 60cm.

 

What are your thoughts as to why the Raven is better for walk ups?

 

Just trying to pick your brain.

[Luzak00]

The Raven balances better IMO, and I trust the head more if I'd need to self-arrest. Generally, the longer length means you can more comfortably use the axe in piolet canne in lower-angled slopes.

 

If a slope is steep enough to comfortably use your Nanotech (50cm), then perhaps the Raven's greatest advantage is lost.

[keenwesh]

I'd hang onto your raven, axes with the aluminum spike aren't worth shit in hard snow or glacial ice. As the season progresses a steel spike makes all the difference. I use a BD venom, it's lightweight and is really nice to have on those steep snow couliors.

[danmcph]

The Nanotech has a steel spike. Steel tip on the end of the pick and alum adze

[Coldfinger]

Yep, old fashioned shaft plunging, there is your reason.

 

Sounds funny but I am serious. Don't use a longer axe anymore as I prefer poles (again serious), but the big question is length. Nowadays I only worry on steep snow and for once less shaft length is better. Seems easier ergonomically speaking to plunge a shorter and staighter shaft to the head on a steep slope. As you have two curved tools I would keep at least one straight shafted axe. 55cm seems a good length. Am selling my Corsa Nanotech only as I have two Matrix Lights and a shorty raven and I take the Grivel tools when there is any non snow climbing to be done. Big props to the Nano though, in the end just do what you like.

[pac man]

I have used the Corsa Nanotech ice axe, and if I were going to plunge the shaft often on a route I would take a different axe. The Corsa Nanotech has a narrow head that becomes quite sharp on the palm of your hand after many plunges.

 

Also I have noticed multiple Corsa Nanotech ice axes that have a small crack forming in the rivets attaching the steel point to the pick that doesn't inspire confidence in me. I doubt it would cause any issues, but who knows?

[pcg]

The Corsa Nanotech has a narrow head that becomes quite sharp on the palm of your hand after many plunges.

For less money and three more ounces (12 vs. 9) the BD Raven Ultra is far more comfy on the hand.