What Our Gearhead(R) Experts Are Saying:"The Blackbird is the axe I recommend to anyone just getting into mountaineering - it covers the fundamentals without overcomplicating things. The chromoly steel head bites reliably on glaciated terrain and firm snow aprons, and the dual-textured aluminum shaft gives a secure grip whether you're plunging it for a self-arrest or swinging it overhead. The included pick, adze, and spike protectors are a practical touch that saves your pack and your gear bag."The first time you swing an ice axe into a firm neve slope and feel it set, something clicks. The Blue Ice Blackbird Ice Axe is the tool that introduces mountaineers to that feeling - a classic straight-shafted piolet designed for glacier travel, snow aprons, and the kind of non-technical alpine terrain where a reliable axe is the difference between confident movement and white-knuckled uncertainty. Blue Ice built it to be approachable without cutting corners on the pieces that matter most. The chromoly steel head delivers the bite and durability that high-mountain conditions demand, with a pick that holds on hard snow and an adze that works for step-cutting and self-arrest alike. The aircraft-grade aluminum shaft keeps the overall weight at just 11. 6 ounces, and the dual-textured grip gives a secure hold through gloves in wet or cold conditions. Protectors for the pick, adze, and spike come included, keeping the sharp ends covered during the approach and in transit. Available in four lengths to match height and intended terrain, the Blackbird is a straightforward, well-made starting point for anyone stepping onto their first serious mountain.