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Black Diamond Cobra

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Reviews	Views	Date of last review
5	17247	Fri Feb 22, 2008

Recommended By	Average Price	Average Rating
100% of reviewers	$237.50	9.2

supersize

Description:

Buy it at the Mountaineer.

Our best pure ice tool, the Cobra’s natural swing and lightness make it a superb choice for water ice and alpine climbing. Its carbon fiber shaft allows the majority of the weight to be centered in the head of the tool, which provides a vibration-free, precision swing every time. A high-clearance design inspires confidence and performs well on cauliflowered or tubed ice—while its shaft can still be easily driven into hard snow while alpine climbing. The Cobra comes with a Laser Pick and is an excellent choice for multi-pitch and thin, technical ice leads.

*Natural swing and lightness are superb for pure ice climbing
*Design keeps weight in head for precision swing
*High-clearance shaft offers excellent stability on featured ice
*Carbon fiber shaft dampens vibration

Technical Specifications:
Leash not included
Comes with Laser pick
Weight: 1 lb 9 oz

Author

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s.miller
green horn

Registered: Fri Nov 5, 2004
Posts: 38

Review Date: Fri Nov 5, 2004

Recommend? yes | Price paid: $175.00 | Rating: 9

Pros:	Carbon fiber shaft, good all around tool
Cons:	Large grip, leash not included, high retail price

Nice all around ice tool. Carbon fiber shaft dampens great and the laser pick sticks well (sometimes too well - Quarks clean much easier). Curved shaft provides decent clearance but plunges fine for self belays. Some folks complain about the large grip, but has never been a problem for me (and I have small hands). IMO, the simple BD single bolt pick attachment is the best system out there. Android leash works great, but clacks around. As a pure steep ice tool, I would pick the Quark over the Cobra, but still love the feel of the Cobra and its range of use.

Hans
leader

Registered: Fri Nov 5, 2004
Posts: 156

Review Date: Thu Jan 6, 2005

Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 8

Pros:	Very good placment in all ice
Cons:	A bit heavy

My second year using these tools. They are definitely on the heavy side compared to some of the newer tools around and the grip is a bit on the fat side for me and is dated compared to other tools around (no pinky rest). If I was to by new tools now I would not get these, there are better tools (Viper/Quark) out there for the money. Having said that they place very well, there is no vibration and minimal shattering and I don’t regret buying them, in fact I wouldn’t change swap them now as I am so use to them.

grammy
member

Registered: Tue Sep 13, 2005
Posts: 49

Review Date: Fri Mar 10, 2006

Recommend? yes | Price paid: $300.00 | Rating: 9

Pros:	Swing weight, carbon fiber shaft, easy to retool
Cons:	Picks are difficult on thin ice

This is my first season with the Cobras and I have no regrets (I would have graded this tool a 9.5 had that been an option). These tools are steep ice machines. It took a few outings to get the swing down as I had a tendency to overswing the tools. With the way the Cobras are weighted, all you need is a wrist flick and they are in. The recurved shaft protects vulnerable knuckles from bulges,they stick without vibration and bounce out far less frequently than my old tools, they are a breeze to retool and a pleasure to swing. These will always be in my quiver no doubt. I highly recommend these tools to beginners and experts alike. Match them with the android or lockdown leash and you are good to go! In today's market, they cost no more than other tools and their versatility on all terrains make this product a solid choice for the serious climber.

DrewD
Member

Registered: Thu Feb 22, 2007
Posts: 1

Review Date: Fri Mar 2, 2007

Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 10

Pros:	great swing; secure placement; best shaft angle I've used
Cons:	weight

have had no problems. this is the only tool I've owned, but I've used Aztars, Vipers, Quarks, Nomics, Taa-k-oons, and Cobras are my favorites. With the help of a knife and epoxy (and pointers from others) I retrofitted Viper Fangs so I can use these leashless. For vertical ice only, the quarks or nomics may be a bit better, but I really like the angle of the Cobra for self belay (even with the fangs they plunge quite well).

vasken
Beginner

Registered: Sun Sep 17, 2006
Posts: 16

Review Date: Fri Feb 22, 2008

Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 10

Pros:	Light, balance second to none, great for leashless, alpine & mixed
Cons:	Pricey!

I'm talking the new 2008 cobra. The first time I picked it up I heard angels singing! It's light (21oz), The feel/balance of the tool sets it apart from the pack. I love my Quarks, tried Nomics, but I would gladly give up my other axes for these tools. I've used them on thin ice, brittle ice, mixed climbing, low angle ice. They work great without leashes. AND I got them for $239 on sale at EMS! Astounding tools. Vasken

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