The Blue Star is a simple and sturdy axe, and we all found it one of the better models in the test. It has a nice balance between head and shaft for good swinging. The teeth on the pick, however, are very shallow and after a few years of bashing could wear out. I prefer deeper teeth because they give better purchase in steep snow or glacier ice.

Like the Lucky and Hugh Banner axes, the pick had positive clearance, which is good for climbing and fine for self-arresting in soft snow, but I didn't try self-arresting in harder snow or ice where the pick could suddenly catch. The adze performed well for chopping ledges, and the durable shaft slid easily into hard snow for probing and belaying. The spike has a carabiner hole for anchoring. The Blue Star is, however, one of the more pricey axes in the test.

Weight (70 cm): 1 pound, 9 ounces
UIAA rating: T
Price: $90
Pro: Sturdy and well balanced.
Con: Positive clearance pick with shallow teeth; high price.
Self-arrest: 3.5
Steep snow climbing: 3.5
Durability: 3.5
(Rating scale, 1  5: 1 = poor, 3 = average, 5 = excellent)
Comparative Ratings Chart

For more information: Advance Base Camp, (888) 902-5462

Move on to Comparative Ratings

Return to Top