There are some mixed opinions on the whippet but I have found it to be a very versatile and useful backcountry tool.
Uses other than self-arresting:
- Cutting out snowpits
- scraping snow off ski top sheets while moving
- opening a beer
- flipping heel risers
- cleaning ice out of bindings
- hooking a tree on really steep icy skin tracks
- camming into rock cracks to pull through waist deep snow in a couloir.
I've only had to use it once in a fall while skiing and it did its job slowing me down enough to get my skis back under my feet at miss hitting a bunch of rocks
Black Diamond Carbon Whippet
The Carbon Whippet is the high-tech big brother of the iconic Whippet. If you enjoy steep skiing and haven’t tried a Whippet yet, then you are missing out. If you have tried a Whippet, then you know handy they are in just about every situation. This iteration of the iconic staple of ski mountaineering features a totally removable Whippet head for unmatched versatility in any terrain.
Chances are good that if you are reading this you are well aware that, just like the weather and conditions, plans change. Sometimes you don’t know that the snow won’t be stable enough to go ski something until you’re already out there, but you’d rather not ski high speed trees with a knife in your hand. Sometimes the snow is so stable while meadow skipping that it’s enticing to safely cherry pick some of the neighboring chutes, but you didn’t bring your Whippet so it’s probably not a good idea. With the new Whippet you have even more freedom to move in the mountains without having to compromise on anything. Remove the head and stash it in your pack for lower angle terrain and quickly thread it on for increased security when the slope angle increases beyond your comfort zone.
- Carbon lower is more resistant to bending.
- FlickLock Pro adjustment levers keep you skiing with 100-140cm poles.
- Burly 18mm aluminum upper and carbon fiber lowers are versatile and offer a massive size range.
- Incredibly useful ¾ baskets provides better hard-snow purchase and reduce slip-outs while poling.
* Please note Whippets are priced and sold individually, not as a pair.
Update 2018/19: The Carbon Whippet lost a section (it's now a two-piece) and the axe head became removeable
Update 2019/20: New FlickLock Pro adjusters are made with aluminum and feature an easier-to-use design. BD also added indexed baskets, meaning they put a tab on the basket which fits into a groove on the base of your 19/20 BD poles, holding the basket in place and eliminating spinning baskets. This update means that BD's new indexed baskets don't fit older BD poles, but older BD baskets do fit onto the new poles (albeit without the spin-resistance).
| Specifications | |
| Lengths (cm) | Adjustable 100-140 |
|
Weight |
442g |
| Weight (pair) | 884g |
| Sections | 2 |
| Grip | Dual density plastic/rubber |
| Basket & Tip | Indexed 3/4 powder basket, carbide tip |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
|
|
Aluminum upper, carbon lower, stainless pick |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Too many to list |
| Notes | The universal necessity in high performance ski mountaineering |
| Bottom Line | Versatile ski mountaineering staple |
| Compare to other Adjustable Ski Poles | |
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Questions & Reviews
Comment on this review:
8/27/2022
I'm wondering why anyone would buy the carbon version of this whippet vs the aluminum.
On Black Diamond's website, the carbon version is 443g, whereas the aluminum version is 452g. The carbon version packs down to 99cm, whereas the aluminum version packs down to 64cm. The specs on skimo.co seems to corroborate these numbers.
It seems the aluminum version is $40 cheaper for a more packable version with almost the same weight (and arguably more durable material?).
On Black Diamond's website, the carbon version is 443g, whereas the aluminum version is 452g. The carbon version packs down to 99cm, whereas the aluminum version packs down to 64cm. The specs on skimo.co seems to corroborate these numbers.
It seems the aluminum version is $40 cheaper for a more packable version with almost the same weight (and arguably more durable material?).
Reply to this comment:
4/20/2022
Does anyone know why they switched to the two piece ? Is it less likely to break because carbon is more prone to snapping in half?
Debating buying one of these or two of the WR 3 piece carbon pole with whippet attachment for better pack ability. I don’t want to do that if that would give me an inferior whippet pole. What does everyone think as the gold standard for pole to go with whippet now that they have the WR attachment on most of their pole?
Debating buying one of these or two of the WR 3 piece carbon pole with whippet attachment for better pack ability. I don’t want to do that if that would give me an inferior whippet pole. What does everyone think as the gold standard for pole to go with whippet now that they have the WR attachment on most of their pole?
4/20/2022
Thanks for reaching out, Hillary. We haven't heard of any issues with current or previous designs regarding durability and we happily ski them all. Counterintuitively, the older carbon whippets weighed more than the older aluminum versions since they had an extra segment, so BD ended up swapping the design. If you want a lighter whippet, go with the current two-piece carbon. If you want a more packable pole, go with the current three-piece aluminum. Black Diamond has a few poles that are Whippet Ready (WR), which are the Whippet Ski pole or Traverse WR 2 ski pole. In our experience, both work quite well!
Answer this question:
5/17/2021
You state that the carbon version packs down smaller than the aluminum version. Is that still true, now that the carbon is only a 2-piece? Can you give the packed size for each?
5/18/2021
Eric, thanks for pointing that out, we'll have to make some changes. The aluminum will pack down to 26" and the carbon is now 39-1/2" retracted.
Answer this question:
12/5/2018
What are your recommendations for a single pole to pair with a Whippet? It seems odd that BD doesn't sell a pair made up of one Whippet matched with a non-Whippet carbon two-piece pole. Instead, is the only option to buy a separate pair of carbon poles, and wind up with three poles (and the expense of a pair in addition to the Whippet)?
Sure, I could pair a single Whippet pole with one of my ancient beat-up Traverse poles, but I was hoping to replace that pair this season. Thanks!
Sure, I could pair a single Whippet pole with one of my ancient beat-up Traverse poles, but I was hoping to replace that pair this season. Thanks!
12/5/2018
12/5/2018
Thanks Trace! I was considering doing that. It would be nice to have two poles with the carbon lower section, though. Maybe I could beg BD to sell me just a carbon lower so I'd have a pair that matches.
12/10/2018
Hey James! Ha! Never hurts to ask. Go for it!!
Answer this question:
Super useful tool. Gives a great feeling of security on those steep, exposed switchbacks and beats carrying an axe when you probably won't need one. I've even climbed ice with mine while swinging a full on alpine tool with my other hand. It wasn't ideal, but I also didn't die, so that says a lot about the whippet.
Also useful for manipulating toe levers, heel risers and partners or clients who annoy you...
Also useful for manipulating toe levers, heel risers and partners or clients who annoy you...
Comment on this review:
A great spring skiing tool. It is a great ski pole. Balance, durability, comfort all leave no room to complain. The reason you buy it though is for the pick. That has been only psychological protection so far which is nice but it has allowed me to venture with a little more confidence to places where I would have paused last year.
The features I like best are:
-Wrist strap is very comfortable and ergonomic either in traditional ski pole grip position or in "piolet canne" (hand on top of tool). The strap is also very secure- you have to loosen it to remove it which is reassuring- it will stay with you in a fall!
-The 3 piece shaft compacts enough to make this pole still useful in hand even on very steep snow slopes. In fact I have not taken out my axe while this pole has been in hand. Im sure that might change at some point this spring but you get the idea- a very useful tool and if you can safely leave the axe at home think of the grams you shave!
-The included point protector. Sounds lame but I ski most of the time with this nicely designed little thing covering the pick. I only take it off where I feel I may need to self arrest (kind of like not leaving crampons on when not needed- always minimize the ways you can mess yourself up). An accidental fall on the pick would be ugly so may as well be careful... Shift the cord lock around to near the point protector and you will never be annoyed by this little thing while skiing.
-The flick lock has come a long way, these are way nicer than on my ancient Traverses. If I had one minor gripe it would be that at least on my flick locks, one of the tension screws that adjusts how tight they lock seems to work loose every once in a while even with blue thread lock. YMMV but Im guessing you bring along a small flathead anyway so you may get to use it!
The features I like best are:
-Wrist strap is very comfortable and ergonomic either in traditional ski pole grip position or in "piolet canne" (hand on top of tool). The strap is also very secure- you have to loosen it to remove it which is reassuring- it will stay with you in a fall!
-The 3 piece shaft compacts enough to make this pole still useful in hand even on very steep snow slopes. In fact I have not taken out my axe while this pole has been in hand. Im sure that might change at some point this spring but you get the idea- a very useful tool and if you can safely leave the axe at home think of the grams you shave!
-The included point protector. Sounds lame but I ski most of the time with this nicely designed little thing covering the pick. I only take it off where I feel I may need to self arrest (kind of like not leaving crampons on when not needed- always minimize the ways you can mess yourself up). An accidental fall on the pick would be ugly so may as well be careful... Shift the cord lock around to near the point protector and you will never be annoyed by this little thing while skiing.
-The flick lock has come a long way, these are way nicer than on my ancient Traverses. If I had one minor gripe it would be that at least on my flick locks, one of the tension screws that adjusts how tight they lock seems to work loose every once in a while even with blue thread lock. YMMV but Im guessing you bring along a small flathead anyway so you may get to use it!
Comment on this review:
I use this tool just about every day. My only complaint is about the weight since the word carbon in the name should denote a lighter version. Regardless, I take it with me as I feel the uses of the adze outweigh any weight penalties. I've used it to remove snow from bindings, as a screw driver, and for a dozen other applications that don't have much to do with actual skiing. When skiing though, it is most useful on the up, to increase security on steep firm snow. On the down, it's a nice mental crutch as well.
Also, I believe it comes with a full basket. I prefer half baskets so cut part off with a knife and now it's perfect.
Also, I believe it comes with a full basket. I prefer half baskets so cut part off with a knife and now it's perfect.
Comment on this review:
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