So, today I got a cover from Moosejaw for my new , BD , 90cm. Raven ice ax. MisQ., they sent the wrong piece. So, I called and arranged a return. But, in the meantime I had discovered that Camp USA a generic black rubber adz/ top/ pick cover and a similar tip cover. Thus, head protection and a softer hiking grip. Moosejaw stocks them , $4.95 and $1, plus shipping, ~$20 for three of each. I'll let you know if it works as planned.

Congrats! I've recently decided on an ambrela: http://real-self-defense.com/unbreakable-umbrella. Not really for icy conditions (California) but as a walking stick, pull up hook, sunshade.

Alex, I purchased the Unbreakable Umbrella several years ago, when I decided it was time to own a really good " grown up" , formal umbrella. It was/is a great investment. Classy, especially rolled in the included cover/sheath. Large enough for my wife and me, walking arm-in-arm. Blowout proof, but a bit balky on button opening. Damn near indestructible. Enjoy.

Returning to the main topic's subject, I'm thinking about wrapping the shaft of my new BD Raven, 90cm., in whole or part , with bike handlebar tape or racket grip tape. My goal is to improve my handgrip ( on the now bare aluminum shaft ) if I'm reaching out to hook the adz or pick onto a tree or rock, to steady myself while walking/ crossing/ climbing. Any one have any thoughts or suggestions or product suggestions?

None; use gloves. The 'hook the adz or pick onto a tree or rock' does sound like you are using the wrong tool for the job.

I carry both walking poles (knee doesn't like decending) and an ice axe when mountainering.

Tjin: Interesting comment re wrong tool for the job. I'm thinking to use my long Raven in place of a crookneck wood walking stick. My thought was that both have a pointy tip for grip in snow , scree & dirt. The angled pick can be used same as the wood crook, for "hooking on" or "grapple" to steady oneself in stepping up or over, as well as to dig in and anchor the tool. The addition of the adz to the tool, enables digging and (light) chopping. In your opinion, have I made a faulty plan?

An ice axe is a mountaineering tool for snow and ice. Designed to brake when your sliding down a slope, chop snow/ice steps, anchoring in snow (deadman anchors or driven in to the snow vertically) and as a third support when you need more support. Yes most climbers will poke the spike in rock too, since most routes are mixed snow/ice/rock.

The basic ones are fine for ice trails like douwalkabout mentioned.

But for scree and dirt? And to hook the adz or pick onto a tree or rock? If you are off the snow/ice and you are not just above a snow/ice slope, it’s time to pack away the ice axe. No reason to use pointy things when not needed. You must realize, hooking an ice tool and pulling yourself up on it, also means you are pulling a heavy pointy thing towards you when it slips.

Straight axes are not that great at hooking anything. The pick on a straight ice axe is for braking in snow. If you want to hook on to rock, you need a different pull and pick angle to prevent it from slipping. Yes, it probably won’t slip if there is a very aggressive angle on the rock, but unless you have a lots if fresh broken off rock, you probably have far less to hook on. So don't use an ice axe for these purposes.

I have spent a fair amount of time off trail bushwhacking doing field archaeology and SAR, and I don't think any implement of this sort will be of much use in that sort of situation. You will find you want as slim a profile as possible. An ice axe or even a walking stick is likely to be an encumbrance. I particularly would not want to go around hooking rocky outcrops. Your hands are the best implements for that task.

Just hands are often not long or strong enough. With an ice axe you could quickly dig a hole in ice or dirt to make a better grip point/stepping surface for your hand or leg. That's often a necessity even on well established trails.

There's a good reason they are called ice axes and not hiking axes. I would love to see a situation on a "well established trail"-not covered with snow or ice - where an ice axe is needed or useful.