Initial Report
Black Diamond Carbon Fiber Flicklock Poles
Date: September 23rd, 2004
Reviewer Information
Name: Jim Sabiston
Age: 50
Height: 6' 3" (1.9 m)
Weight: 210 lb (94 kg)
Email address: JimSabis(at)aol(dot)com
State: New York
Country: USA
Backpacking Background:
I've been camping since my teens. My outdoor activities include
backpacking, canoeing, sea kayaking, snowshoeing, mountaineering and cross
country skiing. I have expanded my backpacking to include winter
mountaineering, back country skiing and ski backpacking. I have received winter
mountaineering training with Chauvin International Climbing Guides. I actively
study ways to backpack lighter and more efficiently. During the summer months,
my style tends toward very light, but not quite ultralight. I use a hammock or
tarp for warm weather, and a small four-season tent for winter trips. Most of
my other gear is very changeable, as I am constantly experimenting with gear
and techniques.
Product Information:
Manufacturer: Black Diamond Equipment
Year of Manufacture: 2004
URL: www.bdel.com
Manufacturers Specifications:
Note: Black Diamond issued these poles as ‘pre-production’ items.
Accordingly, while the poles appear to be market ready, it is possible that
some details or features may be subject to change. For instance, the upper ends
of the carbon fiber shafts have threaded screw ends, part of a former feature
permitting the lower shafts to be assembled into an avalanche probe. The
hangtag provides instructions on the assembly. Information from Black Diamond
indicates that the feature has been discontinued for technical reasons and the
poles are no longer provided with connecting paired shafts.
Pole Features:
Dimensions:
- Length: 45.28 in (115 cm)
- Weight: 1 lb 1.28 oz (490 g) per pair with baskets (size 120 cm)
- Balanced swing weight
- Redesigned dual-density grip and anatomical wrist strap
- Whippet Compatible w/ Carbon Fiber Adapter
- Slip-proof Flicklock adjustments
Color: Red and black handle and upper shaft with ‘natural’ carbon fiber finish
on lower pole section.
MSRP: $89 US
Weight as measured (size 115): 1 lb 5.28 oz (616 g)
Length as measured:
- Collapsed: 36.6 in (93 cm)
- Extended to 49 in (125 cm) per marking on shaft: actual = 49.2 in
(125.5 cm)
Fig. #1: The Black Diamond Flicklock poles. The upper pole is full extended
and the lower pole is fully collapsed. Note the ¾ basket at the lower right.
Initial Impressions:
The Black Diamond Carbon Fiber Flicklock Poles arrived Monday, September 20th,
2004, in what appeared to be a squashed, hastily taped together box. When
opened, the wrapping revealed a pair of two-tone rubber hiking pole handles,
bright red and black! A hangtag was attached to one pole, and gives use and
care instructions in English, French, German, Spanish and Japanese. A letter
was also included which described a number of the poles features and recent
upgrades.
The rubber handles have a stylized, two-tone finish, as noted. They are
actually made of two different density rubbers. The red areas are a very hard,
structural component and the black areas are a softer rubber for comfort. The
‘softer’ black rubber is still quite firm and does not compress noticeably when
squeezed. The handle design seems easy to grip and quite comfortable. The
handle is mounted in line with the pole shaft and is not angled off the
centerline as some poles are.
Removing the poles from the packaging, I gave them a good once over. The Black
Diamond Carbon Fiber Flicklocks are two section, collapsible poles. The upper
shafts are made of aluminum and finished in a red and black two-tone graphic.
The Black Diamond brand name and logo are on the upper shaft in a bright
aluminum finish. The Carbon Fiber Flicklock label is on both ends of the upper
shaft using much smaller graphics. The Black Diamond name and logo are repeated
again on the lower section of the upper shaft, smaller and in black this time.
One pole has an orange and white label, written in English, French and German,
stating: “Warning” and “Important instructions attached”, referring to the
hangtag.
The wrist strap is made of tapered, black and grey webbing. The straps are 1.5
in (38 mm) at the widest sections. In a departure from the poles I’ve used in
the past, the strap adjustment is not in the handle. Rather, the webbing is
permanently affixed to the handle and consists of two pieces. Adjustment is
made using a webbing cam that joins the two ends together. The arrangement is
very similar to a pack compression strap and as easy to use.
There are two sections to the Carbon Fiber Flicklock Poles, the aluminum upper
and the carbon fiber lower. The Flicklock mechanism is positioned at the
junction of the two shafts, mounted on the exterior of the aluminum upper shaft
with the carbon fiber lower shaft sliding into the aluminum upper shaft. The
Flicklock mechanism is simplicity itself. It is comprised essentially of a
black plastic over-center cam lock device with an adjusting screw incorporated
to allow tension adjustments. The aluminum upper shaft has a slot cut into the
lower end where the Flicklock is installed, allowing the pole to compress onto
the carbon fiber lower shaft when the Flicklock is closed.
The lower pole section, as noted previously, is constructed of carbon fiber,
left in a shiny, natural charcoal grey finish. The only markings are the Black
Diamond name and logo, in metallic silver paint, and the length markings, also
in metallic silver paint. The adjustment range is marked as a low of 39.4 in (100
cm) to a maximum of 49 in (125 cm).
The pole tips appear to be fairly typical, comprised of a hard plastic tapered
cone finished in a metal tip. The tip appears to be carbide, but this is not
noted in the literature. The tip design is different from what I am familiar
with. It is a cupped depression instead of the more typical pointed star. A ¾
basket is installed on the pole, and is removable. A pair of accessory snow
baskets were also provided.
Using the Flicklock:
Having been weaned on twist lock poles, I was particularly curious about the
Flicklock shaft locking concept. My initial impression is very favorable. The
system is simple and obvious in function. Just flip open the cam lever, slide
the lower shaft into the desired position, and close the cam lever. That is all
there is to it! This completely eliminates the mystery inherent in the twist
lock design. There is no twist right or left confusion, and the positive
clamping action seems like it will be less likely to slip. The Flicklock takes
a firm push to open or close. It makes an audible click when closing.
Even better, the tension is adjustable. By tightening or loosening the screw
mounted on the Flicklock, the closing tension can be easily increased or
decreased. One of the recent design changes for these poles, and as noted in
the accompanying letter, was the replacement of the former thumbscrew adjuster.
The upgrade appears to be a typical round-head machine screw, made to accept
either Phillips or flat blade screwdrivers, but the letter states it
incorporates a nylock patch to prevent loosening. The letter also states that
this makes the screw stiffer and will require “some pretty sturdy fingernails
to turn it”. I will vouch for this last point. In fact, I will not be trying my
fingernails on that screw ever again, as it just about tore mine apart when I
tried to see if a fingernail adjustment is possible. I’ll make sure a
screwdriver or similar tool is in my pack, in case it is needed.
Summary:
Things I like:
1 – Light weight.
2 – Ease of use.
Things I Don’t Like:
1 – The color combo is a bit garish for my tastes, but that is a personal
thing.
2 – This is not so much a dislike as a characteristic of two section poles:
They do not pack very small.
The pole design seems to favor winter activities such as skiing or snowshoeing,
as indicated by the straight mounted handle and large ¾ baskets, but should
work well as trekking poles. The graphics are a bit brighter than I usually
prefer, but are attractive and the materials, construction and finish are all
good quality.
Test Plan:
The primary focus and goal of the testing program will to test the
effectiveness of the Flicklock locking system.
- How does the mechanism hold up under extended use?
- How well does the Flicklock mechanism work? Is there any tendency to slip?
- Can the locks be used and adjusted when wearing gloves.
- How comfortable is the dual density handgrip?
- Does the handgrip absorb sweat, or does it become slippery when wet?
- Will the collapsed length be small enough to be out of the way during dense
bushwhacks?
- How does the lower carbon fiber shaft hold up to contact with rocks?
- How easy/difficult is it to adjust the hand strap length? How about with
gloves?
- How easy/difficult are the baskets to install or remove?
- How well do these poles work as tarp supports?
