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Why drop money on poles?

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Threshy
Posts: 444 - Karma: 938
Other than at a strip club do you see a point in dropping cash on a nice pole? I have always bought cheap aluminum poles but maybe it is time. What poles are you running? I like the idea of adjustable/ carbon fiber options.
Nov 3 2020 8:37AM
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grantn_
Posts: 296 - Karma: 3,295
Really depends on what you want to spend your money on. As a dude who only skis with poles on pow days, I have shitty k2s i got at a ski swap for like $20. It’s really your call, but think if you kept that money and put it into new boots, skis or bindings.

**This post was edited on Nov 3rd 2020 at 11:36:35am
Nov 3 2020 11:36AM
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Bended_Toenail
Posts: 1417 - Karma: 10,220
I usually don't use poles at all, but when I do I always use some super-light carbon ones I made from some old XC race poles. I can't stand heavy poles, and with mine, I hardly notice they are even there.

But those Panda poles things are pretty sick.
Nov 3 2020 12:08PM
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Snakethepark
Posts: 15 - Karma: 93
Got 3 pairs of touring poles out of a dumpster at keystone and they go for almost 100 bucks brand new. When I see a dumpster full of ski stuff I hop in
Nov 3 2020 12:36PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37390 - Karma: 120,126
been starting to use poles more for like probing snowpacks and landings for people or just out of curiosity when youre standing around and are curious about the snow. besides skiing with them, theyre actually a pretty useful tool. and you probably tend to use them a bit more when touring/trying to summit stuff or just probing stuff on your way up.

**This post was edited on Nov 3rd 2020 at 1:16:57pm
Nov 3 2020 1:16PM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 43,008
I really don't care about poles, but also, the Bentchetler poles with the built-in Pozi are perfect. Love the grip, and especially love the bits. They're easier to use than a normal pozi screwdriver, and they're always there. Only pole I'm glad to have spent money on.
Nov 3 2020 2:24PM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,686
After destroying cheap pairs I coughed up for a pair of Scott race series poles and haven’t broken them in 12 years. $100 spent once.
Nov 3 2020 3:28PM
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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,706
cobra_commanderAfter destroying cheap pairs I coughed up for a pair of Scott race series poles and haven’t broken them in 12 years. $100 spent once.

Fucking respect haha
Nov 3 2020 4:50PM
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Ranchculture
Posts: 114 - Karma: 1,631
Threshycarbon fiber options.

This. I use adjustable k2 carbon poles, I think they’re called the lockjaw or something, but they feel amazing and it’s also trendy to have a lil piece of plastic halfway down the pole just so everyone knows you could do a lip blind 2 and then drop off a cornice into a foot of pow.
Nov 3 2020 5:43PM
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NateDude
Posts: 186 - Karma: 1,284
definitely don't bother shelling out for poles, you're just going to land on them at some point anyway. Mine are an old pair of steel poles (i think they're steel because aluminum would have cracked) and I bent the fuck out of one last year, but then I was able to bend it like halfway back and now I'm never buying a new one

**This post was edited on Nov 3rd 2020 at 6:11:45pm
Nov 3 2020 6:09PM
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EPfanboy
Posts: 477 - Karma: 3,441
Got some line pollards paintbrush poles, mint graphic mint pole. Nothing to complain about
Nov 3 2020 6:10PM
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Quaggy
Posts: 1150 - Karma: 19,157
I use kids adjustable poles, they're easy to come by and light as can be
Nov 3 2020 6:10PM
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elm.
Posts: 1492 - Karma: 13,497
Said this in another thread, but I got some $40 carbon adjustable poles costco that seem to be good so far. I got them in the summer, so they must've been on sale.

https://www.costco.com/cascade-mountain-tech-carbon-fiber-trekking-pole---2-pack.product.100702193.html
Nov 3 2020 10:08PM
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ski_salmon69
Posts: 1840 - Karma: 27,546
I was able to snag a pair or swix medieval poles for pretty cheap but they’re too long for me. Is ok to cut them shorter if they’re carbon?
Nov 3 2020 10:19PM
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elm.
Posts: 1492 - Karma: 13,497
adamMfreeriderI was able to snag a pair or swix medieval poles for pretty cheap but they’re too long for me. Is ok to cut them shorter if they’re carbon?

It is ok, but they will be much weaker near the cut area. Use the finest tooth blade you have. Usually you cut carbon with a diamond blade.
Nov 4 2020 10:35AM
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AmissBirths
Posts: 14 - Karma: 134
Cutting carbon can be sketchy. If you have a dremel use that. Otherwise a diamond grit saw will work too.

If it's a unidirectional carbon (ie all fibres go in same direction), be careful and cut it with light pressure and high speed. Back and forth very quickly.

If it's a cloth or woven carbon (ie a carbon pattern) you'll have an easier time, but use the same cutting techniques.

For both you should absolutely electrical tape the area you're going to cut so the fibres don't fray and cut it LONGER than you want it and then sand it to size with something like a 220 grit. Sanding to size will make it stronger and last longer!

Ps if anyone wants a composites engineer for their ski company hmu
adamMfreeriderI was able to snag a pair or swix medieval poles for pretty cheap but they’re too long for me. Is ok to cut them shorter if they’re carbon?


**This post was edited on Nov 4th 2020 at 12:44:34pm
Nov 4 2020 12:43PM
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AmissBirths
Posts: 14 - Karma: 134
Should say that if you don't have either tool, just use the finest-tooth cutting instrument you have. It won't make a huge difference if you sand it to size.

Also don't breathe the dust at all! Best practice is to wear a mask and set up a vacuum beside the saw. You should be cutting it in a vice or something similar anyway.
adamMfreeriderI was able to snag a pair or swix medieval poles for pretty cheap but they’re too long for me. Is ok to cut them shorter if they’re carbon?
Nov 4 2020 12:46PM
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rubberpantaloons
Posts: 506 - Karma: 3,094
i found old poles that were super long and had pow baskets at a goodwill for 5 bucks so i just cut them down to a better size
Nov 4 2020 7:44PM
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Chunderface
Posts: 2515 - Karma: 9,867
I dunno I had a pair of the cheapest aluminum poles I could find and they bent to fuck for no reason. I've had a few 60-80 dollar poles and had no issues.
Nov 5 2020 12:31AM
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