Unknown 1/2 friend - "first rigid stem??"

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	CO_Michael · Jan 21, 2014 · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2008 · Points: 956 I have this 1/2 half rigid stem friend. Should be one of the first of its kind. No markings. Anyone know some history? --- Invalid image id: 108599035 --- --- Invalid image id: 108599034 --- --- Invalid image id: 108599036 --- --- Invalid image id: 108599033 --- 0 Flag Quote
	john strand · Jan 21, 2014 · southern colo · Joined May 2008 · Points: 1,640 Thats an oldie.. i had a similar that i bought in JT around '81 for $15/. grinding the cams was kinda common in JT and Yosemite to make a 1/2 or 3/4 i bet it works fine ? 0 Flag Quote
	Brian in SLC · Jan 21, 2014 · Sandy, Utah · Joined Oct 2003 · Points: 21,746 Looks like an "associate" circa early 80's. 0 Flag Quote
	Gunkswest · Jan 21, 2014 · CA · Joined Jan 2010 · Points: 16,307 Old 1/2 size cam purchased from Alf Randall in the 80s. Another view of the early cam purchased from Alf Randall. 0 Flag Quote
	john strand · Jan 22, 2014 · southern colo · Joined May 2008 · Points: 1,640 I think I used one of those once..or attempted to..note the tiny trigger bar 0 Flag Quote
	Allen Sanderson · Jan 22, 2014 · On the road to perdition · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 1,203 The 1/2 Friend had a titanium stem: 0 Flag Quote
	Aric Datesman · Jan 23, 2014 · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 145 Off topic, but Hmm.... I wonder if that would be enough evidence of prior art for springs in the stem pushing the lobes open to invalidate parts of BD's C3 patents? 0 Flag Quote
	Woodchuck ATC · Jan 23, 2014 · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280 Dana Bartlett wrote:That sure looks a lot like the 1/2 Friends Steve Jones made. Steve was from western MA, moved to CO a long time ago, and made quite a few 1/2 Friends; did so in the mid to late '80s, I believe. He also made the Gold Shuts, some of those are probably still around. Awesome old gear pics..was going to also suggest a 'home made' version of the original Friends. I had the 1, 1.5, 2,2.5,3, 3.5 and then 'big boy #4 original solid stems from early 80's. But never saw a smaller half sized one. 0 Flag Quote
	mucci · Jan 23, 2014 · sf ca · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 655 That is a Rob Orovitz 1/2" cam, not a "friend" made by Jardine. Here is some info if you scroll down to the middle, also a reference to another thread that depicts many photos of that same cam. supertopo.com/climbing/thre… Very cool find, and probably has great history as he was based in CO. 0 Flag Quote
	CO_Michael · Jan 23, 2014 · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2008 · Points: 956 mucci wrote:That is a Rob Orovitz 1/2" cam, not a "friend" made by Jardine. Here is some info if you scroll down to the middle, also a reference to another thread that depicts many photos of that same cam. supertopo.com/climbing/thre… Very cool find, and probably has great history as he was based in CO. Thanks for finding that thread, J. I was looking for it but my internet "FU" is limited. 0 Flag Quote