History of Black Diamond Cams

horsedickerywrote:

Better than their newer all crappy handle and trigger plastic. We climbed with those older Chouinard back in the day no problems. I think I like the second generation better but some of the earlier ones were not that bad. Compared to the newer ones any day. Just think about the aircraft engines on the triple seven made in China? Inspect enough aircraft cables and you’ll understand.

Good god man, you are not the only one to climb in the 80s and 90s. You are also misinformed. The new BD cams are light years better than the early 90s crap. And guess what? They returned cam production to the US. And guess what? When they did, recalls went through the roof. Anyways, pretty much the only archaic piece of pro that I miss are Forged Friends.

I’ll make you a deal. I see that you are in Boulder, and I’ll be in the Front Range on the 23rd. I’ll happily trade you a full set of 2nd gen Camalots, Jr.s included, for a crappy set of plasticky thumb-loop ones. Deal?

Thank you for helping me research this. I am thinking a number 4 between 1995 and 2000. Would love confirmation. 

This 3rd generation Camalot #4 (purple) hit  the market in... 1994. The #5 (green) hit the market in 1995.

Okay truth. I painted this from a 3.5 and wanted more color. Looked up the same era and found the deep purple 4. Not climbing anymore and wanted to do something to memorialize. 

If any of y’all have been to the Black diamond headquarters near the stairs to the bottom of their show, room is a full lineup of every cam they made along with the original friends.

If anyone on this thread is interested in picking up some old gear I have an assortment of stuff. Original hex’s before they were hexcentric, Titons, old carabiners, long ware bongs, original Chouinard wall hammer, etc. I’m not a collector but I have a collection that I don’t really have use for. Pm me if you are looking for something.

sold the whole collection to Climbing On. Sorry to those of you that were also interested. I’ll have some more old gear in about 40 years. :)

Norm Larsonwrote:

If anyone on this thread is interested in picking up some old gear I have an assortment of stuff. Original hex’s before they were hexcentric, Titons, old carabiners, long ware bongs, original Chouinard wall hammer, etc. I’m not a collector but I have a collection that I don’t really have use for. Pm me if you are looking for something.

I sent you a PM. I'm very interested.

Norm Larsonwrote:

If anyone on this thread is interested in picking up some old gear I have an assortment of stuff. Original hex’s before they were hexcentric, Titons, old carabiners, long ware bongs, original Chouinard wall hammer, etc. I’m not a collector but I have a collection that I don’t really have use for. Pm me if you are looking for something.

I would love to see what the wall hammer looks like

Norm Larsonwrote:

If anyone on this thread is interested in picking up some old gear I have an assortment of stuff. Original hex’s before they were hexcentric, Titons, old carabiners, long ware bongs, original Chouinard wall hammer, etc. I’m not a collector but I have a collection that I don’t really have use for. Pm me if you are looking for something.

Hey Norm, I shot you a PM as well.  I'm always hunting for some of those factory drilled chouinard hexentrics from the 70s.  Not sure if you have any laying around, but give me a holler if so!