Seeking a nice Chouinard Frost with Rexilon shaft...

Search
Go

Discussion Topic

Return to Forum List
This thread has been locked
Messages 1 - 10 of total 10 in this topic
Farley

Mountain climber
Portland, Oregon
Topic Author's Original Post - May 2, 2016 - 06:17pm PT
...the last jewel in the CF piolet family crown. Fair price offered.

For kicks, I present the following question regarding the attached photo: original pitons by the master craftsman Salathe' or not?
Sula

Trad climber
Pennsylvania
May 2, 2016 - 08:31pm PT
I have one, but I'm not sure if it qualifies as "nice". It shows signs of surface corrosion that has been cleaned - probably with a wire brush.

Guy I got it from said he thought it was from 1974. On one side of the pick it has "Chouinard-Frost" and "C" inside a diamond. On the other are stamps that say "CAMP", "INTERALP" and "MADE IN ITALY".
BruceHildenbrand

Social climber
Mountain View/Boulder
May 2, 2016 - 09:12pm PT
Check out the ASCA auction:

http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/2784385/Looking-for-donations-for-next-ASCA-auction

I donated a CF piolet. Not sure what the shaft type is(Rexilon or bamboo).
johntp

Trad climber
socal
May 2, 2016 - 09:17pm PT
What is a rexilon shaft?
kunlun_shan

Mountain climber
SF, CA
May 2, 2016 - 09:27pm PT
^ John, see Fritz's post here:

http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=1191047&msg=1191113#msg1191113

The 1975-76 Chouinard catalog mentions the Piolet is available in both bamboo and Rexilon-(18-laminates of wood). The Rexilon shafts were stronger than bamboo, but slightly heavier. Bamboo axe was $60.00 and Rexilon was $55.00.
johntp

Trad climber
socal
May 2, 2016 - 09:56pm PT
kunlun-

Interesting. thought they were all bamboo or ash/walnut.
kunlun_shan

Mountain climber
SF, CA
May 2, 2016 - 10:14pm PT
From Dane Burns' blog, on The Classic Piolet, "Chouinard-Frost":

http://coldthistle.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-classic-piolet.html

The Rexilon shaft on Chouinard ice axes was made of a laminate of beech ("faggio" in Italian). It was originally used for pole-vaulting poles in the days before fiberglass composites. CAMP used this before bamboo but both were available for a while.
Farley

Mountain climber
Portland, Oregon
Topic Author's Reply - May 3, 2016 - 08:38am PT
Thanks for the responses. Seeking the Rexilon CF to complete a collection of Chouinard Frost axes for eventual donation. I have all the rest...

The progression in design over the period of production is fascinating, as has been detailed extensively on ST. In my mind, the original hickory shaft with single set of teeth is hard to beat, particularly with a nice, natural patina. Form and function combined.

The only one I find odd is the hammer-sized "axe" with the classic CF head. Has to believe it was functional.

Todd Eastman

climber
Bellingham, WA
May 3, 2016 - 09:00am PT
The only one I find odd is the hammer-sized "axe" with the classic CF head. Has to believe it was functional.

It was kind of a reaction to the Terrordactyls that came with hammer or adze and were really short compared to other weapons of the time.

The Chouinard hammer worked better than the Climbaxe, because it was heavier...
Fritz

Trad climber
Choss Creek, ID
May 3, 2016 - 09:36am PT
Here's a photo of what Farley is looking for, but I can't sell him my Rexilon shaft Piolet.

From left to right are Chouinard shafts of hickory, ash, Rexilon, & laminated bamboo.


Messages 1 - 10 of total 10 in this topic
Return to Forum List
 
Our Guidebooks
spacerCheck 'em out!
SuperTopo Guidebooks

guidebook icon
Try a free sample topo!

 
SuperTopo on the Web

Recent Route Beta