Codeman
08-11-2006, 08:58 PM
Thanks to CountyComm, I now own a great Pocket Grappling Hook (http://www.countycomm.com/hook.htm).* I generally don't post the same thing on multiple forums, but this item deserves to be reviewed on EDCF.
This isn't a well-written review, so you'll have to forgive me if it isn't organized very well.* Hopefully, it's pretty thorough.* The PGH deserves at least that much.
Fit and finish is simply outstanding.* I've bought $100+ lights that weren't as uniformly finished and didn't have threads as smooth as the PGH.
The black anno is perfectly uniform, with no defects at all.* Given the intended use, I don't think the lack of HAIII is a big deal.* Even HAIII won't stand up to a lot of hard knocks.* I suspect the type II anno might even handle the knocks better. The anno covers all exterior surfaces, including the threaded holes for the prongs, as well as the interior of the cap and the tube's threads.* In other words, the tube's interior and the steel prongs are the only parts not annodized. The interior of the tube is bare aluminum.* The EOD Robotics logo and other printing were cut after the anno was applied, so they won't wear off.
The knurling bands on the prongs are aggressive enough to easily remove the prongs, even if they are cinched up tight, with bare hands.
The shell is a tad more than 5½" long, the cap is 1" in diameter, and the body is 0.875" in diameter.* The interior is about 3¼" deep and has an ID of 0.625".* The prongs are ¼" in diameter and about 3-3/8" long. The threads cover about 5/16" at the end.* The shell weighs 3.2 oz, while the 3 prongs together are 1.9 oz.* All total, my scale reads an even 5 oz.* Obviously, my scale's 0.1 oz accuracy came into play a bit.* The hole in the cap can accomodate rope or other objects up to ¼" in diameter.
The o-ring is mounted inside the cap at the top so that the tube presses up against it.* Once the o-ring is engaged, and a slight twist is applied, the seal is very firm, with no mushiness.* The o-ring is quite sturdy.
Since the PGH is round, it will roll around a bit, but the odd number of prongs, when stored inside, will prevent it from rolling very far on a flat surface.
There's a small piece of foam down inside the tube, to help keep the prongs from rattling too much.* Removing it gains about ½" in additional depth, but the bottom is not flat.* It's got a bit of a non-parabolic cone shape, with the center being slightly deeper.* The cap appears to have a plastic insert between the cap itself and the o-ring.* My guess is that it is to protect the cap from being pitted by the prongs. Speaking of the prongs, they are pointy enough to grab a lot of things, but they aren't sharp.* By eyeball, the very end of the tip appears to be about 1/32" or 3/64" in diameter.* I may add a small piece of foam to the cap and see if I can completely silence the prongs from rattling.* That may be tricky, though, without loosing it's waterproof seal due to the o-ring's position.* As shipped, the prongs don't rattle at all when shaken up and down, but they do bump against each other with a side-to-side shake.
The prongs screw smoothly and securely into the body at exactly a 45° angle.* If someone were to sharpen the prongs, it could be used as a wicked mace.* Remove the cap and ram a stick into the interior space and you could snare fish or game with it.
The PGH could also easily double as an improvised kuboton or impact device/weapon, especially if a short lanyard is attached.
This thing is overbuilt for it's intended purposes.* Although it's clearly marked as NOT being a life safety device, it will definitely hold a lot of weight securely.* I hope I never need to press it into such un-intended use, but it's got a good chance of serving such a purpose, in an emergency.
I don't need a grapple very often, but I can't wait to give the PGH a go.* Given it's quality build, flexibility, and compact size, the price is a very fair one.* Add in the non-grappling uses, and I think it's a good deal.
It's got my seal of approval, for what that's worth!* O0
See the link at the top of this post for more info and ordering.
This isn't a well-written review, so you'll have to forgive me if it isn't organized very well.* Hopefully, it's pretty thorough.* The PGH deserves at least that much.
Fit and finish is simply outstanding.* I've bought $100+ lights that weren't as uniformly finished and didn't have threads as smooth as the PGH.
The black anno is perfectly uniform, with no defects at all.* Given the intended use, I don't think the lack of HAIII is a big deal.* Even HAIII won't stand up to a lot of hard knocks.* I suspect the type II anno might even handle the knocks better. The anno covers all exterior surfaces, including the threaded holes for the prongs, as well as the interior of the cap and the tube's threads.* In other words, the tube's interior and the steel prongs are the only parts not annodized. The interior of the tube is bare aluminum.* The EOD Robotics logo and other printing were cut after the anno was applied, so they won't wear off.
The knurling bands on the prongs are aggressive enough to easily remove the prongs, even if they are cinched up tight, with bare hands.
The shell is a tad more than 5½" long, the cap is 1" in diameter, and the body is 0.875" in diameter.* The interior is about 3¼" deep and has an ID of 0.625".* The prongs are ¼" in diameter and about 3-3/8" long. The threads cover about 5/16" at the end.* The shell weighs 3.2 oz, while the 3 prongs together are 1.9 oz.* All total, my scale reads an even 5 oz.* Obviously, my scale's 0.1 oz accuracy came into play a bit.* The hole in the cap can accomodate rope or other objects up to ¼" in diameter.
The o-ring is mounted inside the cap at the top so that the tube presses up against it.* Once the o-ring is engaged, and a slight twist is applied, the seal is very firm, with no mushiness.* The o-ring is quite sturdy.
Since the PGH is round, it will roll around a bit, but the odd number of prongs, when stored inside, will prevent it from rolling very far on a flat surface.
There's a small piece of foam down inside the tube, to help keep the prongs from rattling too much.* Removing it gains about ½" in additional depth, but the bottom is not flat.* It's got a bit of a non-parabolic cone shape, with the center being slightly deeper.* The cap appears to have a plastic insert between the cap itself and the o-ring.* My guess is that it is to protect the cap from being pitted by the prongs. Speaking of the prongs, they are pointy enough to grab a lot of things, but they aren't sharp.* By eyeball, the very end of the tip appears to be about 1/32" or 3/64" in diameter.* I may add a small piece of foam to the cap and see if I can completely silence the prongs from rattling.* That may be tricky, though, without loosing it's waterproof seal due to the o-ring's position.* As shipped, the prongs don't rattle at all when shaken up and down, but they do bump against each other with a side-to-side shake.
The prongs screw smoothly and securely into the body at exactly a 45° angle.* If someone were to sharpen the prongs, it could be used as a wicked mace.* Remove the cap and ram a stick into the interior space and you could snare fish or game with it.
The PGH could also easily double as an improvised kuboton or impact device/weapon, especially if a short lanyard is attached.
This thing is overbuilt for it's intended purposes.* Although it's clearly marked as NOT being a life safety device, it will definitely hold a lot of weight securely.* I hope I never need to press it into such un-intended use, but it's got a good chance of serving such a purpose, in an emergency.
I don't need a grapple very often, but I can't wait to give the PGH a go.* Given it's quality build, flexibility, and compact size, the price is a very fair one.* Add in the non-grappling uses, and I think it's a good deal.
It's got my seal of approval, for what that's worth!* O0
See the link at the top of this post for more info and ordering.