Finish / texture on Apex wrench's cam

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BurOakTom

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Location
NE IL
wrenches.jpeg

I want to start some SRS, with a wrench / hitch setup. Bought an ISC Apex (bottom one in the pic), and also have a borrowed Notch Flow (top). The Notch is brand new, never used. The Apex has only been used for two 1' (not a typo -- about 12 inches / 25 cm) descents, from initial playing around in my low-ceiling basement. So it's basically brand new as well.

I am wondering about the finish on the Apex's adjustable cam, the lower of its two friction points. It's not as smooth as the Apex's bollard / top friction point, nor the Flow's bollard and SLIC pin. It doesn't feel very rough, but it definitely does not feel smooth either. You can even see some of the color, or maybe fibers?, from my Blue Moon on the cam.

One of my thoughts is that this should not be so rough, and will cause premature wear on the rope. Another thought is that I see users of mechanical devices talk about metal friction points incurring wear and needing occasional replacement, in which case maybe this relatively rough finish will quickly become shiny smooth and not be a problem.

Have other Apex users seen a similar situation on their wrenches? Any advice as to whether this may be a concern?

I did try asking ISC about this; emailed a query over a week ago and have had zero response. I am trying again but am not optimistic. Being in the U.S. I'd rather avoid the international phone call to them if I can help it.
 
When I scoped out the Apex I figured the cam was cast or sintered due to its rough finish. I can see the designers likely saying "its a feature not a bug so all's good" and part of the quest in RW design is maximizing friction in a small unit. If you took off that much material in 2 descents, well maybe it was easiest to remove/polish the initial roughness off and further wear will slow down. Albeit at the cost of roughing your rope! Doh! But imagine the abuse DRT over rough bark - just as bad. So all in all IMHO its probably all good and par for the course/ You can confirm that further # descents have lesser wear since you have a pristine controlled test specimen to use:)
 
Just a thought really, the Apex isn't really life support but if it's wearing more than you like, how's your rope? I had used a couple ropes in a yard working on a birch tree last fall where the HO had put sand on the lawns a couple of weeks before. It was dry since they applied it (no rain) and both ropes I used picked up enough sand, they were actually pretty gritty - a lot like glacial till when traipsing around glaciers that are dry in the summer and have debris scattered on the surface. Something new everyday. That stuff (glacial till) is sharp and cuts/ abrades everything. Ropes were washed but they'd have put a lot of wear on mechanicals if I was coming down 60 - 80 feet like that. But after Apex'ing around two 70 ft spruces last week with a Caralink tether/ hitch setup, this Apex cam showed no wear at all (just sap). Cheers
 
Ugh, that sand sounds like a PITA. I wonder why on earth somebody would spread it on their lawn...

So you have an Apex; is (or was) its cam similar to mine, not smooth / shiny?

I'm just starting SRS; this is all-new gear bought just recently. Brand new Blue Moon, brand new wrench. Neither has even left the house yet; tomorrow will be the first day for that. All I've done with the new gear has been trying things out using a beam in my basement (hence the twelve inch descents!).
 
The used one is still burnished browny but only two climbs on it. Must be other folks on Buzz that have more miles on theirs?
I'd just keep an eye on it but considering what arb work usually does to ropes (esp toothed ascenders) and thrashing around in trees, sap etc. they have lots of safety margin. Just fyi some ropes (e.g. courant) these days want you to wash/ soak them and dry before first use (not blue moon I don't believe). Stay safe and start low and slow!
 
I bought my Apex used so I can't say how it started out. But I remember looking at the cam when I got it and wondering about the material and how it would hold up. No worries so far, it's been good, been on it for over a year off and on (I climb more on a Bone than anything else)
 
Derail, but I came across a climber popsicle sticking a conifer and chatted. He was DRT Blakes Split tail no cambium saver no tied in twice lanyard "been doing this for 20 years, don't need any of that fancy new stuff". Nice enough guy, live and let live.

In passing, when I was doing my SRT base tied tip load research I had a bit of the same reaction to finding tachyon fibers on biner bollards etc. I think it's just the flip side of fuzzing/breaking in a rope.
 
Bart_ said:
In passing, when I was doing my SRT base tied tip load research I had a bit of the same reaction to finding tachyon fibers on biner bollards etc. I think it's just the flip side of fuzzing/breaking in a rope.
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Good point; new rope could be at least part of the explanation. I'm starting to play with it in actual trees and will keep on eye on it.
 
My v1 / v2 wrenches accumulated rope fuzz. Same with my akimbo all when new. It was worse with a previously used fuzzy rope and it actually denuded stripes of fuzz off the rope.
The apex I have, the lower adjustable cam was a very dark grey and nearly textured like cheap cast iron. My thoughts was that it was coarse sandblasted and certainly not a rumbled finish as it would probably destroy the nubbins. It’s fairly hard wearing as it doesn’t leave metallic streaks on the rope at all but with use it will polish.
I haven’t noticed any increase wear rates since I’ve used it, and it’s been my preferred device.
 
After several short up-and-downs (no serious height; just trying out different cord and hitch combos) the cam finish is smoothing out. So I guess I'm okay but will keep an eye on both it and the rope.

Not thrilled with ISC never replying to my query, though...
 
I will be of assistance as I like to help. Been on SRT for 13 years solely. So have a bit of knowledge. Go fly that Apex, your worries are just you being cautious. Your rope will wear that adjustable bollard into a mirror like finished spoon. Got nuff miles down many many diff ropes. I prefer very low stretch ropes which have very tough and durable covers, polyester only. Here is mine. Got after release so think 3 years, could be a tad less. Trust me you are good. My ropes are in no way worn. I like me some long drops and swinging descents. 20250201_225702.jpg
 
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islandarb said:
your worries are just you being cautious
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100% agree, especially since this is my first mechanical device of any sort (started with Blakes then moved to hitch climber for MRS). And yes, the wrench isn't life support; my main concern is / was wear on the rope which *is*.
 
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