Stein folding cube

trees4est

trees4est

I was allured by the very low price point of these folding cubes, they seemed cheap enough that it was worth a try even if they didn't last. So we got a one and when it came, I was impressed with what looked like the burliness of the materials; it didn't seem as flimsy as some other cube knock-offs I'd used. However, after only about 2 months of use the stays started blowing out of the corners. I emailed about it and they were very nice, and said they would replace it with another. We needed a couple extra so I asked: "is this likely to happen again or is it just a one time manufacturing defect on the one we got?". She said that while they had previously had issues it should be worked out with the new ones, so I ordered another along with the replacement.
Fast forward about 4 months and the stays are blowing out of these as well. I ordered another one last year and it blew out within 3 months.
Now, maybe there's something inherently difficult about manufacturing these things well, I'm not sure. But everything else about the cubes seems strong enough, and I would think that it would be a matter of a little more gusseting in the corners and some extra stitching. How much would that add in labor and materials to each cube? Even if they had to charge 5-10 dollars more it would still be cheap, and a much better quality product.
We've got an original Falteimer that is going on 5 years now, and one of the stays is just starting to poke through (but it's still staying in, if you'll pardon the pun). I'm ordering another today, because it's worth it. No offense to Stein because they've been very nice and you can't beat the price, but until they get that worked out I'll pay for the quality.
 

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Yup, nothing beats a Falteimer when it comes to cubes.

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Yup! I was told, always do your best and ask a good price. When you cut corners (...) and make crappy stuff people will remember the crap but forget about the cheap buy.
Some things in tree care we should be proud of and honour their creators.
Falteimers, four of them, can't remember when I bought them. must be at least six years ago when I bought the last one.
Harrison Rockets, six, bought ages ago, two are getting out of rocket shape but still didn't spill their pellets.
GRCS, I think my buddy Jelte still uses our first one bought somewhere in 2002.

Don't sell yourself cheap. When you do, someday you will regret it.
 
I'll 3rd the falteimer. I just recently got one. My other cube is a sherrill and it's not been bad but the corners are blown out. The falteimer feels like it's made of the same stuff my arborwear pants are.

I agree on the harrison rockets too. You'll feel like there's something wrong with you spending that much on a cube and bags but once you have them you'll understand why you HAD to do it. ;)
 
I used thread and shoe glue to fix my cheepo throw cube. If you have a cheep throw cube that hasn't broken yet put some shoe glue on it quick.
 
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I used thread and shoe glue to fix my cheepo throw cube. If you have a cheep throw cube that hasn't broken yet put some shoe glue on it quick.

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Did you mean "Shoe Goo" ?
.......... good stuff !
 
I would say they are not in the same class.. the faltemier cube is a top of the line product the stein cube is imo a very well made budget minded product. I have over the years purchased every folding cube I know of and I have worked my way up from the cheapest to finally spending the money on a real faltemier however I believe the Stein is much more durable and better made then any of its mid or low range competitors most of which I have found are twice the money. I have had a Stein cube probably about a year and have not had any noticeable where yet. where as in comparison I purchased one for twice the money from sherrill and it was junk from the beginning never stayed open and poked through within a month or two. I think the term you get what you pay for applies heavily on this topic and for the money the stein cube imo is a good quality tool for the budget minded.
 
A friend of mine made a working trip to Germany when the originator of the F-cube was prototyping. He bought five of the around-100-prototypes as gifts. The one that I got has been in full time use since then. When did the F'cube come out???

Just a few weeks ago one of the seems on the bottom came apart. I can sew that easily. One of the corner stays broke. But...I think that's cuz my gear duffle got pounced on by some heavy foot :( I can fix the stay easily.

At Expo I got two Stein's. They seem like a good value. I'm sure capable to doing any repair/mending.
 
The Stein lasted longer than other cheapies but in the end had the same issues in less time than I feel it should last. I finally broke down as well and went with the F-cube and it's shown to be the most rugged.

There is no reason why at the prices we pay for equipment that these storage bags can't last longer than they do.
 
I like my Steins and can fix them a plenty. I can spend the $89 on the Falteimer, however I just feel I can make the Steins last long.
 
nobody said anything on the petzl throwline storage solution. its in a shape of a round cube. (excuse the pun) because of its shape, wouldnt it be less prone to blow out on the corners?(given the fact that it has none?) i dont own one so idk....
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nobody said anything on the petzl throwline storage solution. its in a shape of a round cube. (excuse the pun) because of its shape, wouldnt it be less prone to blow out on the corners?(given the fact that it has none?) i dont own one so idk....
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I've wondered about the Petzl Eclipse Folding Cube but none of the places I found that sell them even give dimensions.
 
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