This is the Akimbo

Mowerr said:
What are the differences between the akimbo and the BDB?
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I have used neither, so they are the same in that respect...

The Akimbo is made by a commercial company while the bdb is made by a well-respected individual who requests a signed waiver. I would like to know what certifications there are for the Akimbo since it is not going to be CE certified for work at height. To me, the ability to pass an OSHA work site audit is the big potential difference between the two devices, but if RE is not providing that then I'm back to square one.

The accounts of performance seem similar overall, yet different on the fine scale (rope make/model, climber weight, etc.).

The construction is very different, but perhaps the only way that it affects performance is in the greater degree of adjustment fine tuning offered by the Akimbo. Someone correct me if I'm mistaken. Having said that, there are some users who cannot dial in one device or the other, due to circumstance and/or patience, so it is possible to have a highly adjustable Akimbo and still not make a go of it.

And just to be clear, I'm a huge fan of these devices and their inventors.
 
DSMc said:
The only thing they have in common is they are both made of aluminum with a few steel parts. Very different tools.
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Can you elaborate? I haven't had akimbo in hand yet, but I'm seeing much more in common with the two than being made of metal...
 
Having a CE mark, as far as I know, is only necessary if you are part of the European Union (EU).
The Akimbo and BDB do have two rope contact locations but the way they work is quite different. It is a hard thing to explain without having both side-by-side but if you look carefully you can see that the force vectors are not even close.
 
The only major difference I noticed was one point of adjustment versus 2, Other than that they're pretty damn similar.
 
the akimbo and the BDB both function very similarly in that they both bend the rope with a top arm that is essentially a rope wrench type system (just like the rope runner as well), and they both pinch the rope with a bottom assembly that reacts to the drag friction created by the top arm. how the pinch at the bottom assembly is designed is different but both essentially use a class 1 lever system (rope runner uses a class 2 lever plus the ramp). the major difference (manufacturing aside) is in the way the rope is loaded and the design of the adjustment systems. the BDB, akimbo, and rope runner all share the same rope wrench dna.
 
JMerritt said:
the BDB, akimbo, and rope runner all share the same rope wrench dna.
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Not to take anything away from the other incredible devices mentioned here but I have to say that Jamie (JMerritt) is being graciously modest while being respectful as the other posters have been.

@stheis004 @Mowerr
I will try to elaborate on the differences further...
The Akimbo is a incredibly functional piece of art that has been further refined with Jamie's input by Rock Exotica and you could summarize the differences as such...
The Akimbo is the only super compact, mid-line attachable (not requiring the removable of a pin or additional piece of hardware) climbing aid that has the professional fit and finish that a retail product should have.
It has been rigorously tested and refined over years with the backing and production of one of the industry's giants.
It also comes with a warranty without the requirement of signing a waiver before purchase and costs the same if not less than one of the devices listed.
Of the three the Akimbo stands alone and is the probably the most anticipated piece of hardware ever.
I feel, as well as many others, that this Akimbo is a very long awaited game changer.

There, I said it!
Dang, just gave myself a stiffy. :oops:

p.s. Send one of the first T-Shirts in a size Large thank you.
 
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The artistic design of the Akimbo would make a cool design for shirts/ stickers.

The slogan isn't quite rolling off the tongue...some word play on the limbo song?

How akimbo can you go? Something. Not there, yet!

Don't just stand there, Climb Akimbo!
 
southsoundtree said:
The artistic design of the Akimbo would make a cool design for shirts/ stickers.

The slogan isn't quite rolling off the tongue...some word play on the limbo song?

How akimbo can you go? Something. Not there, yet!

Don't just stand there, Climb Akimbo!
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“I’d akimbo that.”

“The Akimbo: tree climbing and time travelling.”

“The Alimbo: FINALLY.”

can someone design a graphic climbing arborist made up of a unicorn descending on an akimbo?
 
I’ve been waiting to even think too much about T-shirts till there was an actual release date. Now that it’s happening, I’m all for it. I really like the rock exotica style cad drawing image for a shirt. I also think it would be hilarious to do a riff on the monkeybeaver with Sasquatch plus unicorn equals Akimbo.
 
JMerritt said:
I’ve been waiting to even think too much about T-shirts till there was an actual release date. Now that it’s happening, I’m all for it. I really like the rock exotica style cad drawing image for a shirt. I also think it would be hilarious to do a riff on the monkeybeaver with Sasquatch plus unicorn equals Akimbo.
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I’d wear that on my ass any time. Hell I have a unicorn tattooed on my ass
 
evo said:
I’d wear that on my ass any time. Hell I have a unicorn tattooed on my ass
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You know, every time I read one of your posts I think to myself: "evo seems like the type of guy that would have a unicorn tatooed on his ass".
I've been meaning to ask you but I couldn't think of a way to bring it up in conversation.
Now I don't have to wonder anymore about it anymore.
Thanks evo.
 
dsptech said:
You know, every time I read one of your posts I think to myself: "evo seems like the type of guy that would have a unicorn tatooed on his ass".
I've been meaning to ask you but I couldn't think of a way to bring it up in conversation.
Now I don't have to wonder anymore about it anymore.
Thanks evo.
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I have no need for a Sasquatch though it's furry enough..
 
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