Skip to main content

Black Diamond FlickLock vs Push Button Lock Review

 Black Diamond Contour Trekking Poles


I have two pair of the 2003 version Black Diamond Contour Trekking Poles with the push button locking button and FlickLock system. I love them as they are strong, light, adjustable and I have never had an issue with slipping. 

 Photo shows the FlickLock at the top of the pole and the push button lock at the bottom section.

The problem I had with the push button lock, was after a drenching rainstorm hike the poles were packed in the car for a 600 mile trip home, then stored away for several months. I forgot to pull them apart to dry out. When retrieved for the next adventure, the push button internal mechanism had corroded and was unusable.

The Fix

I had to bolt the lower unit fixed on three of my poles so I could use them. I went to the local hardware store and found some nuts and screws. My objective was to use a screw that was the same size as the locking pin with as little projection beyond the pole as possible. I found screws that had a nice rounded head with hex recess and they fit the pin hole only slightly larger. 



I had to drill  the hole out just a fraction. 

The nuts I used were nylon inserted, self locking, so there was no need to use a lock washer. I have continued to use these pole for years and have not needed to tighten the locking nuts at all. This fix has worked great, except I can't collapse the poles totally as originally designed.



The pole manual says not to put them away wet, so take their advice. 
Black Diamond may have installed non-corrosive springs now, so give them a call before buying poles with push button locks.

I would highly recommend poles with the double FlickLock style, top and bottom, by Black Diamond as I have never had any issue with this type of lock on my poles.

Here is my video explaining the problem on YouTube:

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Camping at Torreya State Park

Torreya State Park is located about 60 miles west of Tallahassee, Florida in the “Big Bend”. This park is noted for its varied terrain, ranging from hardwood to swamp wetlands and an area we Floridians could call “canyons” (large washed out clay hills). It’s the closest thing we can find around here that is similar to the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. The park has a nice network of trails to explore. My 13 year old son and I arrived at the park on Friday afternoon at 3:00 pm, the first day of spring. We had made reservations ahead to ensure our sites in the primitive camp areas. Because our region had been receiving abundant amounts of rainfall, we knew the mosquitoes would be in full force. We were not disappointed. We came prepared with plenty of bug repellent.  This trip could be called an "Introduction to Backpacking" for me and my son. We have done car camping, but yearned for a taste of “true” camping. Having enjoyed accumulating our assortment

Chic BOHO Poncho Top

  Multicolored Pattern Print Poncho Style Top This flirty poncho top will capture your BOHO style with flair!  Looks great with jeans for that easy, relaxed evening mood.    

Review of Crocs Men's Modi Flip Flops

Review of Crocs Men's Modi Flip Flops As a result of an injury and suffering from Plantar Fasciitis and a heel spur, I needed some comfortable flip flops that offered support and heel comfort.  I previously had some Croc knock-off, slip on shoes and they felt comfortable, so I did some online research, reading reviews about various Croc shoes, and determined that the Croc Modi Flip was highly regarded. I went to my local sports store and tried on half a dozen flip flops to see which were the most comfortable, comparing them to the Modi Flip, and determined I like the Modi the best as they seemed to provide the best comfort for my heel. As an added bonus they have nice foot massage bumps. I first bought size 11 thinking it fit the best, but once at home, sitting and walking in the house, I decided they were a little snug across the top of my foot, so I exchanged them for size 12. They fit perfect, not too tight when sitting in a chair, yet snug enough when walking.