History of these cams?

My wife’s dowry included these. Who made em. Would u whip?

Wired Bliss or old Metolius

peter heekin wrote: Wired Bliss or old Metolius

No. These cams are Canadian Alpine Manufacturing Cable CAM's. They were made by David Oldridge: this Englishman moved to Canada and set up Canadian Quest Technology in 1982. Then he marketed spring loaded camming devices, the Buddies. In 1985 he formed Canadian Alpine Manufacturing and made the CAM’s and the Cable CAM’s distributed by High Adventure Sports in USA. His very last company (in rock climbing gear) seems to have been International Climbing Equipment, (British Columbia, Canada).

Canadian Quest Technology Buddie #2 (1982)

Canadian Alpine Manufacturing  CAM's #3 #5 (1985)

Canadian Alpine Manufacturing prototype Cable CAM's #1 #2 and Cable CAM's #2 #3 #4 #4 #5 #5 (1986)

I have a prototype set of the Canadian Cam three cam units. Only came in three sizes and the cams are brass instead of aluminum. Had them about two weeks when manufacturers rep called me to say "do not take more than fifteen foot fall" as the brass center cams were blowing up and occasionally a brass end pulled from wire. I mostly climbed on double ropes which softened the impact and took one really good whip on one. The unit held but the center cam was so damaged unit had to be hammered out with nut tool and a rock rendering it useless. The aluminum cams were much better but soon it seemed three cam units were being made by multiple manufacturers. Most of the early and odd cams like the stemmed cams where center cam was made into the stem along with the Buddies are collector gear not climbing gear. Too much modern gear in same size range to be using them.

I am still using some of the first generation HB Offsets as bought several sets to mix with my RPs. Two brass wires nested and equalized with a Yates Screamer a climber is good to go on a skinny rope. Look at Ebay and antique climbing gear websites and discussion group posts when find any odd gear because you will trip over gear that may still look unused and needs to remain so. Climbing gear historical examples are for collections and museums, not the crags unless it's "old timer day" and everyone is climbing with tied Swami for a harness using Hexes and stoppers for gear. Last "old timers" day was a blast especially in original set of EBs or Fires.

Bonjour Michael, I sent you a private message.