Changing worn-down tips on Black Diamond z-poles?

[mla1]

Last year when I walked from Le Puy to SJPP I used a pair of Black Diamond Z-poles (which I liked very much). I forgot to carry replacement tips . I was using the rubber tips (the actual screw-in tips that come with the poles, not the rubber covers that you just push on). By the time I got to SJPP, the rubber tips had worn down to the metal underneath. You can see in the photos what the tip looks like now and what it looked like when it was new. I haven't been able to figure out a way to remove the old tip and replace it with a new one. But maybe someone on the forum has a suggestion for how this might be possible? I have the rubber slip on covers - but they inevitably fall off and get lost.

Thanks. Mary Louise

 

[Kanga]

My z poles came with a set of replacement tips in a tiny pocket attacked inside the mesh carrying bag. The tips unscrew off and on.

 

[mla1]

My z poles came with a set of replacement tips in a tiny pocket attacked inside the mesh carrying bag. The tips unscrew off and on.

Hi Kanga,
I have the replacement tips. The problem is that old tips are so worn down now that I can't figure out how to get them off so that I can put the new ones on. I am hoping that someone has a fix!
ml

 

[Kanga]

They do screw off - but quite hard to do because of the wave pattern where the tips meet the pole (if yours are like mine you will be able to see what I mean). Maybe a bit of elbow grease required? Lefty loosen! As my mother used to say. I'd take them into my local hiking store if it is too difficult, or I might damage them in the process.

 

[MichaelSG]

If it were my poles, at this point I would saw a slot in the nub, then use a screwdriver to unscrew the old tips. Be careful doing that though, or ask a friend who has the right tools.

Edited to add for others: The problem appears to be that the old tip has been worn down so much that not only the old rubber is completely worn away but the base screw that is usually half covered by the rubber and screws into the pole has been worn down so much itself that there is almost nothing to grip onto to unscrew and remove it. It's a long sentence but what to do???

 

[TaijiPilgrim]

Last year when I walked from Le Puy to SJPP I used a pair of Black Diamond Z-poles (which I liked very much). I forgot to carry replacement tips . I was using the rubber tips (the actual screw-in tips that come with the poles, not the rubber covers that you just push on). By the time I got to SJPP, the rubber tips had worn down to the metal underneath. You can see in the photos what the tip looks like now and what it looked like when it was new. I haven't been able to figure out a way to remove the old tip and replace it with a new one. But maybe someone on the forum has a suggestion for how this might be possible? I have the rubber slip on covers - but they inevitably fall off and get lost.

Thanks. Mary Louise

View attachment 23613 View attachment 23614

Last year when I walked from Le Puy to SJPP I used a pair of Black Diamond Z-poles (which I liked very much). I forgot to carry replacement tips . I was using the rubber tips (the actual screw-in tips that come with the poles, not the rubber covers that you just push on). By the time I got to SJPP, the rubber tips had worn down to the metal underneath. You can see in the photos what the tip looks like now and what it looked like when it was new. I haven't been able to figure out a way to remove the old tip and replace it with a new one. But maybe someone on the forum has a suggestion for how this might be possible? I have the rubber slip on covers - but they inevitably fall off and get lost.

Thanks. Mary Louise

View attachment 23613 View attachment 23614

I had the same issue. I took one of my poles to REI to buy the replacement tips and the salesperson was strong enough to unscrew the old one. At home I think I used a small pliers to help turning. As Kanga says, the wavy part does make removal a little difficult, but you can do it!

 

[peregrina2000]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one with this problem! For the life of me, I couldn't figure out how to get those tips off. I needed help at the outdoor store. I cannot figure out why they don't just sell these poles with the "off-road" tips on the pole, covered by rubber tops for easy changing.

Mary Louise, I think the pictures you have there show the pieces pointing in different directions, right? What I mean is tht the metal you see that has worn through the tip on the left has actually worn through at a spot that is at the bottom of the photo at the right. So I think that your tips are no more difficult to remove than anyone else's, it's that wavy screw on thing that causes all the problem.

 

[dougfitz]

I suggested a solution that will allow any regular rubber tip to be used with the z-poles here.

 

[mla1]

Edited to add for others: The problem appears to be that the old tip has been worn down so much that not only the old rubber is completely worn away but the base screw that is usually half covered by the rubber and screws into the pole has been worn down so much itself that there is almost nothing to grip onto to unscrew and remove it. It's a long sentence but what to do???

MichaelSG has it right. And if he weren't on the other side of the world, I might take my poles to his place so we could try his earlier suggestion.

Mary Louise, I think the pictures you have there show the pieces pointing in different directions, right? What I mean is that the metal you see that has worn through the tip on the left has actually worn through at a spot that is at the bottom of the photo at the right. So I think that your tips are no more difficult to remove than anyone else's, it's that wavy screw on thing that causes all the problem.

Hi Laurie - Yes the two pieces are shown going in opposite directions. On my pole you can see that the whole rubber tip has gone - and some of the metal underneath seems also to have worn down - leaving just the top of whatever screws the tip into the pole. So the wavy stuff is a problem, but also the fact that what is left of the tip is almost flush with the black collar on the pole. So there is no room to get any purchase with even a tiny pair of pliers. My sense is that ideally one is supposed to change the rubber tip when there is still some rubber left on the outside to grab onto - maybe with pliers - so you can change it.

I will take the poles to the store to see what they can do.

If I can get the old tips out - my plan is to replace them with the carbon tip and then use dougfitz's method of using a rubber cap, held in place with cloth tape.

I suggested a solution that will allow any regular rubber tip to be used with the z-poles here.

 

[dougfitz]

If I can get the old tips out - my plan is to replace them with the carbon tip and then use dougfitz's method of using a rubber cap, held in place with cloth tape.

This might be an option even if you cannot replace the tip.

You will also see in the photos that I use this technique with the metal tip underneath, giving me the benefits of having both a rubber and metal tip without having to unscrew them. It overcomes at least one of the design limitations of the z-poles.

 

[Urban Trekker]

Last year when I walked from Le Puy to SJPP I used a pair of Black Diamond Z-poles (which I liked very much). I forgot to carry replacement tips . I was using the rubber tips (the actual screw-in tips that come with the poles, not the rubber covers that you just push on). By the time I got to SJPP, the rubber tips had worn down to the metal underneath. You can see in the photos what the tip looks like now and what it looked like when it was new. I haven't been able to figure out a way to remove the old tip and replace it with a new one. But maybe someone on the forum has a suggestion for how this might be possible? I have the rubber slip on covers - but they inevitably fall off and get lost.

Thanks. Mary Louise

View attachment 23613 View attachment 23614

Try some chanel lock pliers or a small pipe wrench to remove the old tips and tighten the new ones. Remember, righty tighty, lefty loosey.
I always carry a spare set. Click click click does not make camino friends
Buen Camino

Happy Trails

 

[peregrina2000]

I hope that all of us Black Diamond Z-poles users can rise up in chorus to Black Diamond customer service and tell them that the average person using their lovely poles is not likely to have "chanel lock pliers" or a "small pipe wrench" (I have no idea what those are) on hand when the time comes to change the tips. Surely this is a feature that needs to be redesigned. Buen camino, Laurie

 

[Kanga]

Hear hear.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Try some chanel lock pliers or a small pipe wrench to remove the old tips and tighten the new ones. Remember, righty tighty, lefty loosey.
I always carry a spare set. Click click click does not make camino friends
Buen Camino

Happy Trails

Hummm.. I wonder how much one of those weighs and how it will affect the backpack 10% rule. Or if I carry it in my Macabi skirt maybe it doens't count?

 

[dougfitz]

I have found the pliers in a small multi-tool sufficient to remove the tips, but they aren't something I was contemplating carrying on my camino.

 

[peregrina2000]

I sent off my comments, here are some ways to do it:

http://blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/customer-service/cs-landing.html

I sent an email to bdmo@bdel.com.
(The address listed for product questions/comments).

On the theory that this is a US company, I'd suggest we all use the US emails regardless of location. Power to the people.

 

[MichaelSG]

ummmmm........ this isn't a design flaw and channel lock pliers aren't going to help the OP anyway, even if she took them on the Camino. Normally, you can use your hand to unscrew the tips of these poles. If the tips are somehow too tight for your grip, any pair of pliers would normally be able to unscrew them and I bet almost every albergue has a pair of pliers available. For the particular tips pictured that Mary Louise mentioned in the original post, you should be able to see that she is trying to replace tips that are about 300km past their "use by dates". The tips should have been changed (using hands or any pair of pliers) before the last of the rubber is gone and much before the base screw has been used as a substitute carbon tip and worn almost completely away. NOW she needs 'special' tools to replace them (one method requires a clamp, hack saw and screwdriver) but as I am sure she will tell you, next time she will be carrying replacement tips (or rubber caps) and easily repairing the poles while it is simple to do.

And.... in advance, I'll apologize for not being able to use written words better to help anyone understand the issue better. I guess I should also apologize to Mary Louise for not living down the street from her. I am pretty sure I could fix them in a few minutes but she likely has some friend who is handy and owns the simple tools needed take care of her unique problem.

 

[peregrina2000]

Normally, you can use your hand to unscrew the tips of these poles.

Well, Michael, oh I wish that were true, but that was not my experience, nor that of several other posters on the forum. It took a lot of work by several different people in the store to get the tops off. And even if it were easy to change them, I don't think it's an optimal design to require someone using the poles to stop, unscrew one set of tips and put on another set of tips when changing from pavement to off road. When I think of how often I changed my Leki tips, merely by pulling out my easy to install rubber tips or popping them off, it seems to me that Black Diamond must be thinking about a different kind of walker. Because it is not a set up that's convenient for people changing terrain as often as we do on caminos. I think the workaround is quite easy, just install the pointed tips and get pull-on and pull-off rubber tips, so I'm not complaining. These poles seem great otherwise, though I haven't used them yet.

 

[Urban Trekker]

Hummm.. I wonder how much one of those weighs and how it will affect the backpack 10% rule. Or if I carry it in my Macabi skirt maybe it doens't count?

I was under the impression she was still at home not on the Camino. I carry a Gerber Dime multitool. 5 cm cloased

I have found the pliers in a small multi-tool sufficient to remove the tips, but they aren't something I was contemplating carrying on my camino.

I carry a Gerber Dime multi tool. 6 cm closed. Slips into my pocket .

 

[Urban Trekker]

Hummm.. I wonder how much one of those weighs and how it will affect the backpack 10% rule. Or if I carry it in my Macabi skirt maybe it doens't count?

I was under the impression she was at home not on the Camino. Buen Camino

 

[dougfitz]

ummmmm........ this isn't a design flaw and channel lock pliers aren't going to help the OP anyway, even if she took them on the Camino. Normally, you can use your hand to unscrew the tips of these poles. If the tips are somehow too tight for your grip, any pair of pliers would normally be able to unscrew them and I bet almost every albergue has a pair of pliers available. For the particular tips pictured that Mary Louise mentioned in the original post, you should be able to see that she is trying to replace tips that are about 300km past their "use by dates". The tips should have been changed (using hands or any pair of pliers) before the last of the rubber is gone and much before the base screw has been used as a substitute carbon tip and worn almost completely away. NOW she needs 'special' tools to replace them (one method requires a clamp, hack saw and screwdriver) but as I am sure she will tell you, next time she will be carrying replacement tips (or rubber caps) and easily repairing the poles while it is simple to do.

And.... in advance, I'll apologize for not being able to use written words better to help anyone understand the issue better. I guess I should also apologize to Mary Louise for not living down the street from her. I am pretty sure I could fix them in a few minutes but she likely has some friend who is handy and owns the simple tools needed take care of her unique problem.

@MichaelSG, I take a quite different view about this. The design of the tip, with its screw in thread, is just one of the design compromises BD made to keep the z-poles extremely light. I recall the company making much of its discussions with the climbing fraternity in particular in reaching this design. They were a pole designed for a niche market segment, not the broader walking market, even though they are now widely sold across the board.

So what are the design compromises here:

• first, the tips cannot easily replaced without other tools. Some of the weight reduction of the poles is offset by the need to carry a small pair of pliers or a multi-tool. If one already does that, it won't be seen as significant, but it is still there.
  
• second, If you need to change tips from the carbon tip to a rubber tip regularly, you cannot do this while walking. I can do this with a conventional rubber tip that slides onto the end of the pole and covers the metal tip. I do it regularly on my walks as I move from a soil surface where I want to reduce the penetration effect of the bare metal tip, and other surfaces where I want to ensure that the pole tip does not slip.
  
• third, the diameter of the pole tip is quite thin - too thin for the company's own regular rubber tips to be securely fitted to the pole. I might cynically suggest that this might have been a deliberate approach to increasing the sales of the specialized screw style tips rather than give their customers the choice of the somewhat cheaper regular tips. Even if it were an oversight rather than a deliberate marketing ploy, it ensures that only BD products can be used as replacement parts. Note that I have already suggested a way of using a regular pole tip (see the link in my earlier post).
• fourth, again on the matter of the diameter of the pole tip, when in use, the rubber tip does not have sufficient contact area to prevent significant penetration into soft soils, increasing the damage that might be done to the environment compared to the regular rubber tips.
• fifth, because regular pole tips cannot be used without some form of modification, these poles cannot, for example, be fitted with the walking style tip that I use in urban areas so that I can use my poles as an adjunct to my training regime.
• sixth, when a regular rubber tips wears out, it merely exposes the underlying metal tip, which then might face additional wear but does not damage the tip itself. As you rightly point out, when the z-poles rubber tip wears out, the exposed metal will wear quickly to the point where it is difficult to replace with normal tools, require specialist tools to remove the remaining stump of the top, and may damage the remaining part of the tip in the process.

These are issues just with the tip. There are other issues with the design that I don't need to go into here. Whether you think of them as flaws or compromises is not the issue here. Expecting owners to address just one of these compromises might have been acceptable, but taken together they present a strong argument that these are not particularly good poles for regular, long distance walking.

 

[dougfitz]

I was under the impression she was still at home not on the Camino. I carry a Gerber Dime multitool. 5 cm cloased

I carry a Gerber Dime multi tool. 6 cm closed. Slips into my pocket .

Is this a fishing story? That Gerber Dime keeps growing each time. Or maybe it's a bloke thing. What you think I think might be 6 cm a woman will only see as 5 cm.

 

[peregrina2000]

@MichaelSG, I take a quite different view about this. The design of the tip, with its screw in thread, is just one of the design compromises BD made to keep the z-poles extremely light. I recall the company making much of its discussions with the climbing fraternity in particular in reaching this design. They were a pole designed for a niche market segment, not the broader walking market, even though they are now widely sold across the board.

So what are the design compromises here:

• first, the tips cannot easily replaced without other tools. Some of the weight reduction of the poles is offset by the need to carry a small pair of pliers or a multi-tool. If one already does that, it won't be seen as significant, but it is still there.
  
• second, If you need to change tips from the carbon tip to a rubber tip regularly, you cannot do this while walking. I can do this with a conventional rubber tip that slides onto the end of the pole and covers the metal tip. I do it regularly on my walks as I move from a soil surface where I want to reduce the penetration effect of the bare metal tip, and other surfaces where I want to ensure that the pole tip does not slip.
  
• third, the diameter of the pole tip is quite thin - too thin for the company's own regular rubber tips to be securely fitted to the pole. I might cynically suggest that this might have been a deliberate approach to increasing the sales of the specialized screw style tips rather than give their customers the choice of the somewhat cheaper regular tips. Even if it were an oversight rather than a deliberate marketing ploy, it ensures that only BD products can be used as replacement parts. Note that I have already suggested a way of using a regular pole tip (see the link in my earlier post).
• fourth, again on the matter of the diameter of the pole tip, when in use, the rubber tip does not have sufficient contact area to prevent significant penetration into soft soils, increasing the damage that might be done to the environment compared to the regular rubber tips.
• fifth, because regular pole tips cannot be used without some form of modification, these poles cannot, for example, be fitted with the walking style tip that I use in urban areas so that I can use my poles as an adjunct to my training regime.
• sixth, when a regular rubber tips wears out, it merely exposes the underlying metal tip, which then might face additional wear but does not damage the tip itself. As you rightly point out, when the z-poles rubber tip wears out, the exposed metal will wear quickly to the point where it is difficult to replace with normal tools, require specialist tools to remove the remaining stump of the top, and may damage the remaining part of the tip in the process.

These are issues just with the tip. There are other issues with the design that I don't need to go into here. Whether you think of them as flaws or compromises is not the issue here. Expecting owners to address just one of these compromises might have been acceptable, but taken together they present a strong argument that these are not particularly good poles for regular, long distance walking.

Doug, what is "gaffer tape"?

 

[dougfitz]

Doug, what is "gaffer tape"?

It's a fabric-backed waterproof tape. I get it in 50m x 50mm rolls, and wrap a much shorter length around a pen or the like.

 

[Kanga]

I just pull regular cheap rubber tips over the top of the metal ones. Like Doug I use some kind of a filler to make them fit - a bit of the grippy non-slip fabric works best for me. I carry spares in case the rubber gets pulled off in a grate or whatever, which happens a few times each camino. I rarely use them without the rubber tips.

 

[Urban Trekker]

Is this a fishing story? That Gerber Dime keeps growing each time. Or maybe it's a bloke thing. What you think I think might be 6 cm a woman will only see as 5 cm.

I'm used to inches not metric but as I recall 2.5 cm equals 1 inch. My Gerber is 2 inches, 5 cm..... ops, long when closed. Buen Camino Dougfitz

 

[Urban Trekker]

It's a fabric-backed waterproof tape. I get it in 50m x 50mm rolls, and wrap a much shorter length around a pen or the like.

Also called Duct tape. I carry a back packers roll in my camino pack.

 

[peregrina2000]

Also called Duct tape. I carry a back packers roll in my camino pack.

I know what duct tape is. But Doug describes it as "fabric backed." I see items in the US described as "gaffer tape," but it's really expensive. So I'll stick with duct tape for the Black Diamond tip problem.

BTW, I always wrap a several long stretches of duct tape around my poles to be used when needed. I have found an amazing variety of problems that duct tape can solve.

 

[Urban Trekker]

I know what duct tape is. But Doug describes it as "fabric backed." I see items in the US described as "gaffer tape," but it's really expensive. So I'll stick with duct tape for the Black Diamond tip problem.

BTW, I always wrap a several long stretches of duct tape around my poles to be used when needed. I have found an amazing variety of problems that duct tape can solve.

Like pilgrim shoe blowout

 

[dougfitz]

Also called Duct tape. I carry a back packers roll in my camino pack.

It is a common misconception that they are the same. Gaffer tape is designed to be easily removed following use, such as is needed when it is used for stage work and temporary cabling for audio-visual equipment set ups. For the camino, the differences are probably unimportant!

 

[egar]

I also have the Black Diamond Z-Poles. I really like the light weight and compact size when folded. I wasn't a fan of the small, hard rubber tips that came on the poles so I switched them out for Black Diamond Flex Tips (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005FNCN98/?tag=casaivar02-20). This gave me the option to use the larger slide on rubber tips without the need of tools. I also find the large, soft rubber tips give me much more grip when on hard surfaces. Another benefit is the flex tips can accommodate baskets if you need them for soft terrain or snow.

Changing the tips was very easy. First I boiled a pot of water. Then I put the Z-Pole tips in the the boiling water for about 30 seconds. This softened up the glue and allowed me to pull off the original Z-Pole tips. Immediately, while the glue was still warm and soft, I slid on the flex tips, and pushed them into place by tapping the pole firmly on a block of wood. Be careful, when pulling the old tips off, they will be hot, use a pot holder or rag to avoid burning your hand. I replaced my original Z-Poles tips nearly two years ago and have been very pleased with the more traditional flex tips.

 

[mla1]

Hi all - somehow I missed a good part of this thread. Thanks for all the suggestions.

To finish the story of the badly damaged tips: Because Michael SG does not live down the street from me, I canvassed other friends for tools. No one was willing to cut into the tip itself as he had suggested, which, had someone been able to do it carefully, would have been the best option for protecting the pole. We got the tips off eventually with WD 40 and a very tiny pair of needlenose pliers. It does look like we did a bit of damange to the black plastic 'wave' edge on the pole itself. I have now put the metal tips on the poles - though I am not sure they are tightening up as much as they should. I am off this afternoon to get rubber tip covers, which I will use with a bit of tape as suggested by dougfitz and others. I will see if they can tighten the metal tips better than I have been able to.

One last question: In what conditions would one actually want to use the metal tips without a cover? It's -25 degrees C here today, which makes me think that the metal might be good on ice, but where else might want/need the metal tips?

thanks,
Mary Louise

 

[egar]

I use my metal (carbide) tips on virtually all unpaved surfaces. The metal tips have a much better bite and do not slip as much as rubber tips would. They are also great on snow and ice. Like you, I live in a cold climate and the metal tips are a big help in avoid slips and falls when walking in the winter.

 

[gemgemsy]

I had exactly the same problem - the original tips wore down, I bought new ones at REI today but couldn't figure out how to switch them. Found this chain, tried removing them with pliers and it worked a treat! Thank you all! FWIW on the packet of replacement tips it says rubber is best for rock, dirt or paved trails and carbide for snow, ice and other wet or hard surfaces. I'll be using my shiny new rubber tips on the Camino Frances starting next week! Thanks again

 

[mla1]

On the vdlp last month, I put the black diamond rubber covers over the tips - wrapped the pole first with a bit of duct tape, as per dougfitz's suggestion above, to help the covers stay on. They stayed put for 38 days. I never bothered to take them off.

 

[Ronald Boivin]

Last year when I walked from Le Puy to SJPP I used a pair of Black Diamond Z-poles (which I liked very much). I forgot to carry replacement tips . I was using the rubber tips (the actual screw-in tips that come with the poles, not the rubber covers that you just push on). By the time I got to SJPP, the rubber tips had worn down to the metal underneath. You can see in the photos what the tip looks like now and what it looked like when it was new. I haven't been able to figure out a way to remove the old tip and replace it with a new one. But maybe someone on the forum has a suggestion for how this might be possible? I have the rubber slip on covers - but they inevitably fall off and get lost.

Thanks. Mary Louise

View attachment 23613 View attachment 23614

You have to unscrew with a screwdriver or vice grip then remove the old top then put in a new tip of your choice. On my caminos, I would change the tops friending in the terrain I foresaw … rubber for city walking and carbide tips for mountain or dirt.

if the ends of the poles get too worn out, it can be difficult to unscrew. News tips are about $18 (CDN) or 12€. I always carried 3 sets.

Don’t throw out the old tips in case you need replacements st the end. I would use the used carbide Ones cobmvered with duct tape if I ran out if rubber ones.

 

[C clearly]

You have to unscrew with a screwdriver or vice grip then remove the old top then put in a new tip of your choice. On my caminos, I would change the tops friending in the terrain I foresaw … rubber for city walking and carbide tips for mountain or dirt.

if the ends of the poles get too worn out, it can be difficult to unscrew. News tips are about $18 (CDN) or 12€. I always carried 3 sets.

Don’t throw out the old tips in case you need replacements st the end. I would use the used carbide Ones cobmvered with duct tape if I ran out if rubber ones.

Thanks for the detailed reply. I'll just point out that the thread is 5 years old.

 

[Ronald Boivin]

Thanks for the detailed reply. I'll just point out that the thread is 5 years old.

Let them soak in oil for a day if you can or use WD 40 and let it soak in the thread. You can also wrap an ice-filled plastic bag around the inside part and pour boiling water over the top only ten try to unscrew.
May be worth bringing to a garage actually. They can do wonders!

 

[Kanga]

Thanks for the detailed reply. I'll just point out that the thread is 5 years old.

Yes! And we are still having the same problem. I'm inclined to send a link to this thread to Black Diamond. They really do need to do something about the tips of their poles, love my Black Diamond poles as I do, it is a very annoying problem.

 

[ranthr]

I have used this poles for years (12) and the first thing I do is to change the black tips into the the screw that follows the pack, you need a pig not a black plastic end when you walk the camino.When the screw tip make to much noise, you put your poles together and donot use them or put a rubber head on the end.

 

[Ronald Boivin]

Yes! And we are still having the same problem. I'm inclined to send a link to this thread to Black Diamond. They really do need to do something about the tips of their poles, love my Black Diamond poles as I do, it is a very annoying problem.

Can you send me a closeup picture of the worn tips

 

[dougfitz]

Yes! And we are still having the same problem. I'm inclined to send a link to this thread to Black Diamond. They really do need to do something about the tips of their poles, love my Black Diamond poles as I do, it is a very annoying problem.

To give some credit to BD, they do now produce a 'after-market' rubber tip that fits over the end of the Z-poles normal tip whether you are using the metal tip or the rubber tip provided with the pole. This is similar to the rubber tips from other makers, but has a much smaller bore diameter. I think that it would be about an 8mm diameter hole, rather than the 11-12 mm diameter hole that thicker poles need.

They are also using the screw-in metal tip on their other poles, and have been for some time. I only found this out by accident when I lost the metal part of the whole pole tip, and went to find a replacement. I couldn't, and because these particular poles have been my favourites for my morning walks on asphalt and concrete paths near home, I was keen to find a solution. I did manage to remove the whole pole tip from both poles, but fortunately took a closer look, and realised that the metal part was the same screw in arrangement as my wife's z-poles.

While she looked at me rather strangely as she helped replace the tip assemblies she had just helped me remove, it was a much quicker fix to buy a pack of two screw in metal tips than get the whole pole tip assembly.

As an aside, I have seen a similar, smaller bore, pole tip from Komperdell, but only in Europe. It isn't something that I have seen here in Oz.

And as another aside, while I haven't tried the smaller bore rubber tip, the BD regular rubber tip was, I thought, the best value tip on the market at the time. The newer ones have almost doubled in price here, but still seem to have a reasonable wear life, which still makes them pretty good value.

 

[Kanga]

I confess to not having used by BD poles since the last camino which, sadly due to the pandemic, is now two years ago. Time flies faster than the weavers shuttle...

 

[dick bird]

Doug, what is "gaffer tape"?

AKA duct tape, it's a thick strong, adhesive tape used by plumbers (duct tape) and electricians (gaffer) tape. If you are one of those people who obsessively read the credits at the end of movies, you will see a credit for 'gaffer'. This is not a cockney boss, it is the person who runs around taping down all the cables snaking around the movie set/studio. Sold at hardware stores around the world and reputedly capable of repairing anything that can't otherwise be fixed with WD40 or baler twine.

 

[dougfitz]

AKA duct tape, it's a thick strong, adhesive tape used by plumbers (duct tape) and electricians (gaffer) tape.

This is a common misconception, and I have pointed out the differences earlier in this thread (ie, over five years ago). Gaffer tape is fabric backed and has a heat resistant adhesive which allows it to be removed without damaging the surfaces it was stuck to. Duct tape is a vinyl backed tape, less heat resistant, and not intended to be removed.
It seems the use of the term 'duct tape' or 'duck tape' to refer to both gaffer tape and traditional vinyl backed tapes is becoming more common. And on the camino, it probably doesn't really make much difference provided you have something when you need it.