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karabin museum
Trad climber
phoenix, az
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Aug 10, 2010 - 11:12pm PT
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Rockjockrob, Sweet photo of the Dolt stuff! You outbid me on the Teechock, but I scored the blue/orange-K Dolt Hammer holster.
I like the green So-Ill banner that is under the glass in your display. Those So-Ill guys totally rock! You also are showing a used bong from Jim Bridwell.........Coolness!
Have fun collecting!
Rock on! Marty
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rockjockrob
Boulder climber
Tempe, Arizona
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Aug 11, 2010 - 07:59pm PT
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I vaguely remember a holster being up for auction, but I missed that it was Dolt!
It is a Bridwell Bong! and the SoIll Guys, well they are top notch. I would not be surprised to find threads like this for their grips in ten years. SoIll Stories... Hmmm.?
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BBA
climber
OF
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Aug 11, 2010 - 10:39pm PT
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I got the hammer and holster before I became known as BBA, so I carved my true initials, WA, into the hammer handle in a clever logo as one can see. If one looks closely at the left side of the handle wood, one can see two slight indentations. The handle split and after glue I put screws in to hold it together. The indentations are where the screws are located. Sweet hammer.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Aug 12, 2010 - 11:37am PT
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Now that is a well worn hammer! Thanks for posting the photo, Bill.
Would you mind measuring the overall length of your Dolt hammer? It looks to have a handle that is longer than a Chouinard hammer.
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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Aug 12, 2010 - 11:42am PT
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BBA
Why am I reminded of an Egyptian mummy?
WA-must be the real William Amborn.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Aug 12, 2010 - 11:43am PT
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And what's with the beautiful sketch behind the hammer?
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karabin museum
Trad climber
phoenix, az
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Aug 12, 2010 - 07:36pm PT
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BBA aka WA, The hammer you show is shown in the 1958 Dolt catalog but I do not believe that Dolt created this hammer. He only sold it. All of the Dolt items in the catalogs that are Dolt made are listed as Dolt. This hammer he wrote "This is a hammer made for rock climbers." It is available in 16 ounce or 20 ounce weight. In 1958-1960 Dolt distributed/retailed a lot of other manufacturers stuff. I believe the hammer you show was mfgd in Europe. The Dolt hammers from 1967 models 22M, 22R, 17M, 17R are one piece made of steel with a rubber handle grip. I have yet to see a Dolt created hammer that has a wood handle. Maybe somebody out there has evidence that Dolt manufactured hammers pre 1966?
Your hammer still has value for sure! Dolt however received the hammers then personally wrapped shiny black tape on the wood handle just under the hammer head so the head did not come loose. I wonder if that tape is still present on your hammer? Your hammer handle looks original.
Rock on! Marty
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bergbryce
Mountain climber
Oakland
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Aug 12, 2010 - 10:12pm PT
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This is an excellent thread.
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BBA
climber
OF
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Aug 12, 2010 - 10:28pm PT
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I merely scanned the hammer on my HP G3110 flatbed. I don't know why the one area shows red, unless it is the eye of the devil which often shows out in technological products. The hammer is 10 5/8" (10.625) stem to stern. It could be a little longer, like 10.666 inches if you count the nubs at the end.
In the spirit of science I started to take off the black tape to see how things looked under there, but it has become a fused mass, rather like 70 year old cabling in underfloor conduits I have encountered.
The hammer does have value. I still use it to beat the crap out of anything needing it in my yard, rocks, concrete, ...
WAmborn
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karabin museum
Trad climber
phoenix, az
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Aug 12, 2010 - 10:37pm PT
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BBA, The hammer you have is a beautiful piece! Thank you so much for showing it to us. If you ever have an itch to get rid of it, I know this Dolt addict in Arizona that is looking for one. It's cool that you remembered that your hammer did not have the tape on it when you first purchased it.
Do you know what year you purchased the hammer?
Rock on! Marty
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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Aug 12, 2010 - 11:28pm PT
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Since we have some Longware in here, maybe it is good time to see a shot of Dr Long and Steck at the Nose Reunion. Two of my heroes as a kid growing up in Berkeley.
Along with Roper these old boys made the 3rd ascent of the Salathe.
I always thought Dick Long was the most natural and talented climber I had ever seen.
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BBA
climber
OF
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Aug 13, 2010 - 07:23pm PT
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I took some time and removed the tape. It was what I call exacto-ing work. And I apologize for erring in not remembering the original tape on the handle. In the layers of tape I removed, there were two types. When you look at the scan you can see where the lighter wood near the hammer head is, and that had some really old tape. That wood is mostly unscarred except near the head where I missed pitons and it crunched the metal into the wood. On top of the old tape was my meta bundle of tape, and you can see the lines where it ended down the handle a bit. This fits into what pictures by others in the thread have said was the way the Dolt taped the handle.
I saved samples of the two tapes, but really don't want to put them on the glass of my scanner.
OK, so there are four pictures, the last one being a close up of the side of the hammer head. It is hard to read, but it has to be "HOLUBAR". The only letter that is missing entirely is the "H".
The other question is, when did I buy the hammer? I started climbing in October 1958, and did my first route at Tahquitz on March 28, 1959 according to a pen and ink entry in my old guidebook. I therefore purchased the hammer between those dates, most likely in December 1959 as I went on a desert trip in early January of 1959.
So, my fortune is assured! What am I bid for this priceless treasure!
Bill Amborn
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Aug 15, 2010 - 05:52pm PT
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Bill,
Is that O in HOLUBAR struck with a double outline to look like a carabiner or something?
I wonder who forged the head? Holubar definitely sold cromoly sheet ringless angles so they shifted towards hard steel products for a short while before abandoning hardware sales entirely.
What did you climb or attempt on your desert trip?
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BBA
climber
OF
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Aug 15, 2010 - 07:44pm PT
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Steve - I was of two minds on that "O", either what you said or the happenstance of random marks plus a straight line of the "H" before and of the "L" after making the "O" look special. The head was stamped on both sides, but it didn't help me. I took a strong light to the face along with a magnifying glass, but nothing for sure came out. So I need stronger light or magnification or eyes or all three.
OK, I just made a rubbing of it on one side and it shows out better. For my eyes it only says HOLUBAR, the "O" is nothing special. Blow it up and you'll see. If you want an e-mail with the original scan of the rubbing, let me know.
I believe the winter trip from UCLA included the Chiricahuas, Cochise Stronghold and ended up at Monument Peak, the first ascent of which is also in that 1940 Sierra Club Bulletin I sent to you. And, by the way, your scan and post of the Shiprock first ascent was very nicely done. The original write up added to the thread - especially the art work.
Bill Amborn
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Aug 15, 2010 - 07:49pm PT
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Thanks for the detective work! HOLUBAR plain and simple.
Did you guys climb anything in the Chiricahuas or Cochise Stronghold?
The Shiprock article is superb. Thanks again!
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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Aug 15, 2010 - 09:47pm PT
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Is there a remote chance Stubai made the hammers for Holubar?
In the late 50s and early 60s I think the only "stores" where we could purchase climbing gear were: The Ski Hut, Gerry, Holubar and the orig REI at 523 Pike St Seattle. I purchased a great deal of gear via Sporthaus Shuster in Munich.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Aug 15, 2010 - 10:34pm PT
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That is exactly the sort of source connections I would love to sort out!
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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Aug 15, 2010 - 11:04pm PT
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What the hell are we doing sitting home on a beautiful Sun night " messing about" on ST?
We could be at the pub, in church, or even out climbing. I did spend the afternoon with my daughter, better than all the above combined.
cheers
Guido
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Aug 15, 2010 - 11:51pm PT
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I spent a little time restoring the mirror finish on one of Ken Boche's Cobra hooks. Almost there...
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BooDawg
Social climber
On the Road, Pacific Slope
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Aug 15, 2010 - 11:59pm PT
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I'm with Guido; I spent the last 2 weeks with my daughter searching for the right college, and it was one of the best connections I've had with her.
Steve, I'm SO PLEASED to see you haven't been idle since our meeting and hand-off on Thursday night. Can't wait to see what you do with the DoltPeg that came with the Cobra!
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