Black Diamond Carbon Whippet 2018-2019 Unboxing Teardown and Modding

It’s not really a box, but everything is bundled with zip ties so the retail process stays as pristine as the crisp white powder you will probably experience once you have this ski pole in your glove nestled hand.

Tip safety protector and socket filler come nicely packaged.

Socket filler plug, protects inside of pole when pick is not installed.

Socket filler plug installed, it’s somewhat difficult to remove. If you use this often it might be worth installing a loop of string to help with removal.

After breaking a fingernail getting the socket filler out, I modded with a pull string. This might exceed the threshold for reasonable hardware hacking. Hints, bore holes with heated steel such as reversed drill bit, make hole in top as well as another hole in the hidden part of the plug and knot through that, otherwise your stopper knot will just pull through the soft plastic.

Whippet tip protector has a clever little elasticized clip. Elegant, yet perhaps a bit redundant considering how easy it is to remove the Whippet. In any case, if all you do is snow work with this tool, no reason for it to be razor sharp. Ease off the edges and the point a bit with file and sandpaper. The teeth under the pick are especially shark like — clearly more shelf-appeal item than of any practical value — they’ll serve nicely to wear out your gloves, ease ’em.

For quickly easing points and edges, sanding disk in rotary grinder, then finish with hand sanding.

Details.

Whippet attaches with a simple, solid system. A 5 mm rod simply rotates into a threaded socket.

Another view.

In the name of science, the grip was removed so you can see how the pick attaches to threaded insert at top of pole. The fitting appears to be pressed in, perhaps with some adhesive. Grip was removed with ANSI certified boiling water methodology. Do NOT try at home!

Just to be clear on how the Whippet fits together.

All leading one to think, how about a few accessories? Most obvious, make a monopod camera adapter. Got some 1/4-20 all-thread rod, a plastic “universal” knob with a 1/4″ bore, and a nylon plastic 1/2 inch cylindrical spacer. Back to the maker space for the build.

Drill out the knob to 7/32″ and tap to 1/4-20 so the rod threads in nice and solid.

Allthread in the knob. Next, cut to length matching factory unit, tap about an inch on the end to the 5 mm thread required by the factory female fitting inside the Whippet ski pole.

Thread end to 5 millimeter, matching factory unit.

Measuring length for cutting.

Assembled adapter uses 1/2 inch diameter nylon spacer, has to be eased about a millimeter down to fit 12 millimeter pole socket. Easily done with sanding disk on rotary grinder.

Finished product, assembled with plentiful J-Bweld epoxy.

Bipod mount in use, nice for video work.

Bonus shot. The Carbon Whippet comes with an aluminum ring on the upper shaft, intended for lower grip while climbing. I somewhat like the idea, but not for certain. In the name of science I removed. Turns out the ring is tightly press fit with some adhesive underneath. What’s odd is the shaft has a join under the ring. Research is ongoing.

The mystery ring in OEM condition is visible in this photo from Alex’s review.