Cutting poles a worn-out subject....

[Bruce Caldwell]

Cutting poles a worn-out subject....
Maybe for those who refuse to listen to the reasoning?

Please do not alter or cut vaulting poles no matter the brand.

The practice of taking as an example a flex of 18.0's and trimming 1-3 inches off will result in a measurement of one of them being an 18.3. But will it really be an 18.3? NO
1. The pattern of the pole did not change.
2. The wall thickness did not change except where you now concentrate energy.
3. All this does is move the whole sail reinforcement down and moves the area that receives the most energy down, possibly exposing energy concentration on an area not able to hold the load.

RESULTS the pole breaks off at the tip of the sail piece.
That which is similar to flexing the pole in the box.

[Rhino]

If you are holding down 18" on a pole, aren't you causing the pole to flex below optimum? If so, wouldn't cutting six inches off in order to hold one foot from the top move the bend more toward where the pole is meant to bend? Also, I don't like a lot of pole above my handhold to knock the bar off. Of course it would be better to buy a pole of the right length to start with, but I want to make best use of my inventory.
Please comment.

[Bruce Caldwell]

If the pole is held in the effective grip area desinated by the manufactuer
which is usually a 1 foot area the pole will perform best.
Cutting the pole at the top does nothing but ruin the resale value.
Cutting the pole at the bottom lowers the sail reinforcement to a dangerious position reducing stiffness resisitance, but not the maximum load potential of the pole.
Yes I do understand the need to cut corners for economics, but not safety.