Rerun: Rainey Design’s Hammerhead (v1)

 

As a first year binding it is tough to rationalize awarding the Hammerhead an Editor’s Choice for telemark bindings. However, we couldn’t ignore the improvements either.

When the beta version arrived it was clear that a new standard in control had been set, and for some that is reason enough. However, lots of folks like a more neutral feeling binding, preferring to rely on their own technique to get them through the tough moments. A neutral flexing binding also means less fatigue on uphill climbs. The Hammerhead not only accommodates that, but when it also delivered randonnée-like freedom of the heel for skinning, the award was inescapable.

Many testers have commented that the Hammerhead will revolutionize telemarking. It seems a lofty statement, even if it does raise the bar for downhill control and uphill freedom in the same package. I’ll agree with the claim, but for different reasons.

Revolutionary Beta Test Program
The most revolutionary thing about the Hammerhead was the beta program that helped produce it. Rather than rely on “inside” testers Rainey took the Hammerhead public, asking customers to join the test team. Three hundred telemarkers paid full pop to give tons of feedback that allowed Rainey to pack 5 years of upgrades into the first revision. He also rebuilt a trust with customers that the SuperLoop had tarnised and while he was at it, built a word-of-mouth sales force 300 strong.

Synthesis of Components
There is no single element of the Hammerhead that creates this increase in power. Instead, it is the combination of parts that add up to the dramatic change.

The Hammerhead consists of a single, 6 inch long compression spring underfoot, housed beneath a 21mm high shim. A block of plastic resembling the head of a hammerhead shark (hence the name) fits over the front of the spring. The cable runs around the front of this block, while both ends run back under the boot, inside two channels formed by a gap between the shim and the toe plate.

By routing the cable underfoot two things result. The pivot points are effectively moved further back which translates into a larger component of force pulling your heel down, and in turn, the ball of your foot. However, if you take the time to actually look at ball of foot pressure in ANY telemark boot you will quickly realize that true ball of foot pressure, wherein your boot actually contacts the binding or shim, is a figment of your sensation. In other words, your boot never really makes contact, but you feel like it does because the pressure from the boot back through the ball of your foot is so strong. This is where the second component of routing the cable underfoot comes in. Not only do you feel pressure from your boot on your foot, but the tension of the cable, which actually contacts your boot and gives it something to push against, is also contributing to the pressure on your foot. So you really are feeling more pressure, and developing more control. Furthermore you naturally pull up on the outside cable, which contributes to greater pressure on your inside ski edge.

The spring allows a smooth, progressive engagement of spring tension and a full 2” (50mm) of travel, enough to prevent bottoming the spring out, and ripping the binding out of your skis; even for size 13 feet doing starfish turns.

Freedom of the Heel
By adjusting the cable guides to the front position you can attain a fairly neutral feel, or can get even more freedom by loosening the cable to be less snug and/or by completely removing the cable guides.

Adjustability
The Hammerhead requires no tools for adjustment. To move the pivots, push the locking button and slide the cable guide in the cable track. Okay in warm conditions, but I’d recommend a small screwdriver in the field to help push the pin in and perhaps to clear the path. Adjusting cable length is a matter of spinning the cable sheath going in to the heel. There is enough throw distance on the heel lever so that by making small adjustments in cable length you can quickly increase cable tension.

Complaints
While possible, and arguably easy at that, changing pivot points for more or less flex resistance still requires taking your skis off and fussing with the binding. Compared to any randonnée binding available in the U.S., it still has a ways to go for ultimate mode switching convenience. Nonetheless, it offers more range of motion and/or tension than any other telemark binding today.

Durability
The weak points are the push buttons on the cable guides; they’re notorious for wearing away, or enlarging the mating holes. Although the mounting area is dramatically increased to improve binding retention, so to are the forces it creates to rip it from a ski. My guess is you only need be concerned if you put the pivots way back and have large feet. Even at that, it’ll probably hold until you want to replace your old skis anyway.

22 Designs
Hammerhead
MSRP: $225 (original price was only $199)
Weight/pair: 3.2 lbs. (1451 g)

© 2001

This is a reprint of an article that first appear in Couloir Magazine Vol. XIV-1, Oct. 2001.
 

Epilog

In 2005, 22 Designs purchased Rainey Designs and continued producing the binding with very minor adjustments to the binding through 2012. They created a free-pivoting version of Hammerhead called Axl that maintained the same underfoot cable routing with easier to adjust power pivot points. The spring system was different than Hammerhead and in an effort to streamline sourcing costs the Vice telemark binding was created, effectively ending production of Hammerhead. It is one of the few, true, legendary telemark binding designs that had an effect on nearly every telemark binding design since its inception although its inventor, Russell Rainey, would be quick to point out even Hammerhead borrowed from other, less successful designs (the Pitbull), only with a better execution.

© 2012