Owl Engineering
Forum Supporter
I started building scoops in the early 80's. Frankly, technology was a little primitive as well as my design approach. My first scoop was cold rolled steel that was not strong and rusted in salt water.
Time rolled on with design changes but it becase clear weight became a critical consideration. I fought it for years: how to make a light scoop that would stand up to the torture of metal detecting in the water.
About 5 years ago while trying to cut a few ounces out of the metal part I realized that the handle had been ignored and something needed to be done.
I was "All In" with Carbon Fiber since about 1 pound could be saved.
Sunspot was the first and only with Carbon Fiber and although we had a couple minor problems in the beginning, we worked our way through the problems.
Now all of a sudden everyone is a Carbon Fiber expert, or are they?
One comical example is that one supplier "fills with foam so it will float". Simply put, this makes the handle heavier.
Another uses such a thick wall that you are beginning to void the advantages of C.F. I have also seen way too thin of a wall.
Some builders glue a wood core inside
Why use Carbon Fiber? light weight is the only real answer since wood is plenty strong.
Comments have been made that some handles are sold for 3-6 times their cost. Dream on. We are lucky to make $20 per handle since there is so much labor in doing it right. As an example, we use the finest marine epoxy with a metal insert on the bottom for securing the handle and a turned cap on the other end.
Our handles have an exclusive feature which I call a "fish scale" texture which give a nice grip when pulling the scoop up.
Yes, we want to sell handles and make a profit but we feel building a superior product is the only way to go. We plan to stay one step ahead of the Knock-Off boys which is not hard to do
Chuck
Time rolled on with design changes but it becase clear weight became a critical consideration. I fought it for years: how to make a light scoop that would stand up to the torture of metal detecting in the water.
About 5 years ago while trying to cut a few ounces out of the metal part I realized that the handle had been ignored and something needed to be done.
I was "All In" with Carbon Fiber since about 1 pound could be saved.
Sunspot was the first and only with Carbon Fiber and although we had a couple minor problems in the beginning, we worked our way through the problems.
Now all of a sudden everyone is a Carbon Fiber expert, or are they?
One comical example is that one supplier "fills with foam so it will float". Simply put, this makes the handle heavier.
Another uses such a thick wall that you are beginning to void the advantages of C.F. I have also seen way too thin of a wall.
Some builders glue a wood core inside
Why use Carbon Fiber? light weight is the only real answer since wood is plenty strong.
Comments have been made that some handles are sold for 3-6 times their cost. Dream on. We are lucky to make $20 per handle since there is so much labor in doing it right. As an example, we use the finest marine epoxy with a metal insert on the bottom for securing the handle and a turned cap on the other end.
Our handles have an exclusive feature which I call a "fish scale" texture which give a nice grip when pulling the scoop up.
Yes, we want to sell handles and make a profit but we feel building a superior product is the only way to go. We plan to stay one step ahead of the Knock-Off boys which is not hard to do
Chuck