Sick of slimy hands and sub-par chalk, Kevin Brown, co-owner of the Denver Bouldering Club, recently decided enough was enough and invented Friction Labs, a new innovative chalk company that takes it to the next level, utilizing pure magnesium carbonate (all other brands utilize a mixture of that with calcium carbonate). In the video, he explains the details of why having a mixture of the two can make your hands slimy, especially in less that ideal conditions, and why Friction Labs uses only pure magic.
My Review:
The chalk I was sent (Unicorn Dust) reminded me of my beloved Frank Endo Gymnast Chalk, which I love because one need crush it to bits continually to break it up. I've always felt like this gets the chalk more deeply set into my skin. I also feel like a badass crushing something in my fingers before I crush my climbs like the Hulk be smashing buildings!
Alas, I have kissed the Endo goodbye. In a friggin heart beat. Here's why:
1. Itty Bitties!
Friction Labs chalk feels the same as the Endo, little bits to break up. This was the first thing I noticed about my Unicorn Dust (ground from the horns of the endangered species; you're a sick man Kevin Brown!)
2. It Stays!
After climbing a few problems, I looked down at my hands. They still had chalk on them. On the tips. "Hmm..," I thought. "I must have chalked up without thinking about it." I chalked again. Climbed again. Same thing. It was taking at least 2 problems before I needed to chalk again! Ack! How will I feed my compulsion to chalk my hands every 30 seconds from the moment I walk in the door of the gym, or set my pad down at the boulders???
3. No Huge Plumes Of Dust In The Air.
After applying liberal amounts of chalk (as I am wont to do) I will sometimes clap my hands. This is either to make a grand appearance like when a band walks on stage through smoke, or to let others know I'm about to climb because, hey, huge cloud of chalk here, uh, climbing? Doubtless this will save countless air filters in the near future as well as keep us from getting Climbers' Lung (no, that's not a real thing).
4. It Flippin' Works!
You can literally hear the moisture from your skin crying as it is being captured and dragged away by the molecules in the chalk and thrown into a perpetual dry prison. Then the magic begins and your tips are instantly transformed into 80 grit sandpaper quality. Then you send and gain sponsorship. I personally got 4 emails from various companies wanting to give me money just after opening the bag. But seriously, I honestly felt more controlled on every hold and could tell there was something different going on here.
5. Free Sample!
First, like them on facebook. Then, visit their website. Email them your name and address, and boom. You can get your own free baggy of cocai---er--chalk. (sneeze!). I just signed up for my monthly fix, which will be well worth the pittance it will cost each month to have it delivered to my door! Tell us what you think, and thank Mr. Brown for his brilliant creation.
Stay Psyched!
