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ErnestC3
Nov 22, 2011, 9:58 AM
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I'm switching chalk from an old brand to another.
Should I just mix them up?
Or use up all the old chalk, pat the bag dry, then refill it?
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sbaclimber
Nov 22, 2011, 10:53 AM
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ErnestC3 wrote: I'm switching chalk from an old brand to another. Should I just mix them up? Or use up all the old chalk, pat the bag dry, then refill it?
You need to buy a new chalk bag. Even the smallest amount of old chalk left in the bag will ruin the new chalk. Washing the old bag generally doesn't work either, because most detergents can't fully remove chalk. Dry cleaning the old bag *might* work, if you are lucky.
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mikebee
Nov 22, 2011, 11:14 AM
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I wouldn't swap brands of chalk (magnesium carbonate) if I was you.
If remenant traces of your old chalk come into contact with any of the new chalk, the results could be quite fatal. This mixing or contact can happen anywhere, on your hands, under your fingernails, or even on the holds at your local crag. In a very simplistic sense, the different isotopes of Magnesium used in the chalk collide and create a form of chemical pressure that forces the Carbonate ionic compounds to act as an acid. If this happens on your hands, that acid leeches into your blood and limphatic systems and will cause a rapid but particularly painful death.
Imagine you blood turning to a strong acid, you'll melt away from the inside.
If you must change brands, be sure to not only purchase a new chalk bag, but to sandpaper off the outer 2 layers of skin of your hands, rip your nails back until they bleed and sponge clean every hold on every climb at your local crag.
I'm guessing this wasn't explained to you when you started, but, basically, your first chalk choice is a chalk choice for life.
If you must change, good luck with it.
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sbaclimber
Nov 22, 2011, 12:32 PM
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mikebee wrote: If remenant traces of your old chalk come into contact with any of the new chalk, the results could be quite fatal.
As far as I know, no one has actually died from it. But some serious hand and finger exfoliation and finger-nail delamination are definitely some of the least serious side effects of mixing chalks.
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olderic
Nov 22, 2011, 2:34 PM
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It's a little known fact but it is believed that the cause of the spontaneous combustion of the Spinal Tap drummers was switching the brand of chalk used to get a better grip on the sticks. The new mixed with the residue on the sticks and the rest is history.
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shockabuku
Nov 22, 2011, 2:49 PM
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ErnestC3 wrote: I'm switching chalk from an old brand to another. Should I just mix them up? Or use up all the old chalk, pat the bag dry, then refill it?
Your chalk is wet? No wonder you want to change brands.
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tH1e-swiN1e
Nov 22, 2011, 3:05 PM
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He hasnt responded........ you think he died?
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edge
Nov 22, 2011, 3:16 PM
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olderic wrote: It's a little known fact but it is believed that the cause of the spontaneous combustion of the Spinal Tap drummers was switching the brand of chalk used to get a better grip on the sticks. The new mixed with the residue on the sticks and the rest is history.
Eric, that movie came out before half the users on this site were born.
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jae8908
Nov 22, 2011, 3:17 PM
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tH1e-swiN1e wrote: He hasnt responded........ you think he died?
Probably, the whole chalk thing is what happened to both of my arms. Luckily I got them amputated before the acid spread into my core. Anyone else here climb with no arms?
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SylviaSmile
Nov 22, 2011, 3:21 PM
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Wow, I had no idea mixing different chalk brands was even an issue! I bought a block of chalk and then, later, a chalk sock and stuck them in the same chalk bag--good thing they both happened to be Metolius, haha. :)
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SylviaSmile
Nov 22, 2011, 3:33 PM
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sbaclimber wrote: SylviaSmile wrote: --good thing they both happened to be Metolius, haha. :) Wow, you were very lucky! 
Seriously. Who would have thought that taking chemistry in high school might have actually been useful to me? Ah well . . .
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SylviaSmile
Nov 22, 2011, 3:39 PM
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lol
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olderic
Nov 22, 2011, 4:33 PM
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edge wrote: olderic wrote: It's a little known fact but it is believed that the cause of the spontaneous combustion of the Spinal Tap drummers was switching the brand of chalk used to get a better grip on the sticks. The new mixed with the residue on the sticks and the rest is history. Eric, that movie came out before half the users on this site were born.
Frankly my dear - I don't give a damn.
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6pacfershur
Nov 22, 2011, 10:13 PM
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sbaclimber wrote: ErnestC3 wrote: I'm switching chalk from an old brand to another. Should I just mix them up? Or use up all the old chalk, pat the bag dry, then refill it? Neither of those options are very good. You need to buy a new chalk bag. Even the smallest amount of old chalk left in the bag will ruin the new chalk. Washing the old bag generally doesn't work either, because most detergents can't fully remove chalk. Dry cleaning the old bag *might* work, if you are lucky.
first time i ever heard that one....
ive switched/mixed chalk brands in the same bag more times than i can count and never had any skin or fingernails melt off my hands....do it!
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csproul
Nov 22, 2011, 10:18 PM
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6pacfershur wrote: sbaclimber wrote: ErnestC3 wrote: I'm switching chalk from an old brand to another. Should I just mix them up? Or use up all the old chalk, pat the bag dry, then refill it? Neither of those options are very good. You need to buy a new chalk bag. Even the smallest amount of old chalk left in the bag will ruin the new chalk. Washing the old bag generally doesn't work either, because most detergents can't fully remove chalk. Dry cleaning the old bag *might* work, if you are lucky. first time i ever heard that one.... ive switched/mixed chalk brands in the same bag more times than i can count and never had any skin or fingernails melt off my hands....do it!
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happiegrrrl
Nov 23, 2011, 5:27 AM
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6pacfershur wrote: first time i ever heard that one.... ive switched/mixed chalk brands in the same bag more times than i can count and never had any skin or fingernails melt off my hands....do it!
Myself as well; ne'er a problem. I guess we must not be part of the 99%. We may not die from the chalk switch, but we'll probably have a group of these climbers occupying the trail next time we try to get to a climb.
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redonkulus
Nov 23, 2011, 6:57 AM
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How are there always people like this on online forums? Where are they hiding in real life?!
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sbaclimber
Nov 23, 2011, 8:28 AM
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csproul wrote: 6pacfershur wrote: sbaclimber wrote: ErnestC3 wrote: I'm switching chalk from an old brand to another. Should I just mix them up? Or use up all the old chalk, pat the bag dry, then refill it? Neither of those options are very good. You need to buy a new chalk bag. Even the smallest amount of old chalk left in the bag will ruin the new chalk. Washing the old bag generally doesn't work either, because most detergents can't fully remove chalk. Dry cleaning the old bag *might* work, if you are lucky. first time i ever heard that one.... ive switched/mixed chalk brands in the same bag more times than i can count and never had any skin or fingernails melt off my hands....do it! whoosh 
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ErnestC3
Nov 23, 2011, 11:13 AM
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ajkclay wrote: tH1e-swiN1e wrote: He hasnt responded........ you think he died? That's the only reasonable deduction. Dead like a Spinal Tap Drummer 
Almost died! 
Just kidding! Still haven't change, looking for opinion 
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billcoe_
Nov 23, 2011, 9:03 PM
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I switched to Metolius Super Chalk and my onsight climbing immediately went up 5 grades.
5 grades dude. So based on that, you need to dump all that old crap and stuff it with the good stuff so you too can send.
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billcoe_
Nov 23, 2011, 9:08 PM
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Just kidding up there. I was making fun, that wasn't true. It doesn't make a fucks worth of difference.
I rarely use chalk but I will say that the "Paul's Ball's brand of chalk, which contains the cremated remains of Paul Humphrey (and chalk), I do use on occasion, has a strong psychic element.
http://www.supertopo.com/...14&tn=0&mr=0
That's the truth. Now just go climb and leave the F&3ing chalk at home and see for yourself.
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chilli
Nov 23, 2011, 9:53 PM
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ErnestC3 wrote: I'm switching chalk from an old brand to another. Should I just mix them up? Or use up all the old chalk, pat the bag dry, then refill it?  
6pacfershur wrote: first time i ever heard that one.... ive switched/mixed chalk brands in the same bag more times than i can count and never had any skin or fingernails melt off my hands....do it! 
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