Engraved Hawse Fairlead

[Momrocks]

I am in the market for an aluminum Hawse Fairlead. The offerings I have seen look very similar in form and function. Can anyone turn me onto one with some character? I have seen the ones fashioned like an FJ grill, while cool, just wouldn't look right on my Jeep. Hopefully somebody can suggest one with an unusual design or engraving, any ideas are appreciated.

PS: Wil and Wen, if you offered a black anodized fairlead with an "SE" logo I would have one on order and not be typing this post. :drool:

 

[Bennyhana]

I've seen one shaped like a pair of lips....It was on a jeep..

 

[d1sc0ver]

There are some interesting ones here:

http://rockdancerproducts.com/store/index.php3

 

[Momrocks]

I've seen one shaped like a pair of lips....It was on a jeep..

Ha ha ha, that's original. Would that come with a tongue shaped thimble for the rope?

I thought I had seen images of a "Dog Bone" shaped Hawse but have had no luck finding the photo. As relativly simple as a fairlead is, I would think there is a market for some custom interpretations. It seems like a creative machinist could come up with any number of unusual shapes or added utility. Maybe one with integrated LED bracket for night winching, driving light tabs, bottle opener....hmmm??.... I would think it is equally as simple to adorn a pedestrian fairlead with custom engraving. Too bad I've neither machinist skills nor laser engraving equipment.

If you will, post up photos or links to your favorite fairleads...the search continues.


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[Momrocks]

There are some interesting ones here:

http://rockdancerproducts.com/store/index.php3

Yep, that's what I had seen at a car show. Thanks for the link d1sc0ver!

 

[d1sc0ver]

Absolutely!

Make sure you show us all what you end up with...

 

[AFSOC]

I'm sweet on this one by Ballistic Fab. Simple, understated but nicely engraved. You have to admire it's affordability. A winner in the 3/4" fairlead race IMHO. Am I crazy because I dig the skull?

 

[Scott Brady]

The Viking one, because - well, it is a Viking. The first to discover NA

 

[Momrocks]

Yowza, that Viking fairlead is spendy. No doubt that it is a nice piece though.

I see the Viking 350 is an inch and a half thick where most in the industry are 3/4 or one inch. Is there any appreciable advantage to the extra beef? A thicker hawse fairlead will obviously have greater resistence to deflection but has anyone had issues distorting their fairlead or mounts during a pull, maybe a very angled pull? I am curious to see if the extra cost of the 350 would be a benefit. I am more of a casual user of my M8000 than I am a rock crawlin'/mud swimmin' power user.

 

[JamesDowning]

The benefit is a larger bevel radius on the inner lip. For synthetic line, that can extend the life of the rope.

 

[Vermejo]

Try Armorology. I have one and think it looks good enough. Plus, it supports a good company.

 

[Momrocks]

Plus, it supports a good company.

That ARMOROLOGY piece is very nice. You're right, I do feel it's important to support quality vendors and builders.

 

[HenryJ]

I have a friend who runs a Formula Toy under the Trail-Gear sponsorship and colors.

Theirs is not a bad looking fairlead, and reasonably priced at $35

 

[Momrocks]

I have a friend who runs a Formula Toy under the Trail-Gear sponsorship and colors.
Theirs is not a bad looking fairlead, and reasonably priced at $35

HenryJ, you're right. Nice looking fairlead and as low a price as anywhere.

I am still kind of shocked that there are so few unusual fairleads on the market. They all seem to be very run of the mill, except of course the Frog and Lips ones.

 

[HenryJ]

This one popped up in another thread: Ballistic Fab Fairlead