Can anyone identify the tent stake on the right?

[Diane “Piper” Soini]

I don’t think the one on the right is the Vargo stake. The one on the left possibly is. The stake on the right is the best tent stake of this kind I have ever used. I only have two of them. I have searched images trying to find more, but can’t find anything like them. Do you possibly know what brand of stake this is? They are so good because when you push them all the way into the ground, the tine that sticks out becomes embedded and then the stake doesn’t spin around.

[Larry Swearingen]

My UL stake,s like the one on the left, do the same thing if you can get them in that far.
If they won’t go in that far, think hitting a rock or a tree root, then the one on the right
probably won’t either.
Piper, you are in SoCal, need to get out on the trail more and you won’t worry about that.

Larry S
who lived in SoCal for 42 years.

[Diane “Piper” Soini]

I was on the trail just this weekend!

[Bob K]

Looks like the product from Lawson Equipment.

[James Marco]

I suspect that the two you mention are “mis-stakes.”  I have some from Vargo, Lawson, Gossamer Gear, and a couple other non-name ones. All vary a bit on the upper tail, but none are as drastic as the ones you picture. Even the shepherds hooks bury into the ground pretty well at the heads. Once they are in, I give them an extra stomp with my heel.

Extreamly light, generally at between .2 and .3oz each (3-5 per ounce.) I normally carry 7 for a full set-up at around 1.5oz. (The tarp only needs 5 and including one guy-line if you don’t expect more than a 30mph wind.) 3 is the minimum anchor points for any shelter…even a freestanding dome normally has 4 points.

[JCH]

The one on the right looks VERY similar to the Lawson stakes, but I suspect it is a (not perfect) copy of the Lawson product.  The key shape characteristic of the Lawson stakes is that the crown of the bend is directly over the shaft.  This causes the force applied by hammering the stake to travel directly down the shaft minimizing any bending forces.

Looking very closely, it appears the crown of the bend on the right-most stake is offset just a bit toward the tail of the hook and not directly over the shaft.  The tail of the hook also looks longer that that of the Lawson stakes.  Lastly, the Lawson stakes have a conical point, not a flat cut like the one pictured.

To the OP – since you like the right stake, you should probably get some of Lawson’s.

[Diane “Piper” Soini]

I really like that drastic tail. It makes a big difference. Someone should make them on purpose that way. I only have 3 stakes like that with any appreciable hook on them. I just need one more, or two if I can find them with the extra long tails.

[NoCO-Jim]

Current crop of Lawson…

[James Marco]

Diane, it would only cost another 1/2-3/4″ of wire to insure the head would mount solidly in the ground.  Assuming they are made from wire lengths as opposed to a larger coil, I suspect they are set to even numbers of stakes per length…say 6″ and 8″ for 48″ for example. The extra on the tail is likely a mistake. I don’t think they are from Lawson. They have the same bend as a Vargo. Lawson’s are a bit tighter.  You are right, though. A longer tail would help.

[Sam Farrington]

Ti shepherd’s hook stakes like these are made from Titanium Rod by numerous sources and are all over the walk.  To try to ID any one of them might not be worth your time.  Even Sherlock Holmes would have a hard time doing that.  Glad you are getting out there.

P.S. The stakes make an excellent source of titanium rod, come in several diameters, and are great for MYOG if you just need a bit of the rod.  Have used them for making elbows for carbon tent poles, as was discussed here:  https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/45631/
Am planning on using them again for an elbow, as they are highly tempered and hold a bend well. But they are difficult to bend without breakikng, and it must be done carefully.

[Mark Fowler]

As others have said, the key is that the high point is directly over the shaft rather than offset.  I think Lawson did this first but others have followed. I think mine are from Dutch. Once you get this feature then it is just a matter of temper, diameter and length to suit your needs.

[Roger Caffin]

To the best of my knowledge, all these Ti wire pegs are made in China by a few factories. Shop around on ebay.

Cheers

[JCH]

“To the best of my knowledge, all these Ti wire pegs are made in China by a few factories.”

Lawson’s stakes are made in the US.

[Roger Caffin]

Good on him then.
Cheers

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