Chuck Wilts Knife Blade

Object/Artifact

-

Yosemite Climbing Museum

A Chuck Wilts fabricated knifeblade. Chuck made the first ones and they were coveted until Chouinard Equipment offered them in a variety of sizes.

A Chuck Wilts fabricated knifeblade. Chuck made the first ones and they were coveted until Chouinard Equipment offered them in a variety of sizes.

Name/Title

Chuck Wilts Knife Blade

Entry/Object ID

2026.1.46

Description

Personal Chuck Wilts Knife Blade

Use

piton

Context

The first knife blade's ever made were made by Chuck Wilts. These worked so well that other equipment makers quickly made their own. This was the smallest and first edition ever made. Engraved underneath the eye is a C W.

Collection

Yosemite Climbing Museum Permanent Collection

Category

Pitons
Climbing Hardware

Acquisition

Accession

2026.1

Notes

Acquired from Tom Frost

Made/Created

Artist

Chuck Wilts

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Makers Mark

Location

underneath the eye

Transcription

C W

Dimensions

Dimension Description

need dimensions

Material

steel

Location

Location

Display Case

Exhibit Case 09

Date

January 27, 2026

Web Links and URLs

https://vimeo.com/1164774090/a27bdacaf4

Provenance

Provenance Detail

Tom Frost

General Notes

Note Type

Cataloging Note

Note

Caption in the museum is: "A Chuck Wilts fabricated knifeblade. Chuck made the first ones and they were coveted until Chouinard Equipment offered them in a variety of sizes."

Create Date

January 21, 2026

Update Date

February 13, 2026