Climbing is a straightforward sport. You rely on your hands and feet, where every bit of effort counts. You can feel whether a tool is good or not. The Two Stones brand doesn't have any flashy stories. They just identified a few essential items climbers need and put real effort into making them well.
I. Hangboard: The Purpose of a Good Piece of Wood
Climbers almost always have a climbing hangboard at home. Two Stones makes these, and they use only solid wood.
They are very particular about the wood they select. North American maple, walnut—the stock must be thoroughly dried, with grain that is straight and even. No knots, no cracks. A thick plank of wood is fed into a machine, where a CNC-controlled milling cutter slowly and precisely carves out the shape.
Why insist on wood? First, wood has a certain "feel." It's not dead hard when you grip it; it has a slight, forgiving elasticity, similar to some types of natural rock, and is easier on the skin. Second, wood improves with use. Sweat seeps in, hands wear it down, the color deepens, and a sheen develops on the surface—that's the mark of your own training. The board becomes uniquely yours.
Their designs aren't flashy. The edges come in several standard angles—20 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees. The pockets come in a few standard depths. There are no bizarre, impractical shapes. They've tested and retested how many screw holes the board needs, how to position them for maximum stability, and how to cut the back to sit flush against the wall. When installed, it's solid, doesn't creak or wobble. That's what matters.
II. Climbing Brush: Clean Effectively, Don't Damage
After a lot of climbing, holds get caked with chalk and rubber marks; they need brushing. Two Stones brushes solve this problem.
The brush head is made of hard plastic, with bristles that are a bit stiffer and denser than usual. This provides more power when brushing, clearing away caked-on chalk in a few strokes. But the tips of the bristles are rounded, so they won't scratch and damage plastic holds like a wire brush might, ruining the grip for the next climber.
The handle is wood. Why? Because it doesn't feel cold or slippery. When your palms are sweaty, plastic handles can get slick, but wood is much better. They shape the handle with a slight curve, not just a straight stick, making it more comfortable to hold and apply force.
Some rock climbing brush models have a small magnet embedded in the end. You can stick it to a bolt hanger or your gear loop while climbing so you don't lose it, and just grab it when you need it. These are the kinds of details you only think of when you're actually on the wall.
III. Climbing Holds: Shapes That Work
Two Stones also makes some climbing holds, mainly for people setting up training walls at home.
Their wooden climbing holds are mostly simple and unpretentious in design. They avoid wild, elaborate shapes, focusing instead on key contact surfaces. A small chip might have a pinch grip on the front and work as a side-pull on its edge. A dome-shaped hold might offer different angles from various sides.
The material provides good friction but isn't rough on the hands. Once screwed onto the wall tightly, it doesn't wobble. That's sufficient. Their focus is on making each hold's shape train a specific type of force application, not on making them look particularly fancy.
IV. How They Make Things: Meticulous, Not Compromising
Two Stones products might look simple, but there's considerable effort behind them.
The wood is seasoned well in advance to ensure stability, preventing cracking or warping after fabrication. CNC machinery ensures precision; every piece comes out identical. All edges are sanded smooth, with no splinters. Brush bristles are checked individually to ensure none are split. When holds are cast, bubbles are minimized, and weight is distributed evenly.
They don't spin much of a "story." They talk about how things are made, what materials are used, and why they're designed that way. If their reasoning makes sense to you and the product feels good to use, then it's worth it.
V. Built to Last
They also design for longevity. A solid wood hang board, if properly cared for, can last for years. If a brush head wears out, sometimes you can just replace the head. Their packaging is also simple—cardboard and foam, just enough to protect the product, avoiding extravagant waste.
Ultimately, climbing tools are meant to be used. The Two Stones brand is simply about being honest and diligent, making these essential items solid, reliable, and comfortable to use. For climbers, having such dependable, hassle-free tools allows them to focus more completely on the rock wall in front of them. That's enough.