Products
A KB Tripod is more than just a serviceable mount; it doubles as fine wooden furniture suitable for display in the house or office. Each wood tripod is lovingly handcrafted from Northern White Ash or Exotic Hardwood, and carefully assembled into a work of modern art. Don't cripple your high-quality optics; give them the support that only a KB Systems Tripod can bring.
Legset custom-designed to fit an antique spotter binocular scope and mount.
The result is simply beautiful.
Close-up view showing the exact fit between the custom-built KB headset and the original antique brass.
The heavy dampening effect of a KB Tripod provides the vibration-free support this telescope needs.
Truly a beautiful yet functional system. The brass trim seems to bring out the highlights in the wood grain.
Baywatch model manufactured exclusively for Captain's Nautical Supply. Mahogany and brass: Extends to 67", Retracts to 40", Weighs 12 lb.
Black Walnut: The finest of our native "fancy" woods. At one time it was very abundant and was used for railroad ties and fence posts and rails, but the supply is now very limited. Very few woods lend so much dignity to furniture and interiors.
KB1001 with a Half-Hitch mount, manufactured by Charles Ridell in Austin, TX
Model KB1AH: Extends to 74" (with 12" center extension), Retracts to 34", Weighs 7½ lb. with adapter.
Special Order only; no longer in regular production.
Model KB1AH in Purpleheart: Extends to 62", Retracts to 34", Weighs 6½ lb.
Special Order only; no longer in regular production.
Model KBBP Jr: Extends to 50", Retracts to 29", Weighs 5½ lb.
Model KBBP Sr: Extends to 56", Retracts to 32", Weighs 6 lb.
A KBBP-Mini Basic tripod with Black Walnut legs stylishly supports a small telescope and equatorial mount.
Mahogany: Also known as "American mahogany", or "true mahogany", this is the most popular of the fancy cabinet and furniture woods. Several tropical woods resemble the true mahogany, but none equal it for technical qualities or beauty. The wood is strong and durable and seasons well. It is used for patterns, cabinets, interior finish and fixtures. Currently, the best source of this hardwood is Honduras.
Special Order KB Systems Mahogany and Brass Tripod legs, beautifully supporting an Orion Equatorial Mount and Telescope.
Purpleheart: Also known as Amaranth, this is a comparatively new wood to the American public. The wood is hard, heavy, strong and durable, and resembles the far more expensive Brazillian Rosewood. In this country it has been used for billiard cue butts, archery bows, inlay, interior trim and cabinet making.
A Baywatch Purpleheart/Brass tripod, custom-built for Don Gay, supports his TeleVue Renaissance in style. Picture taken in Washington, DC area.
John writes:
This awe-inspiring, one of a kind, envy-producing system includes a TV-NP127, Sphinx mount with half pillar and, of course, a KB Systems custom tripod.
Sure, I'm amazingly pleased with final result but I've encountered one unexpected draw back. My wife keeps wondering if you and Bill couldn't have done something to make her husband (me) half as stylish as our equipment.
Teak: Famous the world over as a superior shipbuilding wood, teak combines ease of working with strength, resistance to decay and to warping and checking with changes of moisture and temperature. It is used for decking, deck housings, armor backing, furniture, porch floors, interior trim, wood carving, cabinets, etc.
Model KB1001 Exotic with Purpleheart legs and a TeleVue Equatorial mount.
White Ash: The most valuable of our native ashes and world-famous for its quality and technical properties. The wood is very tough and resilient, and is used for farm implements, tool handles, vehicle bodies, baseball bats, tennis rackets, oars, spring boards, piano frames, and to some extent for furniture and interior trim.
Zebrawood: Well-known for its highly contrasting light and dark stripes, zebrawood is prized the world around for its unique appearance. The wood has a moderately coarse texture with a close defined grain. Due to high shipping costs, zebrawood is mostly available in the United States as a veneer, but it is also used for turnings, furniture, tool handles, and pens.