Suffered with twist lock poles collapsing for quite some time, the final straw was a collapse on a steep rocky pitch that nearly resulted in a granite face plant. Bought a pair of Black Diamond, "Alpine Carbon Cork" flip lock poles the beginning of 2011. To date including snow shoeing, a White Mountain Presi-traverse, a Mt Washington climb via Huntington Ravine, a Franconia Ridge traverse and a couple of hundred trail miles I've had zero collapse events. Don't even think about it, just get the flip locks and hike/climb with confidence. It would be nice if you bought the twist locks from a place that guarantees satisfaction to return them to. Otherwise give them to someone you don't like!