Thomas Fetterman, Inc.
Home of Performance and Tornado Tips

Ed Openshaw was part owner of the Kelly Crutch Mill in the middle of the hardwood forests of New Hampshire. The mill was started during the Civil War and has been in business until recently. During the Civil War the making of crutches joined the Industrial Revolution. This sophisticated Sling-top crutch was designed for wounded Northern officers.

This design is unique. The wooden sides of this bow crutch are steam bent in gentle "S" curves that oppose each other to form a "leaf spring" effect. When the soft leather hammock like underarm piece has the users body weight put on it, the hammock dips pulling against the two "leaf springs" resulting in a very smooth ride with very little pressure on the underarm. I add 21st Century technology to this time proven success with my Poron Hand Grips and Tornado or Performance Tips. Ed has enhanced this product too by utilizing beautiful and durable imported Rosewood. Our new and improved Sling-top will challenge any underarm crutch made today.

Ed carefully hand selects only the long straight grained Rosewood, rough-cuts it, boils it for hours before bending it into the old wooden forms where they dry for a least two weeks. This insures that they always hold their shape. Ed still uses the same forms that made the same crutches for all those Civil War soldiers. The only design change aside from the tips and hand grips and Rosewood is the 1" wide woven nylon strap inside the medical grade leather wrapped underarm hammock instead of the original long hair from the tail of a horse.

The wood is shaped with a drawknife, painstakingly hand sanded then buffed out to a soft luster. Ed then hand rubs the wood to a bright durable oil finish. I have customers who have owned the same pair of Rosewood Sling-top crutches for over 30 years and have only had to replace the tips and sling-tops (we sell replacements for $90.00 pair).

Price: $795.00 a pair in Rock Maple or Oak



Price: $895.00 a pair in Rosewood

If you have questions, or wish to place an order, e-mail
info@fetterman-crutches.com or call toll free: 1-888-582-5544
international customers call 215-684-2980

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Thomas Fetterman, Inc. | 1680 Hillside Road | Southampton, Pa. 18966
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