Giving Old Ropes New Life: Meet Tom Fraser of Quantum NZ
Transforming Old Climbing Ropes into Everyday Accessories: How a Hobby Became a Creative Venture.
Gonzo
COVERGROUND December 2 2024
If you're a climber, you know the feeling of getting a brand-new rope. It’s clean, smells fresh, and you know it’ll last as long as you need it to—unless, of course, you’re taking countless whips, dragging it over sharp corners, or hang-dogging on it for hours. Eventually, even the most durable ropes meet their end, and the question is: what do you do with that old rope?
Enter Tom Fraser, a Kiwi climber from New Zealand—aka Middle Earth—who was introduced to climbing by his three older brothers. He found a way to turn this newfound passion into a sustainable business. Quantum NZ is a brand Tom started that takes retired climbing ropes and transforms them into belts, camera straps, dog leashes, and keychains. Each handmade product is crafted by Tom himself, often squeezed in between climbing sessions at Castle Hill or while fulfilling orders from his base in Christchurch.
Tom’s a physiotherapist by day, but he’s dialed things down to focus on the brand, carefully organizing his schedule to make it all work. His creativity didn’t just start with Quantum NZ. He’s always had a knack for repurposing things, like turning spoons and coins into rings. I remember seeing those videos circulating all over the internet and, at one point, thinking, Why didn’t I think of that?
I had the chance to chat with Tom and hear more about his story, his process, and what’s next for his brand.
So why Quantum NZ? The name has a deep connection to its roots. It comes from Quantum Field, one of the main climbing areas at Castle Hill. Castle Hill is the local crag and wildly popular in New Zealand, with Quantum Field being one of the main rock formations there. The brand’s logo? It’s inspired by the area as well, with a nod to the iconic rock formations that make Castle Hill so special.
It’s clear that Quantum NZ isn’t just about making products. It comes from a genuine place, driven by a real stoke for creativity and climbing.
When you do something over and over again, you’re bound to be pretty good at it, and that’s exactly what Tom Fraser has done with his brand. He’s turned the art of repurposing old climbing ropes into functional accessories. Me? I personally love the idea of making belts. It’s a huge upgrade from what I used to use in my old dirtbag days, which was just 8mm cord wrapped around my waist. I was pretty intrigued by the process and the journey of building Quantum NZ, taking it from just an idea to a room so crowded with ropes you can barely move. Tom shared more about his beginnings, milestones, and what this small, up-and-coming brand has planned for its future.
Instead of letting ropes gather dust, end up in the trash, or just take up storage in your Thule box, Tom gives them a second life. The process, while simple in theory, is pretty hands-on from start to finish. I’m not giving you a detailed step-by-step process on how Tom does it, but here are the basics:
The ropes are shipped to Quantum NZ, with shipping costs covered by the company.
Each rope is cleaned—usually in a bathtub.
Once dry, it’s cut into the right lengths for the product being made.
The core is removed to make the rope more flexible and easier to work with.
Finally, the pieces are sewn together using a machine to create the final product.
And that’s just for the belts. His other products, like keychains, dog leashes, and camera straps, are wildly popular as well.
I asked Tom what the most popular item he makes is, and he didn’t hesitate. “The belts, by far,” he said. They were the first ones he started with, and they’ve become the flagship product of the brand. It makes sense. I think the majority of climbers I know wear belts and are either cinching their pants up with shoestrings or cord they bought at a local gear shop.
Aside from being the most popular product, the belts are also what Tom enjoys making the most. The process involves a special machine he upgraded to, which streamlines production—a pretty essential step when trying to fulfill orders on the fly.
Just like anything, when you’re starting from the ground up, especially in an entrepreneurial journey, it comes with its ups and downs. There’s no such thing as an easy ride. One of the biggest challenges for Tom has been sourcing retired climbing ropes. Being based in New Zealand, where the climbing community is relatively small compared to places like the United States or Europe, means finding ropes—especially in vivid colors and patterns—is an ongoing struggle. Most climbers know ropes are expensive, and, well, shipping ropes isn’t much cheaper.
Regardless of these challenges, Quantum NZ has hit some pretty incredible milestones. One that stood out to Tom was reaching 15,000 followers on Instagram. It was an exciting number for him to hit. He shared that, as much as it was for him, the real reward was seeing people connect with his products and driving the brand forward. Social media may provide the platform, but it’s building a relationship with the climbing community that makes the most impact.
As the brand grows, Tom has big plans for the future, such as opening up a studio in New Zealand and going from an accessory maker to a full-on climbing brand. In addition to that, he’s working on expanding his product line by upcycling old tents into things like satchel bags, backpacks, and chalk buckets. That’s exactly what the climbing community needs—ambitious creators. They represent a commitment to sustainability and the drive to push a simple idea forward. Who wouldn’t want to be their own boss and live full-time off making dope products?
Beyond that, it’s not just about making stuff. Tom’s got a real passion for documenting and promoting climbing culture in New Zealand. He’s keen to dive more into film and photography, creating climbing films that really capture the vibe of the local scene. And honestly, that’s exactly what the climbing community needs—people out there creating, building, and sharing the stoke, keeping the enthusiasm alive, and pushing the sport even further.
If you’ve found yourself considering starting your own climbing-related adventure, whether it’s recycling ropes to make belts or just screen printing T-shirts with a cool logo on them, Tom’s advice is simple but important: just start. “Get a machine, get creative, and learn on YouTube University,” he said. He’s always open to answering questions on Instagram from curious minds, but he keeps some secrets to himself. After all, part of the fun is discovering your own methods and paving your own way.
I didn’t reach out to Tom for free products or anything like that. It was pure curiosity. It’s amazing to see creators from all over the world doing their thing. Quantum NZ is a testament to the power of creativity and where climbing can take you. I mean, seriously—what started as his older brothers introducing him to a simple sport has now grown into an Instagram page with over 15,000 followers and belts being shipped worldwide. If you think about it, some of those belts probably once caught gnarly whips or were someone’s first rope, and now they’re tied around your waist, keeping your pants from falling down at the crag.
I’m looking forward to seeing Tom’s plans for the future and his continued commitment to the climbing community—making belts for the everyday climber, and not just for getting a good old spanking.
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