At first glance, the Tuff Launcher looks like a solution in desperate search of a problem. But after spending two weeks abusing one in the field—tree felling, river crossings, and even a disastrous attempt at launching a hot dog across a campsite—we’re ready to declare it the most satisfyingly overbuilt tool of the decade. The Tuff Launcher was originally designed for arborists. Getting a climbing line over a high branch usually involves throwing a weighted bag (a "throwball") by hand. It’s an art form that takes years to master. The Tuff Launcher replaces that art with brute-force physics.

Using a proprietary CO2 cartridge or a manual hand pump (the "Tuff Pump 2.0"), the device pressurizes a vertical chamber. Pull the trigger, and a burst of air launches a 10-ounce, sand-filled "monkey fist" knot up to in the air.

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