Well it has a few chips, But being the lone insulator on the pole, I decided to slap the spikes on and save it. grabbed the pole and shook it. Seemed ok. Tap with a hammer sound soild enough, I start climbing. I get to the top and the insulator is stuck on the pin. But as I turn the nut is coming off so I keep turning. Then I feel a sting. I've seem to have bothered some ants. I get the insulator off and make a quick decent. Thank god I put the sweat pants on. I had about 30 to 50 ants on me. But the insulator turned out to be a nice gray color.