On the set, it is often necessary, or convenient, to have a holder that will allow the boom pole to be held steadily and securely in one position.
Several devices are used for this purpose.
The most common and cheapest is a simple fishing pole holder. These are a piece of round metal stock cleverly bent in a series of curves that support a pole by contacting it in two places, one on its top and the other on its bottom offset by a small distance. This system puts pressure on two points formed by the intersecting curves of the pole and holder. This pressure could be tremendous with a long pole and heavy microphone because the contact area is so small.
A similar device that is very popular and recognizes the point pressure problem uses flat stock welded to the round section. This protects the pole better as the contact is spread over two lines each ½ inch long, still the intersection of two arcs, but over a line, not a point.
The K-Tek K-BC, while certainly in a different price class addresses the concerns about using a boom pole on a "C" stand. The K-BC attaches to the universal grip Knuckle with a stainless steel spud. This connects to a machined aluminum "I" beam shaft supporting two swiveled pole cradles.
This assembly supports the pole over a distance of 16-in. (40+ cm). Each of the two cradles cushions the pole on two polyurethane pads each supporting the pole over 2 square inches. That is four 2-sq. in. pads cushioning the pole over a length of 16 inches and holding it very rigidly. The polyethylene pads also help isolate the pole from vibration conducted from the floor through the "C" stand.
Each K-BC pole cradle is attached to the "I" beam support through Teflon impregnated Delrin bearings. This might seem like over-kill, but Nylon, which usually would have been used in this application has the characteristic of absorbing moisture and swelling, causing the system to stick. K-Tek simply will not use Nylon in applications that are subject to moisture.
The K-BC Boom Pole Cradle is certainly not the cheapest way to hold a pole, but it certainly is the safest and best.