About the Exhibits
This page allows you to browse themed exhibits, as well as view carabiners by catagory.
By their very nature and purpose, carabiners are designed to be handled - one of the reasons I enjoy collecting them. While not as fun or educational as directly handling these items, I hope these virtual exhibits provide an opportunity to explore various aspects of carabiner design and use.
I do enjoy sharing selections of the collection with folks at small climbing-related gatherings and events, please reach out if you are interested in such a workshop, in-person (best!) or hosted online.
Snagless Nose Designs
Since the invention of the gate-loading carabiner (as opposed to a Gated Hook/Snap Hook), climbers have sought designs which minimizing catching on gear when clipping/unclipping.
Pierre Allain even produced carabiner-like gated hooks to avoid this exact issue.
TYPE | EXAMPLE | |
---|---|---|
Gated Hook | Pierre Allain (latchless) | |
Reverse Notch & Pin | Lowe-Camp (Snagless D) | |
Reverse Notch & Window | Austrailpin (Steel HMS) | |
Snagless Claw | Wild Country Oxygen | |
Stubai ROCK CLIP | ||
Keylock | Petzl Spirit | |
Camp Dyon | ||
Reverse Keylock | Petzl Ange S | |
DMM Wirelock | ||
Simond Spider | ||
Hooded Notch | Wild Country Helium | |
Black Diamond HoodWire/Oz/LiveWire |
Anti-Crossload Designs
Some carabiners have anti-crossloading designs, mainly serving 3 purposes:
- Maximize carabiner strength by promoting loading along the major axis.
- Minimize risk of carabiner gate-face loading or roll-out.
- Provide proper orientation for assistive braking devices such as a Petzl Grigri.
Here are a few notable efforts over the years, along with examples:
TYPE | EXAMPLE | |
---|---|---|
Side Gate | DMM Belay Master | |
Mammut Smart HMS | ||
Captive Pin | CMC Protech Manual-Lock w/Keeper | |
Captive Eye | DMM Mamba | |
ISC KH255 Swivel Eye | ||
Grivel Vlad | ||
Interior Wiregate | Metolius Gatekeeper | |
Bidirectional Interior Gate | Mammut Bionic Crosslock | |
Basket Fin | Grivel Clepsydra (and an interior wiregate) | |
Gate Spur | Black Diamond GridLock | |
Exterior Solid Gate | Mad Rock Gemini | |
Belt Clip | Petzl Caritool |
Uncommmon Features
These carabiners have some uncommon features - which may or may not be very useful.
FEATURE | INTENDED FUNCTION | EXAMPLE | |
---|---|---|---|
Adjustable Lanyard/Cowtail Plate | captive eyes allow for an adjustable lanyard/cowtail | Sterling Unknown Model | |
Anti-Vibration Screwgate | resists unlocking due to vibration | Klettersteig Alloy Anti-Vibe Screwgate | |
Braking Spur | adds friction on rappel/lower | Petzl Freino | |
Captive Belay Device | anti-crossload & drop prevention | Petzl Universo | |
Finger Grip | improves purchase when clipping on lead | Black Diamond The Fin | |
Flat Gate Face | duplicates the feel of clipping a wiregate (more stable when clipping on lead) | Black Diamond Dynotron | |
Gate Activation Bump | bump on gate intended to assist in opening the gate | Simond Cliff Express | |
Gate Hold‑Open | aids in stick-clipping bolts | Mad Rock Trigger Wire | |
Integrated Pulley | reduces rope drag on lead & other pulley purposes (rescue/hauling) | DMM Revolver | |
Integrated Rigging Plate | aids organization & improves carabiner loading with crowded connections | Grivel Vlad | |
Massively Oversized | compatibility with wide rigid objects such as ladders / scaffolds | DMM Ultima | |
Twisted Frame | holds carabiner away from rock & increases gate opening | Stubai 3-D Ultralight | |
Wear Insert | durability of a steel carabiner, without the weight | Edelrid HMS Bulletproof Belay FG Eco |