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 let me know 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 |
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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 mechanical belay 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 | | |
| Internal Wiregate | Metolius Gatekeeper | |
| Basket Fin | Grivel Clepsydra (and an internal wiregate) | |
| Gate Spur | Black Diamond GridLock | |
| External 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 | |