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Steel Carabiners

Freddybowhunter

Freddybowhunter

Member
SH Member
Joined
Oct 17, 2022
Messages
93
Anyone ever mess around with a steel carabiner for their tether versus aluminum? Using the SMC lite alloy steel locking D carabiner as an example, yeah it’s 6.6 oz instead of like 2.5 or 3. But at a major axis strength of 45 kN, and considering it’s what’s keeping us connected to our tether and not falling 20’, anyone else thought of going heavy duty on this? Currently have a standard tethrd issued carabiner with my ropeman 1, but just was thinking of beefing it up some
 
Freddybowhunter said:
Anyone ever mess around with a steel carabiner for their tether versus aluminum? Using the SMC lite alloy steel locking D carabiner as an example, yeah it’s 6.6 oz instead of like 2.5 or 3. But at a major axis strength of 45 kN, and considering it’s what’s keeping us connected to our tether and not falling 20’, anyone else thought of going heavy duty on this? Currently have a standard tethrd issued carabiner with my ropeman 1, but just was thinking of beefing it up some
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Check the rating on that Ropeman 1. Might want to start with ditching that if beefing up your system is what you are looking to do. Your carabiner in that situation isn't the weak link
 
Hall17 said:
Check the rating on that Ropeman 1. Might want to start with ditching that if beefing up your system is what you are looking to do. Your carabiner in that situation isn't the weak link
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What would you recommend instead of the ropeman?
 
Freddybowhunter said:
What would you recommend instead of the ropeman?
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No mechanical device is going to be as strong as hitch cordage... i sold my ropeman just to have less metal clanging around up there...but lots of people use ropeman 1s... I think that Hall 17s poi t is just that 45 KN is overkill considering the 22 kn already isn't the controlling factor if there's going to be a fall... also... if using a ropeman.. please back it up...
 
me, I went the other way...mini carabiners in all the important spots, and ropemans anywhere I could put them. If they are good enough for Alex Hannold to take on a hike, then me going 30ft up a tree shouldn't be a problem. they crack sometimes, but I soldier them back together
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colin.704 said:
.....they crack sometimes, but I soldier them back together
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Beg pardon? What cracks?? What are you soldering back together??

To the OP: A steel carabiner is way overkill for saddle hunting. Heck, even a 24kn AL biner is overkill, to be honest. But if you don't mind the extra weight and it gives you a warm fuzzy, then you gotta do what you gotta do.
 
colin.704 said:
me, I went the other way...mini carabiners in all the important spots, and ropemans anywhere I could put them. If they are good enough for Alex Hannold to take on a hike, then me going 30ft up a tree shouldn't be a problem. they crack sometimes, but I soldier them back together
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I mean... Alex Honnold a also fine without ropes... he's also taking much bigger falls then none of which are caught with a ropeman... guaranteed
 
colin.704 said:
me, I went the other way...mini carabiners in all the important spots, and ropemans anywhere I could put them. If they are good enough for Alex Hannold to take on a hike, then me going 30ft up a tree shouldn't be a problem. they crack sometimes, but I soldier them back together
View attachment 75066View attachment 75067
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If I were only climbing the tree I might use a non locking carabiner, but when focused on other things and not constantly monitoring them, they are able to accidentally open too easily.
 
I've noticed a pattern with real rock climbers when it comes to using locking vs. non-locking biners. They tend to use locking biners that are at/on their bodies or otherwise in motion, and tend to use non-locking biners in stationary applications such as on quickdraws, anchor points, etc. Not saying that is always the case, but it's a distinct pattern. And if that general thumb rule is good enough for them to hang at 1000 ft, then it's good enough for me at 25 ft.
 
Have to agree with @Spartan. If I hit the end of my static tether hard enough in the saddle to achieve even half the kN of a typical aluminum carabiner I'm not sure I'll be alive enough to be worried about the biner breaking. But there's not really any harm in using a stronger biner, provided its used properly.
 
Marmuzz said:
Have to agree with @Spartan. If I hit the end of my static tether hard enough in the saddle to achieve even half the kN of a typical aluminum carabiner I'm not sure I'll be alive enough to be worried about the biner breaking. But there's not really any harm in using a stronger biner, provided its used properly.
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Like they said @Freddybowhunter if your carbiner hits that kinda force. Your getting crushed. Yeah, it will still be good. But from what they say, 8kn fall is life changing. Maybe life ending.
 
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