Coggy
  • Coggy
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10 years ago
A bit off-topic, I have some alu DMM screw gate krabs from the 1980s, should I throw these away ?
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Tamarmole
10 years ago
"Coggy" wrote:

A bit off-topic, I have some alu DMM screw gate krabs from the 1980s, should I throw these away ?



I probably wouldn't hang my life off them.

I tend to keep life expired or knackered crabs - they are very useful in digs for attaching ropes to drag buckets (for example).
Graigfawr
10 years ago
"Coggy" wrote:

A bit off-topic, I have some alu DMM screw gate krabs from the 1980s, should I throw these away ?



The yardstick I apply to my personal gear is the degree of surface pitting or other wear, and whether the gate still functions. Most of my alloy krabs are 1980s; only a small proportion have been condemned. If the metal is sound and is known not to have received impacts (e.g. dropped down a pitch -which might result in hairline fractures), I cannot see any reason to condemn my gear.

You'll have to make your own decision on your gear.

I wash and dry my gear between trips - not only does this result in it being allowed indoors, but it greatly extends its life.
Vanoord
10 years ago
I've been using DMM 'kwiklock' krabs and I'm very happy with them.

http://dmmprofessional.com/products/gatemechanisms/kwiklock 

I've been using the (previous generation) big Boa but it isn't for everyone - it needs relatively big hands, otherwise you're going to need both to open the gate and that's a show-stopper if you can't.

http://dmmprofessional.com/products/boa-30kn-kwiklock-a903/ 

I view them as a halfway house between a wire gate and a screw gate, although arguably they're not as easy to engage as a wire gate (although with practice it's not an issue); and they're not as secure as a screwgate (but who scores up the gate regularly anyway).

Conversely, they're easier to engage than a screwgate that's got itself closed up; and they're safer than a wiregate.

Horses for courses, I guess - but I've not had any problems and the size of them makes them a bit more use for grabbing onto wire ropes, chains and other such stuff.
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Roy Morton
10 years ago
I quite like these although the hook on the gate can snag on rope from time to time. More of a niggle than a pain in the derrière.

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iestyn999
10 years ago
I use triple lock krabs on my cowstails. They're certainly not a faff, but even if they were I'd tolerate it because my life's on the line if I balls up.

I know it's all down to personal preference, but I'd never ever use snap gates.

A read of this might well convince you to swap your snapgates for locking krabs too ;)

http://welshrandomadventures.blogspot.co.uk/ 
RJV
  • RJV
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10 years ago
"iestyn999" wrote:

A read of this might well convince you to swap your snapgates for locking krabs too ;)


Sorry, but it really won't.

That's a problem with poor technique, not his choice of equipment. The consequences of not being able to unclip a cowstail on a cold wet pitch concerns me a great deal more.
iestyn999
10 years ago
"RJV" wrote:


The consequences of not being able to unclip a cowstail on a cold wet pitch concerns me a great deal more.



why would you not be able to unclip?

you would have to be in a pretty dire state to be incapable of twisting the gate on a krab. I should hope no one would ever attempt a pitch if you're in that sort of mess
RJV
  • RJV
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10 years ago
"iestyn999" wrote:

why would you not be able to unclip?


Loads of reasons.

Lets say for one, you're reached an awkward rebelay. Water is crashing down, your hands are numb. You're tired at the end of a long day and you're trying to pull yourself up with your good hand to stand in a short loop to unclip your cowstail but are mainly wobbling about. Whilst doing this you are also trying to remove a krab which you have to twist at the same time as undoing a gate which you cannot feel and may not even be able to see.

In such a circumstance I personally think that a cowstail krab which you cannot be certain of removing easily might not be a wise choice.

But each to their own!

JonK
  • JonK
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10 years ago
I completely agree with you on this Rich. Snapgate every time on cowstails although I would always use ones with a solid rather than a wire gate.

The even worse scenario is that you need to clip in quickly and then find that the screwgate has rubbed against your gear and has to be undone before you can use it. These are seconds you might not live to regret.
Vanoord
10 years ago
If you're slightly paranoid, there's a benefit in carrying a couple of screwgate krabs on a gear loop and a sling or two - if you want to clip into something and stay clipped to it (either because you're doing something or there's a lot of exposure), use that as a third 'cowstail' but don't take a fall on it.

Then again, if the first and second points of contact have gone awol, a half meter drop onto a sling is going to be a lot better than the alternatives.
Hello again darkness, my old friend...
Morlock
10 years ago
"iestyn999" wrote:

why would you not be able to unclip?



RJV has a point. I've witnessed a few people struggle up a long ladder pitch and then been unable to do anything with their arms/fingers for some minutes.
That was on a firm and dry landing with no waterfalls.
ColinA
  • ColinA
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10 years ago
Screwgates every time , leave it fully undone till you need to screw it up, never had a problem with them in the 40yrs I've been SRTing and always like the additional security when I need it. In addition all krabs in use on your harness should be able to be used for everything that you need to do, i.e. no semi retired krabs used "only " for hauling etc, if you dont trust them bin them. And RJV is correct technique is everything , approach rebelays etc slowly , think about it, orient yourself and be deliberate then you wont get crossed up etc.
I wont use wire gates ever underground and if your a climber you should look at some of the videos of wiregates with rope running through them on a fall!!! the gates vibrate with an amplitude of open to closed ? and you can bend the wire with your fingers? nough said.
ColinA
Vanoord
10 years ago
Or you could try something completely different...



or...

Hello again darkness, my old friend...
gNick
  • gNick
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10 years ago
Could always use the huge locking hook crab things that are standard on working at height gear...
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NewStuff
10 years ago
"gNick" wrote:

Could always use the huge locking hook crab things that are standard on working at height gear...



I have a pair of those, but not the required mass of testicles to climb a mast I've been eyeing up for a long time now.

Would be amusing to chuck them on the spare kit and watch someone else struggle with them underground... :angel:
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NewStuff
10 years ago
On the subject of Unusal designs for Locking krabs, I came across these...

Thoughts? Has anyone used them?

Searching for the ever elusive Underground Titty Bar.

DDDWH CC
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