Screw gate biners

[Jamin_Mayer]

I don't like screw gates

 

[Leon]

I started off climbing on screw gates (actally, that's a lie, I started off on a big steel rope snap, but after a few months switched to biners). Some stayed closed better than others, but it was always constant process of checking on them as I was working (along with the trusty old tautline), because they would come open eventually. I still have the habit of checking my gear as I work but not with as much frequency now.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Years ago I used steel Stubai screw gates instead of the single locking rope snaps that were available. One time I looked down and the gate had unscrewed, opened and the left d-ring of my butt strap had come out of the biner. I was just about to lean backwards to make a cut. If I had, the harness would have dumped me sideways for a fall...not to the ground but I would have gotten mixed up. After that I started to look closer at my biners. The next time I went to the gear store I bought some of the Black Diamond Super Lockers. When double auto-locking biners became common I made the complete switch.