Talk:Quickdraw

Some ambiguity here. The rope is always attached to the bent gate to prevent abrasion to the rope -- I assume that any abrasion prevention is by merit of reserving the rope-carrying carabiner as pristine and the other as subject to rock-borne abuse. In particular, the shape of the gate has nothing to do with abrasion prevention.

Also, the article states that wire gates are often preferred from a safety perspective. What are the safety benefits of a wire gate? Is it because they are less likely to snag the rope as it is fed through the gate?

To answer your first question, the shape of the bent gates supposedly aids clipping the rope into the carabiner with one hand. (I say supposedly because I don't notice it being any easier.) The bent gate does offer an increased maximum diameter for the opening. Rope-wear consideration is probably just a secondary factor, but has no relation to the actual shape of the gate.

For your second question, wire gates are less likely to open momentarily if a sudden shock is applied to the back spine of the carabiner. Whether the solid gates would open sufficiently to allow the rope to unclip, even in the worst case, is debateable though.

Stewart Adcock 4 July 2005 08:27 (UTC)

It's important to distinguish the rope end and the bolt end of a quickdraw, so having different carabiners helps. After a fall, the carabiner that was clipped to the bolt may develop tiny sharp spurs from the impact with bolt or piton. If the two ends of the draw are used interchangeably, the rope may be clipped to the carabiner with the spur. If the rope runs under tension, e.g. another fall or lowering off, this can rip the sheath of the climbing rope.96.54.53.165 (talk) 18:31, 18 October 2009 (UTC)

If the gate bounces open on a fall, then the strength rating of the carabiner drops to around 7-9 kN depending on the make. This is much less likely to happen with a wire gate.96.54.53.165 (talk) 19:29, 18 October 2009 (UTC)

Spelling (carabiner / karabiner)

Hi -- just wondering why the spelling of carabiner as "karabiner"? In the US, the c-spelling is generally used. Also: agree with Stewart's note above. Will add that wire gates are generally easier to clip, as the gate generally opens easier than a non-wire-gate carabiner.

I have changed the spellings here karabiner --> carabiner. See Talk:Carabiner for discussion please. Garrettcobb 05:14, 15 May 2006 (UTC)