View Full Version : Finsterwalder-Charly Pin Lock Carabiner
Has anyone seen these before? (http://www.finsterwalder-charly.de/html_eng/bauteile/pinlock.php)
http://www.finsterwalder-charly.de/images/bauteile/pinlock_detail.jpg
They're intended for paragliding or powerparagliding.
I think they'd be pretty nifty for hammocking.
Gathered end hammocks could pass the drop-forged link through the hem-channel, then slip a webbing loop (to a buckle or straight to tree) over the pin.
Perhaps a bit of overkill. But . . . they weigh 80 grams . . . so not much different than other carabiners.
Only thing is they only seem to be available in Europe.
No sites in the US seem to carry them.
I'd be interested in ordering a couple just to try out.
But . . . . it'd be pretty expensive for just 2 of the things.
Anyway . . . thought I'd pass the info along.
TiredFeet
03-10-2008, 15:51
hmm used Google:
80 grams = 2.82191696 ounces
That's almost 3 times as heavy as the CAMP Nano carabiners AngrySparrow pointed me to and that I use.
I'll wait to see if the benefits outweigh the drawback. :rolleyes:
Yes, but you're not going to put that nano carabiner through the hem in the end of your hammock.
My point with the pinlock was that it might be possible to gather the ends of a Claytor or Clark in the carabiner. Then have a webbing strap (like Mule makes) connect directly to the pin via a loop.
And becaues of this specialized usage, I was comparing the weight to other carabiners that would work for the job . . . like the Petzl Attache or the CAMP HMS twist-lock.
TiredFeet
03-11-2008, 11:45
Yes, but you're not going to put that nano carabiner through the hem in the end of your hammock.
My point with the pinlock was that it might be possible to gather the ends of a Claytor or Clark in the carabiner. Then have a webbing strap (like Mule makes) connect directly to the pin via a loop.
And becaues of this specialized usage, I was comparing the weight to other carabiners that would work for the job . . . like the Petzl Attache or the CAMP HMS twist-lock.
Just looked at the Nano Wire and the HMS Twist Lock. Other than the fact that the latter is a locking carabiner, the specs put them at almost the same size. Would seem that if you think the HMS Twist Lock would work, then the Nano Wire would also based on size. And the gate opening are almost identical. The shapes don't seem much different - both pear shaped - and the major axis ratings are the same for all practical purposes (Wire - 22 kn, Twist Lock - 23 kn)
Is the locking feature really necessary for a hammock?
It's not so much the locking that I'd want.
It's the symmetry.
Most carabiners these days (like the Nano) are that asymmetric design, shaped that way to align rope.
And for the gathered end of the hammock, I think you'd want something closer to "flat" so that weight is distributed evenly across that leg of the carabiner.
Of course, I'm not an engineer.
TiredFeet
03-11-2008, 12:35
It's not so much the locking that I'd want.
It's the symmetry.
Most carabiners these days (like the Nano) are that asymmetric design, shaped that way to align rope.
And for the gathered end of the hammock, I think you'd want something closer to "flat" so that weight is distributed evenly across that leg of the carabiner.
Of course, I'm not an engineer.
Ahhh - that sounds reasonable. And a pretty good idea. If you decide to try it, let us know how it works and how easy it is to get that carabiner. There are probably other places that could be used also.
troglobil
03-11-2008, 15:45
look at mallion rapides as an alternative to carabiners. They come in various shapes such as oval, square, half round, and triangular. you can get them at
www.innermountainoutfitters.net or www.onrope1.com