ALUMINIUM KARABINERS

All BlueWater aluminum karabiners are manufactured from 7000 series high-strength aircraft alloy aluminum rod which is "cold forged". After forming, it is heat treated to T-6 temper, providing the optimum combination of high strength and light weight.

Simply put, "forging" is moving metal under pressure into a shape designed for a specific application. When a karabiner is "hot forged", the aluminum is heated to an elevated temperature before it is "forged" into its desired configuration. When a karabiner is "cold forged", the aluminum is "forged" at room temperature. Both methods of "forging" can provide the intricate shapes required for today's high performance karabiners.

Until now, no one has successfully "cold forged" today's high performance karabiners. BlueWater, working in conjunction with Omega Pacific, has recently developed a sophisticated "cold forging" process that economically manufactures these high performance karabiners.

BlueWater karabiners come in a variety of sizes and shapes, from full-sized standard ovals, D's and locking D's to smaller, light-weight high performance designs. Each karabiner is suited to fit a particular purpose and price range.

All BlueWater Viper, Adder and Catalyst karabiners feature hooded gates. This unique gate design offers increased abrasion protection for the rope by eliminating the sharp edges found on the inside of conventional karabiner gates. The gates are also spin riveted to eliminate gate stress and provide superior gate holding strength.

Viper, Adder, and Catalyst Light karabiners are available with a choice of either straight or bent gates. Bent gate karabiners make clipping the rope easier and are commonly used in sport, alpine and winter climbing. Be aware that in certain situations a bent gate karabiner can accidentally become unclipped more easily than a straight gate karabiner. For this reason, do not clip bent gate karabiners directly into bolts, pins or nuts. Use a bent gate karabiner on the rope end of the quick draw only. Straight gate karabiners are designed to be used in all other climbing applications.

All BlueWater karabiners have high gate open strengths ranging from 7kN to 9kN. The UIAA requires no less than 7kN to minimize the possibility of failure if a karabiner is inadvertently loaded when the gate is open. This most often happens when: (1) the karabiner gate is forced into the rock due to improper rigging, (2) the karabiner is slapped into the rock causing the gate to open temporarily, or (3) in the event of gate flutter caused by the vibration of the rope running rapidly, under tension, through the karabiner in a fall. For this reason, it is important to make sure karabiners are properly rigged and to use karabiners with high gate-open strength for added security.

Locking karabiners

Modern locking karabiners come in two configurations: frame lock and gate lock. Frame locking karabiners are designed so that the locking sleeve screws up against the nose of the karabiner frame to secure the gate in the locked position. The advantage of this style is that frame locking karabiners are less likely to become unlocked accidentally than gate lock karabiners. In addition, frame lock karabiner sleeves may be removed for cleaning of the sleeve and threads. It is important not to over-tighten the locking barrel on a frame lock karabiner when it is weighted or it will be difficult to unlock. Screwing the barrel down until it is snug with the karabiner unweighted will assure the karabiner stays locked without having to over-tighten it.

In the gate lock karabiner design, the locking barrel screws up against a keeper ring that prevents it from coming into contact with the nose of the karabiner frame, minimizing the problem of binding as a result of over-tightening. For this reason the gate lock design is used in applications where screw gates are continually checked to make sure they are secure or with lighter-weight performance karabiner designs that allow more frame flex. Choosing between gate and frame lock style karabiners is a personal preference.

VIPER and ADDER KARABINERS

BlueWater Viper and Adder karabiners were designed with the needs of today's modern climbers in mind. High performance and superior quality are our focus. Their unique blend of features assures these karabiners to be the most functional, user friendly designs available today.

All Viper and Adder karabiners feature an off-set D shape with arched spines for an anatomical fit and maximum gate opening. Both straight and bent gate models feature hooded gates to minimize rope abrasion from the inside surface of the gate. Cold forging allows us to produce these karabiners with thin light-weight spines and large radius inside surfaces where the karabiner comes into contact with the rope.

Viper Straight Gate This karabiner is a large offset D with an anodized straight gate. It is a full strength, high performance karabiner for multiple uses, easy clips and winter climbing. Weight: 2 oz./56g

Viper Bent Gate The bent gate version of the Viper karabiner features an easy-to-clip bent gate for sport and winter climbing. Weight: 2 oz./56g

Viper Locking Screw Gate This is a large offset D karabiner that features an easy to use gate lock screw gate for positive closure when needed. Weight: 2.1 oz./60g

Adder Straight Gate Adder karabiners are made with the same features as our Viper karabiners but are a smaller, lighter-weight version for use when weight is a serious consideration. Weight: 1.8/ oz. 50g

Adder Bent Gate This bent gate version of the Adder is great for sport climbing and long alpine rock climbs where weight is a serious consideration. Weight:1.8 oz./ 50g

Catalyst karabiners

BlueWater Catalyst karabiners were designed to provide outstanding performance at an affordable price. These karabiners feature flat sided frames that rack easily and seat comfortably next to each other. They are available in light weight 10mm and full size 11mm sizes to cover a wide variety of karabiner applications.

Catalyst Light 10mm The 10mm Light is a light-weight offset D karabiner for use in sport/recreational and alpine climbing. It is available with a straight gate for normal applications or a bent gate for ease of clipping on the rope end of a quick draw. The screw gate version provides a securely locked gate when needed. The locking barrel can be removed in the event it becomes necessary to clean dirt or grit from the threads. UIAA Certified. (straight and bent gate) Weight: 1.7 oz./47g; (locking screw gate) ??

Catalyst 11mm Oval Our Catalyst 11mm karabiners were designed to be used in applications where full-sized, full-strength karabiners are required. The standard oval shape is useful for top-roping using karabiners with opposed gates, karabiner brake rappel systems, big wall aid climbing, and other general climbing and rescue applications where the symmetrical oval shape provides superior performance. UIAA Certified. Weight: 2.2 oz./62g

Catalyst 11mm D This standard D shaped karabiner is slightly stronger than the oval because the load on the karabiner is moved farther away from the gate and closer to the spine. The Catalyst 11mm D is also available in a black finish for police and military applications where low visibility is required. UIAA Certified. Weight: 2.2 oz./62g

Catalyst 11mm D Locking Screw Gate Our 11mm D is available in a frame lock screw gate version as well. This screw gate design is simple, easy to use and provides a securely locked gate when needed. The locking barrel can be removed in the event it becomes necessary to clean dirt or grit from the threads. This karabiner is available in black for use in low visibility applications. UIAA Certified. Weight: 2.4 oz./68g

Catalyst 12mm HMS Locking Screw Gate This karabiner works well in any climbing or rescue application where the larger diameter stock and the HMS shape are desired. The HMS shape provides extra room at the top of the karabiner for multiple clip ins or for use with a Münter hitch belay knot. Weight: 3.6 oz./99g

STEEL KARABINERS

Steel karabiners are designed for use in applications where high strength and durability are of primary importance and weight is a secondary consideration. They are able to withstand more abuse and are less susceptible to stress fractures when accidentally dropped. Our locking steel karabiners utilize a gate lock design and are heat treated for increased strength. Gate lock karabiners are preferred in rescue applications where the karabiners are continually being checked to make sure they are securely locked. This design eliminates the danger of the locking mechanism being over-tightened, causing it to bind.

11mm Offset D Locking Screw Gate These full size offset D locking karabiners are for use in rescue and industrial applications. Schools and Ropes Courses find this karabiner useful as well. Available in Silver and Black. Weight: 7 oz./195g

Karabiner Care

Karabiners need very little in the way of care and maintenance. If a karabiner gets wet from rain or snow the gates can be treated with any water repellent lubricant. This also works to flush dirt and grit from a sticking gate. Impact can damage a karabiner internally and weaken it. If a karabiner is dropped on a climb, do not continue to use it. Visual inspection does not always reveal the damage; so to be on the safe side, the karabiner should be retired.

209 Lovvorn Road, Carrollton, Georgia 30117, USA

Tel: (770) 834 7515 Fax: (770) 836 1530

email: info@bluewaterropes.com