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The typical carabiner has a gate that opens inward, which makes it easy to snap a rope through the gate, or to snap the gate over a rope. This 1906 link has a gate that opens outward, and don't ask me why. Other than the gate opening outward, this design looks pretty much like a modern carabiner. The gate has a spring that locks the gate shut until the user presses the release, much like a lock back knife. Pretty ingenious!
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I wonder how many mountaineers fell after their outward opening carabiners failed?
Posted by: Josh | July 20, 2005 at 01:47 PM
I doubt this was used by mountaineers, but maybe by other users of rope, like sailors and yatch people. It does make you wonder why they had the gate opening outward though. Bob
Posted by: Bob Shaver | July 21, 2005 at 10:18 AM
The gates on these snaps open out rather than in to allow for maximum opening area (larger mouth opening)when attaching rope and webbing.
Posted by: BigMouth | November 02, 2006 at 07:11 AM
Does anyone know where I can get a full history for the carabiner?
Posted by: Shoe | December 10, 2006 at 07:02 PM
Do you know exactly where the carabiner was invented?
Posted by: Emily | October 01, 2007 at 08:43 PM