Maximus Press vs ClimbTech Mussy Hooks

Any thoughts on Maximus Press vs ClimbTech Mussy Hooks? They seem comparably priced and similar materials (zinc plated steel).

I've seen some very similar ones on climbs. The gates seem to get messed up.

Climb tech hooks are definitely preferred. The wire gate does fail as easily, or get as sharp.  The maximus press ones just appear to be tow hooks, vs something that is modified for climbing. 

Those are just standard tow hooks, aka "old mussy hooks". The Climbtech ones are way, way better.

They're not horrible, we don't swap them out for new hooks unless the gate gets messed up (fairly common).

If you use the old style ones, be really careful on the exact placement, since the back of the gate is pretty sharp and can shred rope sheaths, particularly at anchors on slabs. If you are careful with pliers you can bend the back parts of the gate to be less sharp, but the little springs are not so great, so you have to be careful.

Thanks all!

Greg Barneswrote:

Those are just standard tow hooks, aka "old mussy hooks". The Climbtech ones are way, way better.

They're not horrible, we don't swap them out for new hooks unless the gate gets messed up (fairly common).

If you use the old style ones, be really careful on the exact placement, since the back of the gate is pretty sharp and can shred rope sheaths, particularly at anchors on slabs. If you are careful with pliers you can bend the back parts of the gate to be less sharp, but the little springs are not so great, so you have to be careful.

Greg. I have been using the old Mussy hooks from US Rigging (you turned me onto them years ago and told me how to modify the latch to make it safer) I like them but I have never been a fan of their locking latch (as you point out it is sharp and easily bent to become unusable) What are you now recommending for sport route top anchors? Seems like the Climb Tech top anchor hook is good and reasonably priced.

The Climbtech anchor hooks are now the standard, we don't use the old tow hooks (haven't for a long time). 

If you're doing crag maintenance, there's no particular reason to swap out the old hooks until they are worn down a fair bit, unless the gates are broken, or they're in a position where the rope ends up running over the back of the gate (most common on slabs, and spots where people clip 2 different anchors, e.g. leading an easier route and TR-ing a harder route next to it).

What's the deal with climbtech's hooks being perpetually out of stock? I'd love to use them in my climbs but I haven't been able to get them in the last year so I'm suck with lesser alternatives.

They are often out of stock, because they really are that good.

El Duderinowrote:

Any thoughts on Maximus Press vs ClimbTech Mussy Hooks? They seem comparably priced and similar materials (zinc plated steel).

Honestly probably Mussys... But look at marine hardware sites... They sell mussy type hooks but are stainless steel and they aren't that expensive.

Greg Barneswrote:

The Climbtech anchor hooks are now the standard, we don't use the old tow hooks (haven't for a long time). 

If you're doing crag maintenance, there's no particular reason to swap out the old hooks until they are worn down a fair bit, unless the gates are broken, or they're in a position where the rope ends up running over the back of the gate (most common on slabs, and spots where people clip 2 different anchors, e.g. leading an easier route and TR-ing a harder route next to it).

Greg what about these types of Hooks? usstainless.com/hardware/sp…

Matt Kingwrote:

Greg what about these types of Hooks? usstainless.com/hardware/sp…

I've used those on my climbs. The gates are a tad stiff for one handed clipping. They work, but they're not ideal.

bmdhackswrote:

I've used those on my climbs. The gates are a tad stiff for one handed clipping. They work, but they're not ideal.

Sounds like you need to get your clippy fingers stronger!!! Ha ha...

If you can't find Climbtech mussy hooks, try these. I think they are pretty much the same thing.

https://www.uscargocontrol.com/products/galvanized-carbon-eye-hoist-hook-w-latch-1-ton

Matt Kingwrote:

Greg what about these types of Hooks? usstainless.com/hardware/sp…

I’ve been using these for a few years now and really like them.   The only place I wouldn’t use them is a highly trafficked route only because they will wear faster than the Climbtech mussys.   For even moderately traveled routes I think they are great and have held up just fine. 

Matt Kingwrote:

Greg what about these types of Hooks? usstainless.com/hardware/sp…

I used these for the last few routes I put up last spring and I liked them a bunch.   I am developing a low-traffic area, so I don't worry too much about wear.  The 5/16ths are rated high enough for single-pitch TR anchors that only will be used for lowering and top roping but they look really small.  I'm sure it might freak someone out if they don't know what they are. I am wondering if I will get comments about them on the MP route page this coming season.  If I were in a high-traffic area or I was worried about giving people the freaks,  I would go with the 3/8ths. https://usstainless.com/hardware/spring-hooks/stainless-steel-316-spring-hook-carabiner-3-8-10mm-marine-grade-safety-clip/

I have tried getting those mussy hooks but I have never seen them in stock when I was ready to purchase. 

Canadian Badger (Eric Ruljancich)wrote:

If you can't find Climbtech mussy hooks, try these. I think they are pretty much the same thing.

https://www.uscargocontrol.com/products/galvanized-carbon-eye-hoist-hook-w-latch-1-ton

Anyone have any experience directly with these? They’re cheaper and seem to be more available than climbtechs

Tal Mwrote:

Anyone have any experience directly with these? They’re cheaper and seem to be more available than climbtechs

I’ve used them, They will work but the gate is just bent sheet metal and a weak spring.   If it’s not a high traffic area they are fine but I wouldn’t use them anywhere they will see tons of use.   

Now that the climbing side of climbtech seems to have dissolved, does anyone know where to source more anchor hooks or some equivalent mussy?

JD Merrittwrote:

Now that the climbing side of climbtech seems to have dissolved, does anyone know where to source more anchor hooks or some equivalent mussy?

https://sportbolting.com/

or email contact@safeclimbing.org for grants via the lower off initiative if you are equipping existing routes with lower offs.

I like the mussy hooks with wire gates instead of the more common spring loaded latch. Get them through sportbolting.com $7.95