Niche or weird climbing gear

What's the nichest climbing gear that you really like, I'm looking for weird and uncommon climbing gear

Like this double-sided nut or fabric cam?

Please show us a pic of that double nut being used. How do you clip it? Slide up one nut out of the way? Can you make an opposing double placement with it? 

The Fabric cam is the real gem here, show us that baby in action!

Another UFO cam, two plastic hexes, and a Stubai 3D Ultralight biner from when someone thought that asymmetrical biners were the way of the future.

ClimbingOnwrote:

 Stubai 3D Ultralight biner from when someone thought that asymmetrical biners were the way of the future.

Genuine question, why didn't this catch on? Higher manufacturing costs? I've never seen one irl, but it seems like they could have a really large gate opening, which could be cool

Yukon Corneliuswrote:

Genuine question, why didn't this catch on? Higher manufacturing costs? I've never seen one irl, but it seems like they could have a really large gate opening, which could be cool

One doesn't need the 3D body shape to get a wider gate opening. The gate attachment points on the body can be machined at an angle so that the gate opens in a slightly different plane from the rest of the karabiner - thus enabling it to sit alongside the spine rather than butting up against it. I think that Charlet once had such a model, likely manufactured by Contat Frères, and more recently one of the Italian brands - Camp or Kong. 

Ignatius Piwrote:

One doesn't need the 3D body shape to get a wider gate opening. The gate attachment points on the body can be machined at an angle so that the gate opens in a slightly different plane from the rest of the karabiner - thus enabling it to sit alongside the spine rather than butting up against it. I think that Charlet once had such a model, likely manufactured by Contat Frères, and more recently one of the Italian brands - Camp or Kong. 

The Omega Jake (HMS size locker) did that.

Ignatius Piwrote:

One doesn't need the 3D body shape to get a wider gate opening. The gate attachment points on the body can be machined at an angle so that the gate opens in a slightly different plane from the rest of the karabiner - thus enabling it to sit alongside the spine rather than butting up against it. I think that Charlet once had such a model, likely manufactured by Contat Frères, and more recently one of the Italian brands - Camp or Kong. 

Omega Pacific and Rock Exotic make them over here.

Simond’s Joker, the carabiner has to be rotated so a notch in the black wheel lines up with a part of the gate so it can open.

A descender, maybe, an eBay buy?

Not super weird but I love weird nut tools: a slewa chock tocker with a custom leash and sheath made from a seat belt. it was gifted to me by and old school Yosemite aid climber 

Lowe Chock Tocker made by Salewa in 1980s.

Do you still have yours Allen?

Eric Craigwrote:

Do you still have yours Allen?

I have three :-). Well, technically two as one belongs to my wife.

MSR "Auto Belayer" . You threaded the rope though some of the holes, with an addition 6 feet then tie in. Tightened the screw and clipped the device to your harness with a locker. It was supposed to absorb energy in a fall. I suppose it could be configured as a reusable Screamer. Can't say I really like it. I never used it.

Ignatius Piwrote:

One doesn't need the 3D body shape to get a wider gate opening. The gate attachment points on the body can be machined at an angle so that the gate opens in a slightly different plane from the rest of the karabiner - thus enabling it to sit alongside the spine rather than butting up against it. I think that Charlet once had such a model, likely manufactured by Contat Frères, and more recently one of the Italian brands - Camp or Kong. 

To continue my post-a-day on this thread, Pi is correct. They are clumsy to operate and offer no advantages. Here are other examples from Stubai - the original 3D, the 3D Ultralight, and the locker:

And here are the Contat Freres to which Pi referred (three different versions):

wivanoffwrote:

MSR "Auto Belayer" . You threaded the rope though some of the holes, with an addition 6 feet then tie in. Tightened the screw and clipped the device to your harness with a locker. It was supposed to absorb energy in a fall. I suppose it could be configured as a reusable Screamer. Can't say I really like it. I never used it.

Kong still makes something like this. Called the Kisa. They market it as a reusable shock absorber. I got one to use for my lighter partner as a way to dissipate force during falls. Never actually used it though. Maybe I'll dig it out and at it to the thread.

Tone Loc wrote:

What’s the screw for? To fix the end of the rope in the device? So, not really good for belaying any significant distance? Or just to add some friction but not enough to stop the rope?

ClimbingOnwrote:

And here are the Contat Freres to which Pi referred (three different versions):

Ah - interesting! Thanks very much. I'd no idea that they ever made an oval of any gate type. Fairly early design, I would imagine. Any idea of a date? 1970s?

Ignatius Piwrote:

Yes, 70s, likely early 70s. They are a fairly rare biner to find, at least in the US. 

Not my picture, but Rolo Garibotti's Ice Axe wings for climbing rime ice mushrooms.  I like the idea of a piece of gear that is made for one specific mountain group and makes a significant difference in chance of success.

Passive pro: Trinuts and coconuts.

Active pro: How about this?:

https://kalquin.com/