Brand: Black Diamond

Category: Carabiners

Recommended by Dan Morley, Rock Climbing Guide — Gambrills, MD

Highlights: anchor building, top rope

The Black Diamond HotForge Screwgate Carabiner in Gray is a robust and reliable locking carabiner designed for climbers who demand safety and durability. Its innovative design and superior materials make it an essential tool for belaying, top roping, and various climbing adventures. 1. Screwgate mechanism for secure locking, ensuring safety during climbs. 2. Hot-forged construction provides a lightweight yet durable design, enhancing performance without compromising strength. 3. Keylock nose design prevents snagging, facilitating smooth clipping and unclipping. 4. Large gate opening allows for easy attachment to anchors and gear, improving usability. 5. Rated for a major axis strength of 24 kN, ensuring reliability under heavy loads. 6. Versatile design suitable for a variety of climbing applications, from sport to trad climbing. 7. Compact dimensions (specific dimensions not provided) make it easy to carry and integrate into your climbing gear setup. The Black Diamond HotForge Screwgate Carabiner is ideal for climbers of all skill levels, particularly those engaged in belaying and top roping. It excels in various outdoor environments, from rugged rock faces to indoor climbing gyms, providing peace of mind in safety-critical situations. Whether you're tackling challenging routes in spring or summer or preparing for winter ascents, this carabiner is a dependable companion for all your climbing needs.

Price: $16.95

Who it's for: Climbers who need reliable small lockers for anchor building, top-rope setups, prussiks, tethers, and rappel backups. Beginners are advised to start with at least two; the 3-pack suits those building out more complex systems.
What people are saying: Hosts consistently praise these as dependable, versatile lockers for everyday climbing tasks, with no criticism noted across any of the six endorsements. The 3-pack is called out as good value versus buying singles at ~$15 each.
Worth noting: Notes describe these as "miniature" locking carabiners, so size is worth confirming against your intended use. Coverage is uniformly positive and thin on technical detail, so specs should be verified independently.

Dan Morley's review

I love these basic-style carabiners for general use. I recommend having a minimum of two for your TR anchor-building needs. You'll need more as your systems and terrain expand; also available in a 3-pack.

Recommended by Dan Morley, Rock Climbing Guide

Frequently asked questions

Who is the HotForge Screwgate Carabiner for?

Climbers who need reliable small lockers for anchor building, top-rope setups, prussiks, tethers, and rappel backups. Beginners are advised to start with at least two; the 3-pack suits those building out more complex systems.

What do experts say about the HotForge Screwgate Carabiner?

Hosts consistently praise these as dependable, versatile lockers for everyday climbing tasks, with no criticism noted across any of the six endorsements. The 3-pack is called out as good value versus buying singles at ~$15 each.

What should you know before buying the HotForge Screwgate Carabiner?

Notes describe these as "miniature" locking carabiners, so size is worth confirming against your intended use. Coverage is uniformly positive and thin on technical detail, so specs should be verified independently.

What does Dan Morley say about the HotForge Screwgate Carabiner?

Why does Dan Morley recommend Black Diamond?

Dan Morley recommends the Black Diamond HotForge Screwgate Carabiner for carabiners. I love these basic-style carabiners for general use. I recommend having a minimum of two for your TR anchor-building needs. You'll need more as your systems and terrain expand; also available in a 3-pack.

Is the HotForge Screwgate Carabiner a good carabiner?

Yes — Dan Morley recommends the HotForge Screwgate Carabiner by Black Diamond as their carabiners pick. I love these basic-style carabiners for general use. I recommend having a minimum of two for your TR anchor-building needs. You'll need more as your systems and terrain expand; also available in a 3-pack.

More from Dan Morley's Top Rope Anchor Gear

View Dan Morley's expert gear recommendations on Rendezvu

HotForge Screwgate Carabiner by Black Diamond — recommended by Dan Morley

Black Diamond HotForge Screwgate Carabiner

Purchasing through this link directly supports Dan

Who it's for: Climbers who need reliable small lockers for anchor building, top-rope setups, prussiks, tethers, and rappel backups. Beginners are advised to start with at least two; the 3-pack suits those building out more complex systems.
What other hosts are saying: Hosts consistently praise these as dependable, versatile lockers for everyday climbing tasks, with no criticism noted across any of the six endorsements. The 3-pack is called out as good value versus buying singles at ~$15 each.
Worth noting: Notes describe these as "miniature" locking carabiners, so size is worth confirming against your intended use. Coverage is uniformly positive and thin on technical detail, so specs should be verified independently.

Black Diamond HotForge Screwgate Carabiner

Who it's for: Climbers who need reliable small lockers for anchor building, top-rope setups, prussiks, tethers, and rappel backups. Beginners are advised to start with at least two; the 3-pack suits those building out more complex systems.
What other hosts are saying: Hosts consistently praise these as dependable, versatile lockers for everyday climbing tasks, with no criticism noted across any of the six endorsements. The 3-pack is called out as good value versus buying singles at ~$15 each.
Worth noting: Notes describe these as "miniature" locking carabiners, so size is worth confirming against your intended use. Coverage is uniformly positive and thin on technical detail, so specs should be verified independently.

Purchasing through this link directly supports Dan

What other hosts are saying

5 experts recommend the Black Diamond HotForge Screwgate Carabiner.

Cora Hanson, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor

The trusty lockers I use for everything from building anchors to attaching my third-hand backup while rappelling.

Recommended in Top Rope Anchors

Teddy Dondanville, AMGA Assistant Rock Guide & Certified Single Pitch Instructor

Miniature locking carabiners are critical for anchor construction. They’re perfect for when you want to add a locking component to your system. These BD Hotforge carabiners are a solid choice.

Recommended in Top Rope Anchor Kit

Owen Duda, Climber, Guide, Craftsman, Writer

Perfect small lockers for prussik, tether, etc..

Recommended in Starter Rock Package

Chris Johnson, Apprentice Climbing Guide, Professional Ski Patroller

My pack of Hot Forge locking carabiners are still going strong. 4 is great for setting up top ropes.

Recommended in Sport Climbing Gear

Black Diamond HotForge Screwgate Carabiner

Purchasing through this link directly supports Dan

Who it's for: Climbers who need reliable small lockers for anchor building, top-rope setups, prussiks, tethers, and rappel backups. Beginners are advised to start with at least two; the 3-pack suits those building out more complex systems.
What other hosts are saying: Hosts consistently praise these as dependable, versatile lockers for everyday climbing tasks, with no criticism noted across any of the six endorsements. The 3-pack is called out as good value versus buying singles at ~$15 each.
Worth noting: Notes describe these as "miniature" locking carabiners, so size is worth confirming against your intended use. Coverage is uniformly positive and thin on technical detail, so specs should be verified independently.

Black Diamond HotForge Screwgate Carabiner

Who it's for: Climbers who need reliable small lockers for anchor building, top-rope setups, prussiks, tethers, and rappel backups. Beginners are advised to start with at least two; the 3-pack suits those building out more complex systems.
What other hosts are saying: Hosts consistently praise these as dependable, versatile lockers for everyday climbing tasks, with no criticism noted across any of the six endorsements. The 3-pack is called out as good value versus buying singles at ~$15 each.
Worth noting: Notes describe these as "miniature" locking carabiners, so size is worth confirming against your intended use. Coverage is uniformly positive and thin on technical detail, so specs should be verified independently.

Purchasing through this link directly supports Dan