Wichard Snap Shackles - why so much $$$?!

[Trent hink]

This design was proven to be unsafe more than 15 years ago!

Here's a pic!

[Foil]

This design was proven to be unsafe more than 15 years ago!

Here's a pic!

wow!
I can confirm after testing exactly this same device many years back, it will not open under load, suspend yourself from a tree branch or solid beam, lean back full weight on the line and try to release,
fail fail fail, then take your weight off and pull again,
it works like magic, just like the day you bought it from the shop.
place it in suitable safe storage.
in the nearest bin.

[Windigo1]

This design was proven to be unsafe more than 15 years ago!

Here's a pic!

I only use it on the snow I had to release under load many times and I never had an issue maybe there are better ones but I have been happy with this one. If it breaks the kite will flag out and releasing has never been an issue plus I still have the chicken loop release too on most of my kites.

[alekbelia]

Ronstan RF6110 can be released under load of 100 kg. But there is no accidental unlocks.

[merl]

Ronstan RF6110 can be released under load of 100 kg. But there is no accidental unlocks.

You have said this before, so I am curious: what is the source of this info - personal tests? The pulling force you need on the ring will without doubt be proportional to the load, right? So how much force do you need at 100kg? The question is maybe whether it can be released with a modest amount of force at high load. I agree that the wichard can be too easy to release, but I think the force needed is pretty much independent of load - a good thing in my opinion.

[iriejohn]

yeah... those tend to fail when you need to eject.

Yes, they do fail. Won't touch them again.

[alekbelia]

You have said this before, so I am curious: what is the source of this info - personal tests? The pulling force you need on the ring will without doubt be proportional to the load, right? So how much force do you need at 100kg? The question is maybe whether it can be released with a modest amount of force at high load. I agree that the wichard can be too easy to release, but I think the force needed is pretty much independent of load - a good thing in my opinion.

I am 100 kg and tested it under all my weight. Compare pics of RF6110 and similar noname devices and you will understand the difference.
I don't like Wichard for only accidental releases.

[bragnouff]

Since there's a Wichard revival, here's a possible way to use it, as a full chicken loop replacement, allowing unhooking, donkey dicking, etc...
Customizable at will in terms of length.
Trigger is always on same side, need grab/push away
100% built from boat shop supplies, just bowline knots, no splicing.
The Wichard in the pic has been modded with a welded bit on the side, but same can be achieved with pigtail, or with a D ring after drilling in the W logo.


more: http://portnawake.com/stuff/WichardCL/revB.html

[knot_moving]

This design was proven to be unsafe more than 15 years ago!

Here's a pic!

I only use it on the snow I had to release under load many times and I never had an issue maybe there are better ones but I have been happy with this one. If it breaks the kite will flag out and releasing has never been an issue plus I still have the chicken loop release too on most of my kites.

As stated above - the more critical it is for you to be able to release it - that is, the stronger the pull on the shackle, the less likely it is to release & it is designed so that at a certain pull it becomes impossible to release because of friction. The issue is not having it break - that is probably almost impossible to happen, the issue is it is designed to not open when it is under load.

Wear, corrosion, contamination will all make the force at which it becomes unable to release lower. I understand you use it, and as you say - with chicken loop safety release also available then seems OK. It should never be used as primary safety release.

[Bille]

I have been using one from the Victory brand for 3 years for snow kiting it looks the same as wichard but it was like 25$ so far so good it's rated like 10 times my weight so that's good enough for me!

They do NOT work , under load, (every time) !!

When $H!T hits the fan, and you pull the release ; you really do want that kite to :
just Go-Away , (Now) !!

I bin using the one ronnie has , since 2004 ; when done properly it will release
every time. That Mod ronnie did to it , was a Good one (last post, on this page-- here) :

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2406385


Bille