Hands-on Gear Review

Black Diamond Grappling Hook Review

Black Diamond Grappling Hook
By: Chris McNamara ⋅ Founder and Editor-in-Chief  ⋅  Apr 17, 2010
Price:  $16 List  |  $15.95 at Amazon
Pros:  Works on a big range of edges, stable.
Cons:  Gets hooked on your rack easily (but that's not its fault... it's a hook!
Manufacturer:   Black Diamond

Our Verdict

The Black Diamond Grappling Hook is great hook that is probably the one on my rack most often used. It has great stability and works on a big range of edges from big to small.

It is probably the first hook I would buy. Second I would get the Black Diamond Talon and finally the Black Diamond Cliffhanger. That three-hook combo is really all you need to get up 99 percent of wall routes. Bring one set for easy aid routes, two sets for hard aid and maybe some other specialty hooks for really hard aid.


Our Analysis and Test Results

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Likes


This Black Diamond hook has a big range. It excels on big edges, but also works on smaller ones. It is probably the hook I use most and almost makes the Black Diamond Cliffhanger obsolete (but not quite). The big fins on the base give it great stability and you worry less about it twisting off an edge. These things last forever. I have never worn one down.

Dislikes


There are no major dislikes with this hook. Because it is big, it gets hung up on your rack a little more than other hooks but there is no way around that. Hooks are meant to get hooked!

Best Application


This is great for any wall with a few hook moves or a ton of them.

Value


At $14 this is money well spent. I am not aware of any hooks that are much cheaper.

— Chris McNamara


OutdoorGearLab Member Reviews


Most recent review: August 30, 2010
Summary of All Ratings

OutdoorGearLab Editors' Rating:  
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 (5.0)
Average Customer Rating:  
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 (5.0)

100% of 1 reviewers recommend it
 
Rating Distribution
2 Total Ratings
5 star: 100%  (2)
4 star: 0%  (0)
3 star: 0%  (0)
2 star: 0%  (0)
1 star: 0%  (0)

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   Aug 30, 2010 - 01:18pm
Mike. · Climber

Spot-on review, IMO.

A Grappling with a pointed tip is also a hugely useful piece. If you take down some of the radius and use a long taper, this hook can cover large placements, pretty much any pointed or regular Cliffhanger placement, and B.A.T. placements. Show me another hook that can cover that range.



Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this product to a friend.


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