ISC Iron Wizard Screwgate Carabiner

The ISC Iron Wizard is a steel screwgate carabiner. Steel resists the grooving that rope causes on aluminum, which makes it a good choice for rigging, anchors, and anything that sees heavy use.

Steel for hard use

On rigging setups, anchor slings, and lowering systems, rope and slings run over carabiners under real load. Aluminum wears grooves that can become sharp and cut rope. A steel carabiner like the Iron Wizard holds up far longer in that role.

A screwgate is simple and reliable but it only locks when you screw it shut. Make it a habit to close the sleeve and check it by hand after every clip, and mount it so the sleeve will not unscrew when rope or bark rubs across it.

Inspection and retirement

Before each climb, open the gate and let it snap shut. It should close fully and lock on its own without sticking. Look for cracks, sharp edges, grooves worn by rope, and deformation at the nose or hinge. Sap and grit are the usual cause of a lazy gate, so rinse and dry the carabiner and keep the gate mechanism clean.

Retire any carabiner that has been dropped from height onto a hard surface, shock loaded, or shows wear you cannot explain. Read the markings on the spine and confirm they meet what your system needs. Life-support gear must meet the applicable standard (ANSI Z133 and the manufacturer's instructions), be inspected before every climb, and be used only by trained climbers. See more screw gate carabiners.