With their Be Free carabiner Beal wanted to broach two inherent problems that are unique to carabiners: rope economy after falls and chaffing, and confusion that might arise between the carbiner for anchor point clipping and those for rope clipping.
For this second point the top carabiner, Be Top, is a thin model with a right finger and a Key Lock system so it is impossible for the nose to clip onto an anchor point, strap, cord. It is smaller so easy to differentiate it from rope carabiners. A great idea because obviously on belay devices and pitons, less on rings and runners, carabiners can in time be submitted to aggressive chaffing that damages the rope. For the bottom carabiner, the Be One, it has a curved gate.
It has a larger thicker receiving zone so in the event of a fall the rope flattens to spread the shock by increasing the receptive surface area and increase the life of the rope. The Express 12cm sewn strap is delivered with a holding string for the bottom carabiner. Overall the Be Free is an interesting concept, a pleasant, light quick draw with easy clipping on the cord. The only inconvenience is the size of the top carabiner, it’s much too small, you can easily drop it and whilst wearing gloves use becomes problematic. A carabiner for single pitch routes, rather than longer routes or mountain use, and a longer strap wouldn’t go amiss. Reasonably priced in the range of products of the same quality.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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