The DMM Revolver is a non-locking carabiner that incorporates a new concept in addressing rope friction and drag. This comes in the form of a 5.5 mm radius roller incorporated at its basket end.
The roller is made of 7075 aluminum alloy which guarantees its good fatigue strength. Inside it is a dry-tube Igus bearing which is supported by a high-tensile sleeve made of stainless steel. A spindle, also high-tensile and stainless, is underneath. This spindle is extremely strong and can take a force from 10 to 12 kN.
When a rope runs on a conventional carabiner bar, sliding friction is generated. With a DMM Revolver Carabiner, however, there is no sliding friction. Instead what it has is rolling friction as the rope passes over the roller. Because the roller rotates with the rope, less friction is generated.
The implications of this are enormous. It makes a climber’s upward progress easier and faster. Additionally, it also means less wear and tear on your climbing ropes thus prolonging their useful lives. With the reduced friction the impact of a fall is more evenly distributed across the system. This eases the load on the last protective gear.
In addition to this innovative roller design, the DMM Revolver Carabiner has been lightened. This is achieved by hot-forging the back and creating lightening panels on the I-beam. In the process, the carabiner also ended up looking stylish.
The strength rating of the DMM Revolver is 24 kN with gate closed, while it is 9 kN when open. Its minor axis can support 7 kN.