anyone prefer oval karabiners?

[imagineero]

After using screwgates for about 15 years I had an accidental opening that has made me go to auto locks for anything I'm attaching to my harness. I went down and bought a couple wild country D shaped synergy tri locks which seemed just fine but after only a weeks use the 'auto close' spring on one has snapped. Went down and bought a couple petzls today, both tri-locks. One D shape and one oval. I've never really gotten into ovals and was wondering if they have an advantage I'm not seeing? The hitchclimber pulley guys spruke the oval beeners, and A few other guys do too. I tried an oval today and didn't really seem to be any different honestly. I'm using just a basic prussik hitch system for most of my work.

I'm still using screwgates for most other uses.

Shaun

 

[2treeornot2tree]

You are supposed to use the ovals on pulleys that have swinging side plates, like the ones you use on the diestel or vt knot. I think it is because it loads the side plates evenly. The D's keep the rope back against the spline, which is the strongest part of the carabiner. With a locking carabiner its not as big of a deal, but when your rock climbing with non locking biners you want the rope to stay against the spline and as far away from the gate as possable.

 

[imagineero]

hadn't even thought of that!

It makes sense that the pulleys are going to sit perpendicular to the beener, so ovals make sense there. I use shackles on my larger rigging pulleys and steel D shape screwgates on the smaller ones.

Any reason to prefer an oval over a D for just a standard prussik hitch with no slack tending pulley?

Thanks,
Shaun

 

[2treeornot2tree]

I would think its just personal preference.