Figure 8s and descenders are used to apply friction to the climbing line and control the rate of descent.
Large rescue 8 with ears ideal for rescue, mountaineering, and lowering loads. 40 kN (8,992 lb) rating. Compatible with ropes up to 12mm (1/2"), weighs 252 g (8.9 oz).
Aluminum rescue figure 8 with bent ears. 40 kN (8,992 lb) rating along main access. Compatible with ropes up to 12.7mm (1/2"). Made in the USA.
This steel figure eight is very popular for its high strength. Uses include personal belay, rescue, and rigging. The steel figure eight has long bent ears to prevent the rope from locking up during descent. Popular for rescue kits or as an inexpensive lowering device. 11,250 lb (50 kN) break strength.
Aluminum standard eight is lightweight, compact, and dissipates heat well. Anodized aluminum stands up well to use.
Easy to rig when wearing gloves, this compact 8 has smooth action. Anodized aluminum. Weighs 2.9 oz. 4.6" long. Made in the U.S.A.
Rated: Excellent Review by: Phil
“ Love this 8. Excellent balance of size and weight. Very easy to rig 16- and 24-strand quickly and correctly. Good, smooth control of the descent. Excellent value.”
The Petzl Pirana is a unique descender with three different braking positions, two supplementary braking spurs, and a small carabiner hole for a “rigid” carabiner/descender unit which helps to keep the descender positioned correctly. The carabiner hole will only fit Petzl carabiners, and is meant to be a tight fit.
New descender from Sterling Rope incorporates the best of tube, plate, and figure 8 style devices into one compact and durable tool. This unique device allows multiple friction settings on rappel as well as auto lock-off belay options. The ATS incorporates the best parts of a tube or plate device and a figure 8 with 'hyper-horns' into one compact, durable frame.
5,170 lb break strength.
Video Overview by Niceguydave.
Rated: Excellent Review by: TRL
“First plate I have ever used. I tried it both directions with 1/2" rope, no real discernible difference noticed. Easy to soft lock. I think it allows one to descend faster than a figure 8, again not a big difference. ”
The Scarab Rescue Tool is a stainless steel tool that excels at easily controlling heavy rescue loads, pick-offs, twin rope systems, and other rescue techniques. The Scarab is strong, does not twist ropes, and allows quick adjustment of friction with easy lock-offs and ambidextrous use. Single and double rope capable, and allows attachment of rope without unclipping from anchor.
Rope capacity 9mm - 13mm (up to 1/2"), NFPA 1983 G, weighs 385g (13.8 oz).
Video Overview of the Scarab Rescue Tool by Niceguydave
Rated: Excellent Review by: Jamz Luce
“ The Scarab is so simple and so good. It handles loads smoothly. Easy to lock off. Easy to add or remove wraps for control. I am using mine for rigging exclusively. Game changer for lowering loads out of the tree. Set a block above and take the Scarab to where you are cutting to control the load from there. Use a quick sling like a BARC to position the Scarab. Lock it off or let it run. Works great on 1/2" rigging lines. Super versatile even with loads in the hundreds of pounds. So many places it works great. I now need another to use in climbing/rescue applications. ”
Rock Exotica Mini-eight features side ears that let you easily vary friction, and is super compact - great for an emergency descender. Carabiner hole has rubber gasket that fits tightly on a Rock Exotica or Petzl carabiner. Only 3.6” long! Made in the U.S.A.
Designed for firefighters in bailout situations, compact aluminum 8 is perfect for your bail-out kit. Works on a wide range of ropes; smaller ropes when doubled up to 7.5mm, and single up to 12.5 mm (1/2”). Weighs 1.7 oz (48g). Made in the U.S.A.
Rated: Excellent Review by: Phill Smith
“This has proven to be an excellent backup to the Mountaineering 8 for descents. The smaller size makes it a bit slower to rig on kernmantles, but Velocity and other 7/16" 24-strands rig up just fine, even with gloves. Control of descent speed is very similar to a full-size 8 - certainly close enough to be very safe if you have to switch to your backup 8. This is a very good combination of size, weight, and function for the very little space it takes up on the kit.”
Russ Anderson / SMC figure 8 with ears is a classic design and is rated to NFPA 'T' on 9.5mm to 12.5mm rope, and NFPA 'G' on 11m to 16mm rope. Anodized aluminum. 7,194 lb breaking strength (32 kN). 6” x 5.25” x .5”. Weighs 6.5 oz (184g). Made in the U.S.A.
Seattle Manufacturing Company's Descend Control stainless eight is lightweight, tough, with exceptional control of acceleration, rappelling speed, and stopping. Wider shoulders help prevent girth hitching the rope. Made in the U.S.A.
Weight: 7.5 oz (213g), Dimensions: 5" x 3.7" x 0.375", Max. Rope size: 1/2" (12.5mm), 3 Sigma test: >20,000 lbf (89kN)
Rated: Excellent Review by: Matt
“This figure 8 is top notch! It does not get "eaten up" like aluminum will when descending on three strand rope. It will even work on rope diameters up to 5/8! It is constructed of beautifully welded stainless steel instead of milled aluminum or cast steel. Very sturdy!”
The Totem was designed to be the most versatile rigging and rappelling tool available. It can function as a rigging plate, an easy-to-lock-off figure 8, sticht plate, auto-blocking plaquette device, and many other configurations. Although designed originally for canyoneering, the Totem is a valuable tool for rock climbing, mountaineering, caving, rappelling and rescue.
30 kN MBS, Max rope diameter (single: 13mm, double: 10.5mm), Dimensions: 7.5" x 2.5", weighs 4.5 oz (128 gm).
The U-Rack utilizes Hyper bars which makes it easy to add friction or lock off the device. The rack dissipates heat excellently while still giving the needed amount of friction for long rappels. SMC tests their equipment in the user configuration which gives very accurate ratings. This rack is designed to run on ropes from 7-12.5mm and has a MBS range of 8kN to 22kN which corresponds with ropes you would use it with. At 9” x 3’ it is the most compact rack from SMC.
Rated: Good Review by: Scott A.
“ The staff at WesSpur recommended this rack for rappelling. I am on a wildlife snag creation project for U.S.F.S. and have used this rack for rappelling. down from 50+ feet over 100 times in the last year. It shows no sign of wear on the bars. I have used it mostly with 3/8ths line. With chainsaw and gear, I weigh over 250lbs. It provides just the right friction with one wrap over the top ear. Easy to wrap the ears and tie off when needed. My only complaint is that the bottom bar is tough to unsnap from the u-rack. This might be a designed safety feature to ensure the bar stays in place if slack gets thrown into your rappel line from below. This product is well made. Would recommend.”
With the SMC J rack, you can build your own rappel bar assembly by adding the brake and tie-off bars you want.
