OVERVIEW
Smarter design, maximum performance
For decades, Black Diamond set the standard in carabiner design—we wrote the book on it. But progress isn’t about sticking to the script. So, we threw it out. We reimagined every curve, gate, and ounce of material, questioning everything we thought we knew. By embracing cutting-edge metallurgy, refining geometries for optimal strength-to-weight ratios, and engineering smoother, more efficient clipping, we didn’t just improve the carabiner—we optimized it from the ground up. The result? A new generation of carabiners that are stronger, lighter, and more intuitive than ever before. Because at Black Diamond, we don’t just innovate—we redefine.
- GearLock
- PinLock
-KeyWire
GEARLOCK - RETHINKING THE THREE STAGE LOCKER
The BD Magnetron biners have been loved by climbers but have drifted into negative margins at retail prices that the consumer will bear. Manufacturing complications and associated labor costs have also led to the death of this product. With the exclusion of the magnetron in coming years Black Diamond was launched into creating the industries new three stage locker. Understanding the basic needs of a three stage locking biner, we embarked in a research effort to not only drive black diamonds form language into a new era, but maximize usability while reducing cost creating a favorable product for user and company.
Est volume annually - 20,000 units
MSRP - $25
Form - Precise Transition / Faceted
Detail - Textured Detail
CMF - Intentional Attraction
THINKING OF SYSTEMS DESIGN
When designing, its easy to forget that the sum of parts is greater than a single piece. With that thought process, I was able to identify key areas of development that don't make marginal gains to cost. Taking a chapter from Steve Jobs and Apple's design team - we created a sub system for 90% of the assembly that saved valuable assembly time for factories and reduced cost by over 50%. With small parts and very precise machining, the sub system was created as a cartridge that is inserted into the gate of the biner. That cartridge locks into the gate, the now finished gate is riveted to the body and assembly is done. This process is now being investigated as a patented system for the assembly of new carabiners.
PINLOCK - THE WORLDS LIGHTEST LOCKING BINER
When we set out to create the world’s lightest locking carabiner, we knew the answer wasn’t adding—it was taking away. Every gram, every fraction of a millimeter was scrutinized, refined, and pushed to the absolute limit. By stripping away excess, fine-tuning tolerances, and leveraging cutting-edge materials, we didn’t just shave weight—we redefined what a locking carabiner could be. The result is a biner that’s impossibly light, yet uncompromisingly strong, proving that sometimes, less truly is more.
KEYWIRE - NEW PROCESSES : NEW OPPORTUNITIES
Metal Injection Molding (MIM) is revolutionizing the way we design and manufacture carabiners. By blending fine metal powders with a binder, shaping them through injection molding, and then sintering them into solid metal, MIM allows for the creation of complex geometries that traditional forging or machining simply can’t achieve. Beyond shape, this process also enables the development of entirely new metal compositions, fine-tuning strength, weight, and durability in ways never before possible. With MIM, we’re no longer bound by conventional manufacturing limits—we’re unlocking the potential for carabiners that are lighter, stronger, and more efficient than anything ever made.
