| "Load bearing" carabiners are commonly used in both | | | | effectively remove this coat exposing the bright silver |
| the sailing and rock climbing industries. These "real" | | | | color of the aluminum below. The process of coating |
| carabiners are made from aluminum rod or forged | | | | carbabiners with color is known as "anodization". In |
| steel shaped around a spring loaded gate. Traditionally | | | | addition to applying color, anodizing the aluminum |
| made in both D and oval shapes, today carabiners can | | | | surface also protects it from abrasion and wear. This |
| be found in a variety of sizes and basic shapes. Their | | | | process known as "laser engraving" now allowed for |
| functionality stems from the gate mechanism which | | | | the direct customization of the carabiner clips with |
| opens with pressure and springs closed when | | | | names, logos and messages. Laser engraving offers |
| released allowing carabiners to hold and be attached | | | | several advantages over custom printed labels; more |
| to various objects. | | | | horizontal space for text, less expensive than the |
| This article is concerned not with the load bearing | | | | more labor intensive printing and stitching labels onto |
| variety of carabiners, but with the much smaller | | | | nylon webbing and the marks don't rub or scratch off. |
| "replica" or "promotional" carabiners used primarily as | | | | Although, due to the height of its printable surface area |
| keychains. Promotional carabiners are about 1/3 the | | | | (0.50") the label offered more possibilities for the |
| size of "real" carabiners and are no load bearing and | | | | reproduction of logos compared to the narrow |
| not for climbing. They function in a similar way to their | | | | engraving area on a large D carabiner (0.25"). Other |
| load bearing cousins. By way of the spring loaded gate | | | | customization methods, such as, "pad printing" involving |
| they can be easily clipped to most straps and loops | | | | ink being deposited onto the metal surface was being |
| creating a very convenient way to carry keys as well | | | | performed as well. The advantage of pad printing is |
| as other small objects. This "clipping" function along | | | | that now the imprints can appear in color. The down |
| with the ability to customize them with a name, logo or | | | | side of this method is that the imprints do not hold up |
| message is why carabiner keychains have sky | | | | well and are subject to being scratched and worn off |
| rocketed to the top of the big hit promotional products | | | | from constant handling as well as by keys rubbing |
| chart. | | | | against it. Pad printing is still in use today for |
| The carabiner keychain craze started with the | | | | customizing carabiners, but laser engraving is by far |
| introduction of the large D replica measuring approx. | | | | the more popular and desired marking method. |
| 3.0" x 1.5". Initially it was introduced in black with a silver | | | | By the late 90's custom laser engraved and imprinted |
| gate. Additional colors would come later. These | | | | carabiners with straps and labels were being seen |
| carabiners were typically sold in outdoor retail stores | | | | everywhere, from student backpacks to business brief |
| as accessories and started to get some notice from | | | | case handles. During this time custom shape |
| rock climbers. They proudly displayed these replica | | | | carabiners started to appear in the marketplace. |
| carabiners clipped to their belt loops and back packs | | | | These carabiners with the same spring loaded gate as |
| identifying themselves as climbers as well as for the | | | | the standard large D carabiner keychain were being |
| dedication to their sport. | | | | manufactured in China in very simple familiar shapes |
| The first use of carabiner keychains as a marketing | | | | (I.e. dog bones, footballs, fish, circles, hearts etc.). These |
| tool began in the early 90's when a prominent | | | | custom shapes appealed to various businesses, |
| company displayed them in their promotional products | | | | groups and organizations associated with the new |
| catalog in black with a colored nylon strap and custom | | | | shapes as new marketing tools. For example, canine |
| imprinted label. The next step would dramatically | | | | and animal related groups for the dog bone, marine |
| increase the popularity of carabiner keychains | | | | and fishing organizations for the fish shape etc. Today, |
| world-wide. In 1995 RMG Accessory Gear a small | | | | you can find carabiners in abundance in many diverse |
| promotional products company in Connecticut | | | | shapes from circles, squares and diamonds to daisies, |
| developed carabiner keychains for the college market. | | | | butterflies and sea turtles. |
| They introduced carabiner keychains at a college store | | | | Carabiners have more recently evolved past the |
| tradeshow with custom college logos printed on a | | | | keychain being its primary use. Overseas companies |
| white polyester label which was stitched onto a piece | | | | are now producing carabiners with built in functions that |
| of nylon webbing attached to the carabiner. The | | | | are found to be useful on a daily basis. From led |
| carabiners were available not only in black, but a | | | | flashlights, whistles, and watches to pens, water bottle |
| variety of clip/strap color combinations. The product | | | | holders, utility knives, compasses and radios. The most |
| was a big hit on college campuses. At the same time | | | | popular of these new "multi-functional" carabiner |
| both small and large companies were taking notice and | | | | keychains is by far the carabiner flashlights featuring a |
| would soon be using custom imprinted carabiner | | | | twist on-off bright led light. The latest version of the |
| keychains as very effective marketing tools. They | | | | carabiner flashlight incorporates a very loud safety |
| were effective because people were actually using | | | | whistle for additional functionality. For examples of |
| them and not throwing them out as was the course | | | | these and other carabiner styles and configurations |
| for the many nonsense promotional products at the | | | | visit |
| time. | | | | Even as carabiner keychains continue to evolve and |
| At this point the only imprint appeared on the label; the | | | | morph into new shapes and functions it's still the very |
| clips were blank solid colors. The next innovation would | | | | basic standard large D carabiner keychain with a |
| send carabiner keychains into the mainstream | | | | custom laser engraved name, logo or message that's |
| promotional products market. Around 1995 some | | | | sits on top of the promotional carabiner roost. From its |
| companies were experimenting with using lasers to | | | | humble beginnings in the early 90's to now, the |
| apply marks directly onto the carabiner surface. Since | | | | carabiner keychain in all its permutations has proven to |
| the surface color was just a "coating" the laser could | | | | be a big hit promotional item. |