Rock Exotica Pirate ORCA-Lock

Belay ‘biner with unique lock for easy operation

Rock Exotica’s Pirate ORCA-Lock is a unique auto-locking carabiner ideal for belaying or rappelling, with an improved, patented keylock design. The Pirate’s large, rounded cross-section provides a smooth feed and catch for belaying, and a smooth ride down on rappel. Made in USA.
ORCA is a unique autolock sleeve/gate that can be set in the unlocked position. When you open the gate it is just like opening a non-locker, but the act of opening the gate “triggers” it and when the gate closes it will autolock just like a regular autolocking carabiner.
How it works: The bottom of the sleeve has a special recess for the rivet head so that when the sleeve is rotated open (with the gate closed) it will be held in the open position. When the gate is opened far enough, the sleeve hits the frame and is pushed up a little so that it is no longer held open by the rivet head. It rotates a little bit so that it is now acting like a regular autolock and when the gate is closed it will lock. There are several subtle features in the ORCA to accommodate its unique action, for example it has an asymmetrical frame nose opening due to the height change between being locked and unlocked (confusing to read about, but you can see the rationale if you closely watch it operate). Can you use it like a regular autolocker? Yes, if you don’t set it to the unlocked position you can just open it like a regular autolock (lift up, twist and open) and when you let the gate close it will autolock. However, you’ll probably seldom do this because having it unlocked when not in use is a tremendous convenience. Can you close the gate without having it lock? Yes, if you close the gate while holding the sleeve so it can’t rotate (as opposed to just letting it go) it will not lock.

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including nickel acetate, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to: www.p65warnings.ca.gov