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Made of 7075-T6 aluminum alloy, the Super 8's flawless design makes for an incredibly strong, lightweight belay/rappel device. A super smooth ride, the Super 8 is great for handling any rope diameter. *Assorted colors.

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Black Diamond Super 8 Belay/Rappel Device

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Here's what others have to say...

5 5

Jon Klinginsmith

Member since 

I had always seen the figure 8 rappel devices, but I never had a chance to use one. A few months ago I decided to purchase Black Diamonds Super 8 and test it out, and now I am sold on them. This device provides such a smooth rappelling experience, and also creates an amazing amount of friction. I was a little surprised at how quickly the aluminum heated up, but that is only a minor problem. Overall, this will be my go to device in the future.

First 8...

One thing that might be really nice is to...

D Ray East

Member since 
Posted on

One thing that might be really nice is to show how a rope goes through a figure eight belay device. just a large photo of a figure 8 and then show the line coming down from the top of the rock going through and around the figure 8 and then out the bottom and showing the tag end going to the bottom of the rock.

Also the quick and easy way to hook into the figure 8 with a rope. show a single line starting at the top then the device bext to the line. then how you hook to your harness and the rope and the device to get them to all work together and the way it actually works and why. You might get some total beginner to give some thought to joining in. dray.

Dave Marcus

Member since 
Best Answer Responded on

It's not a good idea for a total beginner to learn how to use a figure-8 belay device via a diagram or photo. That sort of lesson should be hands-on with an experienced climber who can double check everything.

If anyone reading this is a novice climber and is considering purchasing a figure-8 as a first belay device, please, please, please, get someone to show you exactly how to use it. Take a lesson at a gym or via a local club. Safety is paramount.

Is this sold in a pk of 4qty

anthea

Member since 
Posted on

Is this sold in a pk of 4qty

Mitch

Member since 
Responded on

Hello Anthea, no this is for a single rappel device. The picture is to show the colors available.

4 5

Terry Burket

Member since 

Best device I've used for a single line descent.They instill confidence. Pic is of a first timer.

Figure 8
5 5

Jon Thompson

Member since 

Being military and using this frequently, i'd trust nothing better than a figure 8. Used it for a while and have com across nothing better for rappelling.

Nothing better
4 5

Shaun

Member since 
Groups:

I still use a Black Diamond Super 8 from time to time. It’s a good tool in your tool box to have. You can get enough friction by adding extra biners or rigging, ie vertaco. To undue a twist use your cows tail with a binner in-between both strands. I do think this is a good device for canyoning.

4 5

Jeff Guest

Member since 
Groups:

I bought one of these a few years ago to add to my collection of rappel devices for when I take people rappelling. The only complaint I have is that it gets hot pretty quick for aluminum. My really old KONG 8 hardly gets hot at all so I was a little disappointing in this 8, but over all it's a good little device.

If you are looking for a rappel device for canyoneering, stay away from 8's! They twist the rope and make it hard for the next person to rappel. I would recommend the Wild Country VC Pro II ATC for pretty much everything!

5 5

david nash

Member since 

once u have one... you will prolly never need another. i mostly sport and trad climb... I have used my 8 a couple times with no real issues. BD makes and excellent product that performs as expected.

3 5

Cory Guru

Member since 
Groups:

Handles repelling well, especially when it comes to heavier loads. These do tend to add twists to your rope and I wouldn't suggest as a general belay device- Good backup to an ATC!

4 5

Scott Anderson

Member since 

This is a great tool in a climber's quiver, read the instructions and know how to use it as there are multiple ways that it is used depending upon the application. It definately kinks and binds more than an ATC would.

5 5

Donald Schmit

Member since 

This is a great device in my opinion. I've always been happy with the performance off of these. I personally own two of these. One I keep with my climbing gear for rappels and the other I keep with my Ski Patrol pack for any rescues or self evacs from broken lifts. The Super 8 has always performed well when I need it to and you can't beat the price either for a backup device.I notice that some people are complaining that the device is too warm, too fast, not good for belaying, or kinks the rope. I personally am a bigger guy and don't particularly notice it being to fast but I also like to go fast anyways. For the other complaints, those are inherent to 8s so I don't know why they are complaining. If you didn't want it to get so warm or to be better for belaying you would have/should have gone with an actual belay device. The 8 works well for what it was designed to do.

Phil Maher

Member since 
Responded on

I always loved the self-evacuation drills. Used to rip down and freak out all the NSP folks who thought I was going to slam the ground, only to smoothly come in with my skis gently kissing the snow. Great control, good times, and my Super 8 never got too hot on some real long screamers with a doubled 8mm.

3 5

Brandon Smith

Member since 

BD's website say's the strength is 15kN. I would look into an 8 from Omega Pacific or BlueWater. OP's 8 is 35kN with a weight of 105g. I can sacrifice an 18g difference for 20kN of strength.

James Jenden

Member since 
Responded on

Yeah, you CAN sacrifice 18g for the extra strength, but there's really no point. The forces applied in rappeling are entirely static, and so you will never come close to putting 3,300lbs of force on your rappel device, let alone the 8,000lbs that it would take to break the OP. Both figure eights will serve you fine, regardless of strength.

4 5

Daniel Wilson

Member since 

This thing works great once you get used to it. If you're using one to rappel for the first time, be prepared for it to be a lot faster than rappelling through an ATC. Kinda surprised me the first time, which isn't always the best feeling when you're hanging off a 100ft cliff.
But now I love it.

5 5

Matt Miller

Member since 

These are by far my favorite figure 8's to use. The clip in hole just seems to be the perfect size for my carabiners unlike some that I have bought and just dont seem to fit right or you have to angle the biner just right to hook in.

4 5

Lyric Rosatti

Member since 

I'm all for tubular belay devices for rappeling, in fact, my figure 8 spends most of climbing days in my pack, and I never use it for belaying. That said, sometimes figure 8's are kinda... fun... If you know what you're doing and have a leather glove on, you can zip down a rope on an 8 in no time! Also really cool to impress people that have never used one. Also fun to do "SWAT" or inverted rappels with a figure 8.

4 5

jper11

Member since 

I have used this as a backup belay device and a rappel device. It works good for rappels, but it does not have great friction for a heavier climber.

4 5

devil8ball100182143

Member since 

Good for rap, durable, and I honestly prefer this a little bit more than an ATC for rap. Having sais that, I would not use one of these for belay, except as a back-up measure. For belay, I always go with an ATC or a Grigri, but that is just personal preference. I always have at least one of these whenever I hit the rocks.

4 5

disillusio804714

Member since 

some folks say that this fig 8 is slow... it's plenty fast if you're rappelling. I got down a 75 ft wall in NO time! maybe not the best tool for belay, but there are better belay devices out there.

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