Version A	Version B

Overview

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Version A
(#2929, 3632)

Front View: Closed	Rear View: Closed
Front View: Open for Rigging	Rear View: Open for Rigging

Technical Details

I acquired these ascender from Artyom Babin (Артём Бабин), the right in 2019 and the left in 2024.

This version is 195 mm. tall, 90 mm. wide, 29 mm. thick, and weighs 238 g.

The shell is a tall irregular shaped stamping made from 3.9 mm. aluminum alloy sheet metal. A 17 mm. wide rope channel is formed in the upper portion of one side and a smaller cam channel lies opposite the first. A hole drilled through both sides of the cam channel accepts a semitubular rivet which enters from the front and is expanded in the rear. The rivet is centered 53 mm. from the inside of the rope channel. The cam, cam spring and a spacing washer are mounted on this rivet. The handle below the cam has a hand grip molded into place. The handle a "rubbery" feel. The hand grip has a small index finger support. A 14.9 mm. sling attachment hole is punched below the handle opening. A 13.3 by 17.8 mm. oval hole through both sides of the rope channel provides an attachment point just above the cam. There is a stamped cam stop.

The cam is a plated skeletonized steel casting. The cam radius increases from 36 to 53 mm. over an angle of 38°, giving a 30° cam angle. The cam has number of small conical teeth. The teeth have their axes sloping downward. The tooth pattern is (3)(1S1)^4(2S2)(3.2.4.3) where the S stands for a single slot.

A painted, spring-loaded, manual safety tab is riveted to the cam. The normal action of the spring holds the safety against the cam. When the cam is opened, the shell interferes with the safety bar, thus preventing opening the cam. If the safety bar is moved away from the cam (opposing the spring), it will clear the shell and the cam will open. At full open the safety can be released and the spring will hold the safety against the back of the shell. This provides a means of locking the cam open.

The only markings ar a logo molded into the handgrip.

Comments

There are some minor casting flaws in the top row of teeth, but the remaining teeth are well-formed and sharp.

The cam safety is unusual, but as effective and as functionally unnecessary as traditional designs.

The shell is painted. In general, I dislike paint in places where it will wear off onto my ropes.

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Version B
(#2934)

Front View: Closed	Rear View: Closed
Front View: Open for Rigging	Rear View: Open for Rigging

Technical Details

Artyom Babin (Артём Бабин) donated this ascender to me in 2019.

This version is 195 mm. tall, 89 mm. wide, 29 mm. thick, and weighs 228 g.

The description and markings are the same as for Version A.

Comments

Артём donated this ascender so that I would have a pair, but the cam stop is different than the one on Version A. Version B has a more traditional stamped cam stop. The paint on the frame is different as well, giving this version a mottled, textured appearance.

I do not know which version is earlier and which followed later.

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