Front	Rear
Left	Right

Technical Details

I acquired this eight from Ural Sport in 2004.

The Ural-Alp (Урал АлЬп) Self-Braking Descender/Belay Device is made from two pieces of nickel-plated aluminum, screwed together. Mine is 130 mm. tall, 65 mm. wide, and 29 mm. thick. The rope hole is 33 mm. high and 41 mm. wide. The top center thickness is 28 mm. The shaft length and width are 44 mm. and 15 mm., respectively. The eye measures 16 mm. by 16 mm. My eight weighs 79 g.

One plate is stamped " "RUSSIA" and "URAL ALP," and the other is stamped "KOZLOV DESIGNS."

Comments

The two-plate design allows one to use the device as a normal figure eight, or to add an auto-stop capability by rigging the rope between the plates. In the latter configuration, the rappeller must hold the free end of the rope up to keep it from wedging between the plates. This can be tiring if the rope weight is heavy - which it shouldn't be for this class of device (no long rappels!). The original version did not have ears, but the designer quickly realized that adding small ears made for a better device, and created an eared Version B.

The screws do not support a significant load, and even if they fail, the rope will remain rigged and will hold the plates together.

The manufacturer provides an ultimate strength rating of 20 kN. The device is designed for 9 to 11 mm. rope.

The Ural-Alp Self-Braking Descender/Belay Device, Version A is lighter than most figure eights. The rope hole is shorter and narrower than normal, so it may provide too much friction on stiff or muddy ropes. The eye is too narrow to accept two full size locking carabiners.

Since the Ural-Alp Self-Braking Descender/Belay Device is made of thin plates, the edges may sharpen as they wear. Beware of this, and file them smooth if this should occur.