| Climbing gear is expensive. There are no two ways | | | | and feel ok and be very close to being dangerous. If |
| about it. Most of it is very good value when you | | | | you know the person that you are buying the rope |
| consider the amount of testing and quality control | | | | from then it is slightly different. If you trust them |
| that goes into making it. Each piece of kit is designed | | | | and they can tell you the accurate history of a rope |
| and tested to forces which are far above what we | | | | then there is nothing wrong with buying it from them. |
| would ever exert on it in a fall. You are paying for | | | | Harnesses are very similar to ropes in that you |
| the knowledge that no matter what you do to it, | | | | shouldn't buy from anyone you don't know. Very |
| your gear won't fail. That said, it is still a lot of money | | | | small abrasions or lacerations in the webbing can |
| and if you spend your life climbing it is unlikely that | | | | make a harness very dangerous indeed. These |
| you have lots of it going spare. | | | | lacerations can be very hard to spot but are very |
| One option that climbers often look at is buying | | | | easily caused by crampons, gear etc. Climbing |
| second hand gear. This is a bit of a grey area and | | | | hardware is a huge category with many different |
| one which is never clear cut. I hope that this article | | | | types. Usually I would say that you can see how |
| might make it a little clearer. Some gear is perfectly | | | | much use a karabiner or screw-gate has had by |
| ok to pass between climbers. Clothing, bouldering | | | | looking at it. If it looks ok then it is likely to be fine. |
| mats, chalk-bags etc are all fine to pass on as they | | | | These pieces of gear are manufactured to such high |
| won't cause a serious accident if the show a few | | | | standards that they take a lot of abuse and have a |
| signs of wear and tear. The items that you should | | | | very long life. |
| show serious caution before buying from someone | | | | When you are buying kit it is very important to |
| you don't know are harnesses, ropes and climbing | | | | remember that you are going to trust this piece of |
| hardware. | | | | gear with your life. If it fails then you could die. If |
| For ropes I would say that there is never a time | | | | you bear this in mind when looking at buying second |
| when it is ok to buy one second hand from someone | | | | hand gear then you will always be over cautious, this |
| you don't know. There is no way of telling just by | | | | is the best way to be. Never buy a piece of gear if |
| looking at a rope whether it has taken the force of | | | | you are even a little unsure of its integrity. It really |
| 10 or even 100 big falls. You can usually tell when a | | | | isn't worth saving that little bit of money of one day |
| rope is completely shot as the core will be broken | | | | it could cost you your life, or someone else's. |
| and the sheath will feel hollow. A rope can still look | | | | |