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Possibly influenced by the "curved cam interface" on the Rock Exotica Rescucender, Gibbs Products tried several ideas for modifying the Gibbs Ascender. This is the first prototype idea. Two holes were drilled into the shell, and steel roll pins were inserted. Although the idea works well, the ends of the roll pins protruding from the curved area of the frame certainly didn't give the ascender a finished look.
Less obvious from the photo is that this is a 5/8-in (internal width) ascender instead of a 1/2-in like a normal Gibbs. Although I don't have any use for the extra size, at least it isn't as absurd as the 3/4" Gibbs are.
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This is the design that Gibbs put into production. Two dimples are stamped into the shell. This is a clean, professional-looking solution that works well, although I'm not sure it was ever necessary. This ascender also has the new forged cam, thankfully I acquired mine before the goo era.
The Gibbs #2 was later re-numbered as the #3. Gibbs #2 Version B is a smaller ascender so it does not belong on this page.
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Model #2SS has a stainless steel shell. For general use, this merely adds weight without any providing any other real advantage. The "bigger-is-better" crowd may like it because it is stronger when used in a testing machine, but when was the last time any Gibbs broke from overloading? I wasn't aware that it was a problem.
The cam is forged, undoubtedly increasing the strength. At least this doesn't add significant weight. More puzzling is the "goo" coating. For use as an ascender, this is totally absurd, all that happens is that the goo eventually rubs off. If you don't like it, a little time with a penknife gets rid of it all. Supposedly the goo helps the cam slip if you abuse the ascender by dropping loads on it. I don't do that so I don't care.
The quick-release pin is also stainless steel. Apparently Gibbs couldn't get the proper length pin, because this one is about 4 mm. too long (the stainless shell is thinner than the aluminum one).
The shell is stamped "NOT FOR SELF BELAY." Duh, no kidding. Maybe this is because the old Gibbs literature implied exactly the opposite. There are also arrows with the word "UP." If the ascender is used in a hauling system (about the only time the goo makes any sense), then the arrows should point down. Of course, if you do that, they are labeled "dn." The labeling is ambiguous enough to be worthless.
The Gibbs #2SS was later re-numbered as the #3SS.
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I acquired my Gibbs #3, Version A from William Deaton on eBay in 2009.
Version A is 104 mm. tall, 90 mm. wide, 72 mm. thick, and weighs 311 g. The shell is made from 3.1 mm aluminum sheet, and does not have dimples. I am not sure how the cam was made, perhaps it was milled from 2024-T6 aluminum plate, but it shows parting marks as if it were forged. The QR pin is 12.4 mm in diameter. The cam is spring-loaded with a wire spring that sits in a plastic housing. A tear-drop metal piece riveted to the spring housing holds a cable keeper for the QR pin.
Each side of the shell is stamped with an arrow, "UP," and "Gibbs." The Cam is screened with "5/8 CAM NC," C/F, "HT34946A," "2024-T6," and "CF" and "199" inside a circle. The QR pin is stamped "AVIBANK," "PUSH," and "BLS8B12SL5A6."
This is a nicely-made Gibbs, but a bit too large for practical caving or climbing use.
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