Salewa Sticht Plate with spring belay device - old school!

[@packratmatt]

Cool to see the older tools, I still have my plate.

[@kevinjensen3056]

Only abseiled once and it would have been about 1980 or 1981. It was great fun. Under instruction, we abseiled off a bridge, into a gorge. I always remember the device, which until now, I thought was a "stitch" plate. Fun memories.

[@CheyenneWills]

The trick to using a stitch plate without the spring is to use your non-belay hand to tilt the plate slightly. If you notice the way the plate lays against the biner when there is weight on the rope, the climber side of the plate will be titled up a little bit. You can push that side "down" a little and the rope will run through the plate a little easier. With a little practice, you can control how fast the rope passes through and avoid jerking the rope. --- Just be careful not to get your fingers caught in the device, etc.. again a little practice :) Also .. the keeper cord should be kept fairly short, so that the plate doesn't get more then say 3 or 4 inches away from the biner.

[@RossPotts]

I don’t have a Salewa, but sticht plate was my first belay device. Still have it! Also, the installed cord (which has since been worn) allowed about 4 inches of up/down travel

[@mattdobson123]

Nice!! it was cool to see one of the older/original belay devices and use it. Thanks for watching and the comment!

[@Evanturar]

It’s interesting to read the comments in this thread, I suspect by many young people who don’t have the benefit of the experience. This plate was a welcome improvement after countless years of butt/hip belaying which worked great catching top-rope as well as big flyers by beginner and elite climbers. I still have mine and wouldn’t hesitate to trust it completely. Really the new devices are so much more convenient and smooth but the older tools and methods have long track records and work just fine. Butt belays trash your clothes but could really save your life if you happened to drop your modern device. It’s worth practicing and becoming competent at different techniques. Same for a dulfersitz rappel which is super undesirable but could also save you in a pinch. Just thoughts.

[@mattdobson123]

for sure, thanks for the input & knowledge!

[@dicrurusparadiseus]

Very interesting. Did this precede the belay 8?

[@CheyenneWills]

Yes

[@yvespigeon3021]

I'm trying to get one... Not found yet...

[@mattdobson123]

yeah, they're hard to come by! I keep an eye on ebay and local marketplace.. good luck!

[@tomtom4405]

No, you don't know why the hole and string is essential because you've not used it in real life 😊 When you belay up your second, the climber is below you, and the plate keeps sliding down the rope as you try to take up slack, it's really annoying unless you have the string.

[@abdullahmoosakutty8574]

sir, are you on Instagram.... Can i discuss the. Matter regarding (BACS)

[@wojciechwielogorski636]

You had yours hands way to close to plate. Brake hand should be around your hips. My friend skin jammed in to plate, ripping off some of the skin. To easier give slack you take up brake rope parallel to climber rope.

[@mattdobson123]

great feedback, thanks for watching - will have to try that next time we mess with it

[@wojciechwielogorski636]

@@mattdobson123 those plates are "old school". Today we have better solution. You should consider buying something newer.

[@mattdobson123]

@@wojciechwielogorski636 for sure! I have various devices, my favorite lately is the BD pilot - just can’t do a double line rappel (but that’s what the figure 8 is for!!) thanks again

[@wojciechwielogorski636]

@@mattdobson123 Do you tried edelrid - Giga Jul? or Climbing Technology - Alpin UP? Those have assist braking for double rope.