Hard shackles?

**barefoot** · 02-13-2020, 20:53

Soft shackles are popular for attaching various suspension parts, but does anyone use conventional stainless steel sailing-type shackles?
They're compact, strong, cheap, and not particularly heavy.
I typically suspend my hammock off a long double-whoopie-ridgeline (this one is separable into ridgeline and whoopsie slings, but they haven't always been). I use alpine butterfly loops to hang the hammock. I have generally used marlin spike toggles to attach my hammock suspension loops to the alpine butterfly loops, but wondered about using a shackle instead.
So I did.
It works just fine, and gives enough of a "key" to suspend an underquilt from as well.
And now that's how I store my hammock, with the whoopies and ridgeline attached. Can separate then when I need to, but usually don't.
Thoughts?

**old4hats** · 02-13-2020, 21:20

I have been using these for about five years on my every night indoor hammock and also on my stands out in the yard. I like their size and strength, plus you never worry about anything coming loose. As yet I have not used them out in the wilds.

**jeff-oh** · 02-13-2020, 22:35

Yep, no reason not use them.

**TominMN** · 02-14-2020, 08:23

That type of shackle is designed to be used for semi-permanent connections, as it seems you are doing. It's not a shackle that would be super easy to use in the backcountry where you want simple and fast connect/disconnect. Aside from the fiddle factor, it would be much too easy to lose the pin in the duff. Also, of course, the gram weenies would contest your statement about being "not particularly heavy"!

**OneClick** · 02-14-2020, 08:30

Originally Posted by TominMN

Also, of course, the gram weenies would contest your statement about being "not particularly heavy"!

I could see them putting it in a vice and taking the Dremel to it to remove some material.

**Brooklyn** · 02-14-2020, 14:22

Originally Posted by TominMN

That type of shackle is designed to be used for semi-permanent connections, as it seems you are doing. It's not a shackle that would be super easy to use in the backcountry where you want simple and fast connect/disconnect. Aside from the fiddle factor, it would be much too easy to lose the pin in the duff. Also, of course, the gram weenies would contest your statement about being "not particularly heavy"!

LOL. I recently got 5 carbon fiber stakes that weigh only 2 grams each. My brain would explode using those shackles. Only whiskey gets a pass for weight.

**TominMN** · 02-14-2020, 22:00

Originally Posted by Brooklyn

LOL. I recently got 5 carbon fiber stakes that weigh only 2 grams each. My brain would explode using those shackles. Only whiskey gets a pass for weight.

And maybe high-end chocolate... (That whiskey should probably be a single malt too!)

**Brooklyn** · 02-14-2020, 22:56

Originally Posted by TominMN

And maybe high-end chocolate... (That whiskey should probably be a single malt too!)

Everyone knows single malt is lightest.

**TominMN** · 02-14-2020, 23:07

Originally Posted by Brooklyn

Everyone knows single malt is lightest.

I just might opt for a "heavier" Islay...

**MikekiM** · 02-15-2020, 08:10

Originally Posted by Brooklyn

LOL. I recently got 5 carbon fiber stakes that weigh only 2 grams each. My brain would explode using those shackles. Only whiskey gets a pass for weight.

LOL on the whiskey!

I was using CF Ruta Locura stakes for a while.. liked then well enough until the metal tip came off of one deep in the ground. Didn't notice it gone until I walked away and there was little chance I could locate the spot to dig it up.