FAQs

GENERAL| PRODUCTS

CLIMB | SKI | MOUNTAIN

 

GENERAL

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Where can I buy Black Diamond Products?
You can purchase Black Diamond products at mountain sports retail stores. Here is where you will find a dealer near you.

Can I order directly from Black Diamond?
Black Diamond does not sell directly to consumers. Please see your sports retailer. Here is where you will find a dealer near you.

Does Black Diamond have an online store?
No, Black Diamond does not operate an online store. However, you can order online through the online stores of various Black Diamond retailers.

What do I do if I find myself with a defective Black Diamond product?
Please see the sports retailer where you bought the product. They will contact BD. If you have more questions on warranty and repairs, here is where we can help you.

I am a climber or skier and would like to be sponsored by Black Diamond. How should I proceed?
Black Diamond accepts a select number of athletes and projects per year into the BD sponsorship program. Our sponsorship activities are concentrated on climbing, alpinism, mountain sports and freeriding. We regret that we cannot accommodate other sports. If you want to apply to us to be sponsored, send an impressive application with your CV, photos and movies, and any media publications you've been mentioned in to:

Black Diamond Equipment AG
Sponsorship
Christoph Merian Ring 7
4153 Reinach
Switzerland
climb@blackdiamond.eu

How can I submit photos so they will be considered for publication in brochures and other marketing materials?
Here is where you will find Black Diamond's guidelines for photo submission.

How do I order a Black Diamond catalog and other promotional material?
For catalog enquiries and for posters and stickers, please send an e-mail with your address to climb@blackdiamond.eu

 

PRODUCTS

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General

How do I correctly care for my Black Diamond products? How do I store them properly?
You will find information on care, maintenance, storage and life span in the instructions that come with each product under the heading "Technical Data."

CLIMB

How long can I use my carabiners?
Here are our suggestions on what to look for when retiring aluminum carabiners:

1) Check for good gate action: The open-gate strength of carabiners is roughly 1/3 of the closed-gate strength. If a biner has a gate that rubs or sticks open, it should be cleaned and lubed. If this does not improve gate action, the biner should be retired. The same holds true for any gate locking mechanism.

2) Check for excessive wear: If you can feel that the rope-bearing surfaces of the biner are significantly worn (wearing off the anodization is normal after a few uses) the biner should be retired.

3) Check for deformation: If a biner has been loaded such that the body or nose has deformed-or the carabiner gate rivets have been bent (this usually results in poor gate action)-the biner should be retired.

4) Check for nicks or deep scratches: If a biner has nicks or deep gouges beyond the normal light scratching that occurs in use, it should be retired. Carabiners are more susceptible to surface damage near the nose hook or within an inch of the bending radius of the body.

5) Has the carabiner been exposed to extreme heat? If a biner has been exposed to "extreme heat" (i.e. a fire) it should be retired and destroyed due to possible negative effects to the heat treatment that the carabiner underwent when it was made.

6) Has the carabiner been exposed to harsh chemicals or excessive corrosion? If your carabiner has been exposed to aggressive chemicals (like battery acid, petroleum-based fuel, etc.) it's a good idea to retire the biner. Likewise, any corrosion beyond the normal thin grey/white oxidation layer that forms on exposed aluminum should be grounds for retirement, especially if it starts to affect gate action (see #1).

In closing: Keep in mind that only YOU know what your gear has been through. If your instincts tell you that the gear is dubious, retiring it is a good idea. Confidence in your equipment is not only key to climbing at your limit but helps you stay relaxed and having fun.

Can I have a new sling put onto my Camalot?
We regret that we cannot offer this service in Europe because we do not have the special device available. You can, however, send the Camalot to Black Diamond USA yourself.

What if I have dropped my ATC?
It's best to inspect dropped gear for dings and significant trauma. If only light scratching is visible, there is a good chance it is fit for usage. Remember, only you know what your gear has been through and if there is any doubt, it's best to retire the gear rather than take a risk.

Can I resharpen my ice screws? If yes, how?
Use wooden blocks in a bench-mounted vise. Get a small flat file (6" flat mill bastard) and a four inch "ignition file." It's a good idea to have another screw that's in prime condition for use as a reference.

Work on the worst tooth first. The outside round radius isn't super important, but make sure that it doesn't have any burrs.

The vertical part of the tooth should be free of burrs as well, but make sure to keep the bevelled edge intact and trending inward. This should be sharpened inward to crush and force the ice shavings inside the screw. Your goal is to restore the teeth to their original shape, with the tips in the same plane. Remove as little material as possible and avoid removing the radius in the corner. Touch up any burrs on the threads and pay particular attention to the starting thread. Finally, give the inside diameter a quick shot of WD-40. Always dry your screws with the protective caps removed and use the caps for transit.

Watch this video for more detail:

How long can I use my helmet?
How long do quickdraw slings last?
How long can I use my climbing harness?
With normal use and good care your gear will last about three years. It can last longer or shorter depending on how often and under what conditions it is used. The maximal life span is also called shelf life and refers to the life span of the product when it is unused and stored in a dry place. Black Diamond products may last up to ten years for plastic and fabric products, and unlimited for metal equipment. With normal use and good care, metal gear will last about three to ten years. The usual life of fabric products is two to five years. It can be longer or shorter depending on how often and under what conditions it is used.

Can BD via ferrata sets be used by children too?
Our via ferrata sets are generally designed for people who weigh 45 to 100 kg. For persons who weigh less than 45 and more than 100 kg, we recommend an additional partner belay. So far there are no special specifications for children!

Do I have to retire my climbing harness after a fall?
Generally the harness should be inspected after a big fall like we describe it for the ATC. In addition to that, the harness should be checked for burns, abrasions or cuts.

SKI

Can I have my skins re-glued?
Black Diamond skins come with a long lasting and very adhesive glue. Should re-glueing become necessary, we carry Gold Label Adhesive for do-it-yourself re-glueing of your skins. Black Diamond does not offer this service.

Can I heat and fit my inner ski boot liners myself at home in the oven?
If thermo moulding should be necessary, we strongly recommend that you bring the boots to a qualified dealer. Using an ordinary oven is a precarious undertaking that could lead to serious problems like wrinkles in the inner boot.

How do I mount telemark bindings correctly?
Where are the mounting templates and ski lengths?

Click here to download a mounting jig and mounting tips.
The template for the mounting jig must be printed on 100% zoom, to insure that the dimensions are correct.
Mounting:

1. Do not mount the toepiece directly on the ski without a riser plate. The riser plates are symmetrical and can be used left or right. Toepieces are NOT symmetrical but designed for left and right foot. Make sure you consider this when mounting. You can tell the left and right toepiece apart by the eye for the leash on the lateral part in the forward part of the binding. This eye is on the outside of the binding. The base plates are also NOT symmetrical but designed for left and right foot. They are marked L and R.
2. To get at the back mounting holes on the O1, use a flat screwdriver and carefully push back the spring loaded hook that holds the binding in ski mode.
3. The heel block is placed correctly when you measure the sole of your boot and use the diagram below to determine the distance between the back drill holes for the toe plate and the forward drill hole of the heel block.

How do I maintain the base of my skis?
Skis should be waxed and serviced regularly. Ski service includes: Clean the base, repair damage, file edges and wax. Your sports dealer can do this for you or you can do it if you have the necessary tools at home. Make sure you wax your skis before summer! Here is a video on ski care.

How-to Video: Prep Your Black Diamond Skis for the Off Season from Black Diamond Equipment on Vimeo.

 

MOUNTAIN

What is the difference between a B and a T rating for ice tools?
B (basic) rated ice tools are designed for less extreme use like glacier walking, use as a T-anchor, for ski mountaineering and for step cutting, etc. Tools with this rating have lower shaft strengths and the picks are not specially stress tested. Black Diamond offers the Venom, Raven Ultra, Raven, Raven with Grip, and Raven Pro with this rating. T (technical) rated tools are certified for extreme use, i.e. ice climbing, drytooling, and mixed climbing. Tools with this rating have stronger shafts and the picks undergo a special stress test. Black Diamond offers the Fusion, Cobra, Viper and Reactor ice tools with this rating.

It gets slightly more confusing because, over time, the ratings and requirements have slightly shifted, so now it is possible, and common, to buy an ice tool that has a T-rated shaft, but a B-rated pick as well as a tool with a B-rated shaft and a T-rated pick.

So what do all these ratings mean, and why are they different?

For simplicity's sake, consider that all tools have to go through the same series of tests to be certified:
* 3-point bend test on the shaft (to simulate rappelling off an ice tool as a dead-man)
* Strength of head/shaft interface in use direction
* Strength of head/shaft interface perpendicular to "use direction"
* Torque test of pick
The difference between a shaft or pick attaining a rating is that the T-requirements are higher, so in general a T component is more durable and stronger, and therefore heavier.

Can I change the LEDs in Black Diamond headlamps?
No. LED bulbs have no filament and are made of a super-strong resin, so the likelihood of them breaking or burning out is slim.

Can Black Diamond Gore-Tex gloves be washed?

1. Liner glove without leather patch :
- Machine wash warm under 30 degree.
- No fabric softener
- No Bleach
- No Iron
- Line dry with fingers up.

2. Liner glove with leather patch and fixed lining glove with leather :
- Hand wash
- No fabric softener
- No Bleach
- No Iron
- Line dry with fingers up

3. Gloves with removable liner
- Remove liner and hand wash separately.
- No fabric softener
- No Bleach
- No Iron
- Line dry with fingers up

4. Gore Tex Gloves without leather patch
- No fabric softener
- Machine wash warm under 30 degree
- Use mild detergent
- No bleach
- No iron
- Air dry with fingers up

5. Gore Tex Gloves with leather patch
- Hand wash
- No fabric softener
- No Bleach
- No Iron
- Line dry with fingers up