Black Diamond Hotforge Quickdraw 12cm

Curated from 55 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: May 15, 2024

Black Diamond Hotforge Quickdraw 12cm

Brand: Black Diamond
Price: $19
Snoop Score:
7.6
Sentiment
8.0
Popularity
9.4
Technical
7.1

Snoop's Take

The Black Diamond Equipment LTD Unisex Hotforge Quickdraw 12cm is a versatile climbing accessory designed for both recreational and serious climbers. This quickdraw features a straight gate HotForge carabiner on top and a bent gate HotForge on the bottom, providing reliability and ease of use during climbs. Feedback from users highlights its durability and smooth operation, with one climber stating, "they're not the world's lightest draws, but they're super durable, and really easy to clip." Many appreciate the ease of cleaning when lowering off steep routes, thanks to the keylock design. However, some users have experienced issues with nose hooking, indicating a need for caution during use. Overall, the Black Diamond Hotforge Quickdraw is recommended for climbers looking for reliable and durable quickdraws, as the positive feedback outweighs the concerns raised by a few users.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Quickdraws

they're not the world's lightest draws, but they're super durable, and really easy to clip.

Positive Feedback

I've had a few bad experiences with them getting nose hooked when I really needed them to come off.

Negative Feedback
Product
7.6
Black Diamond Hotforge Quickdraw 12cm
Sport Climbing
7 / 10
Trad Climbing
6 / 10
Gym and Indoor Climbing
7 / 10
Multi-Pitch & Alpine
5 / 10
See how this compares to all Quickdraws

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Durable and easy to clip
they're not the world's lightest draws, but they're super durable, and really easy to clip.
Smooth gate operation
I think the gate is smoother on the Djinns but that could be totally subjective.
Easy to clean while lowering off steep routes
keylock on bolt side for easier cleaning. Nose hook on rope side for lower chance of accidental un-clipping.
Durable and reliable for climbing
Help/review with buying quick draws Hi everyone thanks to u/ominoregg and the bananafingers deal post, i'm looking into the Black Diamond HotWire Quickdraws and i was wondering what peoples views were on them?
Lightweight and easy to clip
Honestly, they're my favorite to use.

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Some issues with nose hooking
I've had a few bad experiences with them getting nose hooked when I really needed them to come off.

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Product NameImagePriceScoreCompareSee DetailsBuy Now
CAMP Orbit Mixed Express KS Quickdraw 6 PackCAMP Orbit Mixed Express KS Quickdraw 6 Pack$94
8.0
DetailsBuy
Black Diamond Litewire QuickdrawBlack Diamond Litewire Quickdraw$19
7.9
DetailsBuy
Mammut Crag Keylock Indicator 6-Pack QuickdrawsMammut Crag Keylock Indicator 6-Pack Quickdraws$99
7.7
DetailsBuy
Black Diamond Hotforge Quickdraw 12cmBlack Diamond Hotforge Quickdraw 12cm$19
7.6
DetailsBuy
Mad Rock Concorde Express Quickdraw - 6 PackMad Rock Concorde Express Quickdraw - 6 Pack$79
7.3
DetailsBuy
Black Diamond Hotwire Quickpack 12CmBlack Diamond Hotwire Quickpack 12Cm$94
7.1
DetailsBuy
Black Diamond Miniwire Alpine Quickdraw 3 PackBlack Diamond Miniwire Alpine Quickdraw 3 Pack$74
7.1
DetailsBuy
C.A.M.P. Alpine Express Dyneema Quickdraw 60cm 4 PackC.A.M.P. Alpine Express Dyneema Quickdraw 60cm 4 Pack$99
7.1
DetailsBuy
BLACK DIAMOND Oz Quickpack 6-Pack Rock Climbing QuickdrawsBLACK DIAMOND Oz Quickpack 6-Pack Rock Climbing Quickdraws$89
6.9
DetailsBuy
Fusion Climb Quickdraw Set with Wire Gate Carabiner, 6-PackFusion Climb Quickdraw Set with Wire Gate Carabiner, 6-Pack$71
6.8
DetailsBuy
Petzl DJINN AXESS QuickdrawPetzl DJINN AXESS Quickdraw$20
6.8
DetailsBuy
KAILAS Stick Clip Up Rock Climbing QuickdrawsKAILAS Stick Clip Up Rock Climbing Quickdraws$63
6.5
DetailsBuy
CAMP Orbit Wire Express KS Quickdraw 6 PackCAMP Orbit Wire Express KS Quickdraw 6 Pack$88
6.4
DetailsBuy
DMM Alpha Sport Quickdraw - Titanium/Red 18cmDMM Alpha Sport Quickdraw - Titanium/Red 18cm$30
5.1
DetailsBuy
TRANGO Trango Reaction Quickdraws - 6 PackTRANGO Trango Reaction Quickdraws - 6 Pack$129
4.7
DetailsBuy
Black Diamond Hotforge Hybrid QuickdrawBlack Diamond Hotforge Hybrid Quickdraw$18
3.2
DetailsBuy
Fusion Climb Tactical Military Rescue Quickdraw SetFusion Climb Tactical Military Rescue Quickdraw Set$75
3.2
DetailsBuy
Black Diamond Equipment Hotforge Hybrid QuickdrawBlack Diamond Equipment Hotforge Hybrid Quickdraw$19
2.9
DetailsBuy
Black Diamond Hotforge Hybrid QuickdrawBlack Diamond Hotforge Hybrid Quickdraw$19
1.0
DetailsBuy

Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
Preference for different types of quickdraws
Opinions on sport specific quickdraws. As someone who only sport climbs and boulders, is it worth investing in some sport specific quickdraws such as BD Freewire, or just using all round draws?
Purchase the draws you like.
Keynose are worth the money. The rest is just style.
thanks! I was also eyeing up the Spirits as well but I don't know if he'd prefer the bent or straight gates
Discussion on the orientation of quickdraws
With the gates facing the same direction, if you pay attention to which side of the bolt you are climbing on, you can place the draw so that only the spines of the biners will be against the rock.
Preference for solid gate vs wiregate
I prefer solid gate because they feel like the open smoother to me, but it really doesn’t matter.
Preference for keylock biners
Keylock, Keylock, Keylock.
Ended up going with the all keylock set and this just reaffirmed my decision so thanks!

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.
Discussion about replacing webbing on quickdraws
I'm fairly new to climbing, but I got a set of older BD quickdraws from a friend.
People tend to use thicker dogbones for sport as they quite often end up pulling on them when redpointing routes, thin and light ones for trad as the gear is less likely to be used to pull on.
Only use slings for alpine/extendable quickdraws.
If it was used for 5 years straight or kept in the car for 5 years, then yes. You would want to replace them.
Discussion about replacing carabiners on quickdraws
Can you put different carabiners in a quickdraw (aka swap them out for new ones)?
you can replace the carabiners on a quickdraw usually without issue, unless the rubber band that secures the rope side biner is too tight for the spine of the new biner to fit through.

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
General advice on choosing quickdraws
Quickdraw brand recommendation Hey guys! I am going to start outdoor climbing soon.
Any major brand is fine and there isn't any real difference.
There are actually 0 make or break features on QDs, only preference.
Choose a good brand. Thicker dogbone is better for grabbing = for sport climbing.
Discussion on pricing of quickdraws
They just feel cheap for some reason.
Preference for pre-hung quickdraws
I prefer my draws already hung.
Discussion about different quickdraw types for specific climbing situations
True but nobody takes big fat nylon quickdraws like the one described here ice climbing :)
no. Alpine draws have less of a use for ice climbing because usually your lines are straighter and you usually climb with double ropes.
Discussion on price differences and their impact on performance
What are the main things to be looking at when buying them, and how much of a difference the extra 15 € makes?
Preferences for different types of biners based on climbing scenarios
One thing other people haven't mentioned is the angle of the nose on the biner.
General advice on timing for sales on quickdraws
There are always sales going on, like 20% off here and there, but when are the "end of the season" sales?
If anyone is on a tighter budget and is willing to wait for a sale on some cheap but solid quickdraws, every so often on amazon The Gear Coop puts a 5-pack of camp wire gate quickdraws on sale
just pickup the black diamond set that is on closeout now. 12 draws for like 100.
Personal preferences for quickdraw brands and types
I make sure all of my draws have key lock instead, that provides the same function as the hood wire.
Very comparable to the spirits and have a hooded wire gate on the rope-end biner for cleaning.
They are cheaper and pretty much the same thing.
Discussion about comparing quickdraws
really helpful website.
Comparison with other brands' quickdraws
theyre significantly cheaper at the sale price, but their shape is slightly different then the bd biners

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
Advice on safety using quickdraws
Bought some Black Diamond LiteWire quickdraws, what is the manual trying to say here?
Static gear - as for quickdraws - must never be used with fall factor 1 or 2.
Maybe don't clip the quickdraw from the bolt directly to the harness because if you fall it will break
Quick draws use short dynama/nylon slings that have no stretch in them.

You May Also Like

Explore more Categories
Harnesses
Top Climbing and Safety Harnesses for Outdoor and Work Use
Top Climbing and Safety Harnesses for Outdoor and Work Use
Slacklines
Top Slacklines for Balance and Outdoor Fun
Top Slacklines for Balance and Outdoor Fun
Pulleys
Best Climbing Pulleys for Outdoor Rigging
Best Climbing Pulleys for Outdoor Rigging