Start with How Often the Joint Is Opened
If the connection is made and broken many times a day, you want a spring or trigger gate that works one handed. If it is set up once and left, a screw closed quick link is safer because nothing can be knocked open.
Then Ask Whether the Load Rotates
Anything on the end of a rope, a lead or a lanyard will twist. If the fitting cannot turn, that twist goes into the rope and eventually jams the assembly. That is when you specify a swivel snap rather than a fixed one.
Spring Snap Hooks
The general purpose choice. Fast to operate, available from 4 mm to 20 mm here, and available with a screw lock nut or an eyelet where the gate has to stay closed.
Swivel Snap Hooks
Bolt snaps, trigger snaps and double ended clips. Standard on dog leads, luggage straps, lanyards and any rope end that turns under use.
Quick Links
Screw gate connectors for semi permanent joins in chain and rope. Oval for in line work, delta shaped where three legs meet and need to stay apart.
Shackles
Where the connection is structural and gets pinned rather than clipped. Bow shackles for multi direction loading, D and long D for straight line pull.
Finally Choose the Material
316 stainless for salt exposure, 304 for general use, aluminium where weight and colour matter and nothing structural depends on it, carbon steel with a protective finish where price leads.
