Gravity Hook: Fishbones Grappling Hook Review

gravity hook review
January 8, 2016  
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Categories: Assorted Ramblings

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Gravity hook just sounds cool, like something one of the War Boys would kill someone with. If not that, perhaps something Reinhardt, Lighthammer or Chupa would have carried around. Turns out the reality of it is about as cool. Mad Duo

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I covered the original release of the prototype Gravity Hook back in March when the prototype was sent my way. Not long ago the final production version of the Gravity Hook grapnel arrived with some improvements. Here’s a look at those.

Gravity Hook

Gravity Hook Prototype on the right, Production on the left

Grunts: grapnel.

The Gravity Hook is a combination grappling hook, and gravity claw (here’s their promotional video). By removing the middle cross-bar the more-than-serviceable grappling hook can be quickly converted into a claw machine-like grabbing claw. The clever design allows you to swap between these two features in just moments.

The whole assembly weighs around 360g in its stainless steel configuration. A complete assembly includes three links, three “hammers”,  cross hook, and hardware, in bolts and self-locking nuts.

Gravity Hook

Gravity Hook Prototype on the left, Production on the right

The Upgrades

One production improvement is the notches cut into the throat of the hammer. These allow the cross hook to seat much more securely than in the prototype, where it was held in place solely via the notch cut into the top of the cross hooks.

When fitted, the cross hooks set in the jaws of the hammers, making the Gravity Hook as a quite effective grapple. The jaws are held in place and stopped from opening the by the twin o-rings which seat in a set of notches cut into the link pieces, and hold the jaws surprisingly tight. FishBones have suggested an aftermarket modification: drilling a hole in the middle of the hammer arms to fit a locking pin, for extra security. So far, I haven’t felt the need to do that.

Gravity Hook

Gravity Hook Prototype on the left, Production on the right

This design makes any pressure on the tines of the hook only pull it further closed. The production version has nicely rounded notches cut into the links, whereas the prototype is rather a bit rougher which makes it harder to remove the o-rings.

Gravity Hook

Gravity Hook Prototype on the top, Production on the bottom

Just what can the Gravity Hook do?

Besides picking some wanker up by his skull you mean?

Well, another backer of the Gravity Hooks asked, if they used it as an inflatable-boat anchor, how they would dislodge it should it hook onto something on the bottom? Another backer suggested it could be set up with a failable style link like this, where if you pull hard enough the top link breaks and lets you pull the anchor from the bottom. A second way would be to use 2 ropes; one attached to the shackle, and the other looped through the claw to act as an emergency release in case the hook snags.

Here’s me testing the grappling hook

Here’s me testing the claw feature on a variety of dropped gear.

You might ask, “what makes it high performance?” Well, check out its features:

  • It can be used either as a 2 or 4 pronged grappling hook.
  • In the claw mode it “bites” objects that might slip out of a grapnel.
  • Compact enough to be stowed on a backpack strap, by clamping the jaws over the strap and feeding the tail end through a loop
  • Can be dismantled into its base components for more compact storage.
  • It’s available in stainless steel, titanium or even nonmetallic Derlin.

There are also two options for the cross hooks. You can get the classic solid hook as well as a version with cut-aways. The cutaways both lighten the cross hook and make it a gear tie, not unlike the FishBones and Piranha gear ties these guys produced.

Gravity Hook

Gravity Hook standard crossbar on the top, Batarang gear tie cross hook on the bottom

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You have a very cool tool in the Gravity Hook, but what are its limits? Well, the Gravity Hook was specifically designed for retrieving. However, it has not been tested or certified to bear human weight. The makers strongly state that you should never use it in a situation where it’s failure or dislodging might cause bodily harm or property damage. In a pinch though, it can certainly take a fairly hefty load.

Using the Gravity Hook as a bogged truck rescue tool

How do you get the Gravity Hook to release something whilst under tension?

Here’s their testing underwater!

As well as being a really useful dropped-gear and treasure retrieving claw, and a sturdy and rugged grapple, the Gravity hook is also a really impressive piece of engineering. I really appreciate its design and functionality. I’ve got a small CountyComm grapple, which is billed as a trip-wire clearer. But for bigger jobs, when you want to snag, yank and retrieve gear or haul something, you would do well with a FishBones Gravity hook: learn more (or buy one) right here.

Better yet, the guys at FishBones have just launched a NEW project, the Gravity Hook XS, a pocket-sized version, in just two-pronged format, on Kickstarter. You should totally go check it out and add some grabby, grapply goodness to your loadout.

Fishbones Gravity Hook Review Breach Bang Clear

Apocalypse Josh

Apocalypse Josh

About the Author

Josh Orth is a second generation expat currently dwelling in the arguably civilized outskirts of Melbourne, Australia. He's lived in deserts, jungles and urban sprawls around the world and traveled/adventured into assorted inhospitable places around the world and has a keen sense of the speed with which the trappings of 'civilized Western life' can disappear. This has led him to begin writing about his interests and observations when it comes to the gear, skills and other necessities of self reliance of being equipped for whatever a capricious, occasionally indurate life might throw at him. This isn't by any means to say our eccentric friend actually longs for life in dystopia, but if he had to he might not complain. Read more by Josh at Apocalypse Equipped.

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