This post is intended to be a running commentary of my notes on the pros and cons of snaps, swivels, and other methods of attachment as it applies to my falconry experience. Everyone has their preferences, but these notes are what I’ve discovered so far. I will continue to add and update this post as I learn more.
Carabiner
There are many different shapes and sizes of carabiner clip. Accessory clips are too flimsy to hold up to a bating red-tailed hawk. Alder is capable of picking at the spring portion or pulling so hard that if there isn’t a screw-style gate lock to protect the spring she will break it. She has broken two of the pictured style so far, both times were my fault because I did not make sure the screw cover was closed and tight. I do like the aluminum for its weight to strength ratio.
Pros: Light weight, easy to find in stores
Cons: Spring is weak when not protected by screw-style cover, bulky, opening/closing with screw cover is time-consuming
French Swivel Snap
This snap style seems to work well for short-term and highly supervised use. I’ve not thoroughly tested this when not actively interacting with Alder because it is so incredibly heavy that the noise it makes bouncing off of things is too annoying. I like that it’s quick to clip and unclip to her jesses, and works well on a heavy leash for the glove. She hasn’t broken or gotten out of this one yet, but I haven’t really given her an opportunity to try.
Pros: Strong, easy to use, quick to attach/detach
Cons: Heavy, harder to find
Dual Spring Snap and Swivel System
This is a system built from two spring snaps, two 300 lb split-ring barrel swivels, and one welded ring 500 lb barrel swivel. I like this for creance flying, and will likely use this on her hunting leash. The spring snap portion is sturdy, though the sharp edges catch on braided lines if not careful.
Pros: Strong, easy to use, double security
Cons: Heavy, expensive due to number and style of components
Spring Snap (Round Eye, Flat Spring)
I use this type of snap on the jess end of my leash, and until recently on the jess end of the perch tether. It turns out that by picking and pulling with her beak, Alder can break the spring of this style of snap. I have also had the jesses come loose from the leash on my glove when holding this snap in my glove. When she bates from the glove, the pulling can cause me to open the spring unintentionally and the jesses can come out. I will probably replace all of these with a spring snap that has a more stout spring than the flat one shown here.
Pros: Easy to use, swivels, easy to find
Cons: Spring breaks easily and can be pulled open, not very secure
Trigger Snap (Round Eye)
I like using this as an attachment point to my glove’s d-ring. When attached there, it is not very often that there is much stress on the snap, but it will hold when it needs to. I do not like this as an attachment point to a perch ring because bating in the direction of the gate opening will actually open the snap up and allow the bird to escape. Alder has gotten out of this type of snap twice on her perch. I will use this as a secondary snap when doubling up when I still want to be able to undo things quickly.
Pros: Easy to use, swivels
Cons: Bating/pulling in the direction that the gate opens will open the snap, heavy
Screw-lock Oval Quick Link
I like having several of these laying around. They are great in a pinch, and make a good double security option when needed. I prefer using them in combination with a barrel swivel to avoid twisting and tangling. Alder has managed to unscrew this with her beak, and also just by pulling repeatedly when the gate is only finger-tightened. She has gotten out of it many times. If I use pliers it works better but then is less convenient for removing. Because of this, I use for attachments that I do not remove often such as where her dedicated perch tether attaches to the ring. I will also use it in combination with another snap when I feel that I need a little more security.
Pros: Extremely inexpensive, easy to find, small, lightweight
Cons: Comes unscrewed easily if only finger-tightened, does not swivel on its own
