Clipstick Review: Ddakgeolrim 2, a Budget Korean Stick

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Ddakgeolrim 2 (딱걸림2) is a Korean-made, one-piece clip stick that weighs 141 g and extends from about 50 cm to 2 m 10 cm. It costs much less than imported clip sticks, which run about 90,000-100,000 KRW (as of March 2024). I think it is a good pick for anyone who projects routes.

Why use a clip stick when projecting?

At bolted sport crags in Korea (called “hard-free” crags, 하드프리암장), I often project routes with the rope already hanging from the first or second quickdraw. It works like insurance. If you fall while clipping early in the route, you could hit the ground and get badly hurt.

The problem is that the first bolts are often out of reach, so you can’t hang a quickdraw or the rope by hand. A clip stick solves this. Most are imported, though, and the price (about 90,000-100,000 KRW, as of March 2024) is a real burden.

Because of this, natural crags where people project a lot often keep a homemade clip stick: a long branch with bent wire. Handy climbers also make their own and carry them.

Who makes Ddakgeolrim 2?

Ddakgeolrim 2 is made by ‘Dal-e-Chwihan-Nabi’ (달에취한나비, “Butterfly Drunk on the Moon”), a Naver blog neighbor of mine. This person is very good with their hands and also a very strong climber.

I realized I needed a clip stick last year while climbing at Saebyeok crag (새벽암장) and bought one. It was winter, so I waited impatiently for spring. I used it recently and was happy with it, so here is my review.

Ddakgeolrim 2 vs 3: specs

Ddakgeolrim 2 (딱걸림2)

6 sections

Minimum length 50 cm

Maximum length 2 m 10 cm

Ddakgeolrim 3 (딱걸림3)

6 sections

Minimum length 53 cm

Maximum length 2 m 40 cm

After several improvements, the maker now offers two versions, Ddakgeolrim 2 and 3. The main difference is that version 3 is about 30 cm longer.

I rarely need that much reach, so I ordered version 2. Choose the version that fits your situation.

Design and build quality

The structure of this Korean-made stick is very simple. It is one solid piece, but it has some give. When you push a quickdraw or rope in, it stretches, then shrinks back and holds it firmly.

The photos above show the clip stick designs sold on the market.

The clip sticks I knew either use a wire or have a pin that holds the quickdraw. I always thought these designs could fail. The wire can bend out of shape, and the retaining part on the pin can come off.

A one-piece body makes those problems less likely. A long head would break easily, but this head is short and made of hard material. I think it would be hard to break even if you stepped on it on purpose.

The other end is a loop. The maker designed it so you can clip the stick to a carabiner and carry it easily. It looks sturdy, but the loop is thick, so it is awkward to clip onto a small carabiner.

Size and weight

I measured the stick at about 48.5 cm (the listed minimum length is 50 cm). Nothing sticks out to the side, so it fits easily inside a bag.

It weighs 141 g. That is light enough to carry to the crag without a second thought.

How to adjust the length

Just grab the extending section below the head and pull it out. Unlike other clip sticks, it has no button to lock the length after you extend it. It still held its length well while I was clipping.

How to put a quickdraw on the stick

How to fix a quickdraw to Ddakgeolrim

Because the stick is one piece, forcing a quickdraw in the wrong way could reduce its performance or even break it. I recommend watching how it is used before you try it.

Don’t insert the quickdraw horizontally. Put it in with the head of the quickdraw going from bottom to top. In my tests, both fairly thick and thin quickdraws seemed to work.

How to hang a quickdraw on a bolt

Hanging a quickdraw with the clip stick

Once you know how to load it, try it at the crag. Fix the quickdraw and rope on the stick, extend it to the bolt you want, and put it into the hole. Pull the stick, and the quickdraw stays on the bolt while the stick comes free to take back.

How to clip the rope into the first quickdraw

Clipping the rope into the first quickdraw

You can simply push the rope in and pull. But compared with the method the maker designed, the rope doesn’t hold its loop shape as well, and sometimes you miss the clip. Since you have bought the stick, learn the maker’s rope method too. It will save you time.

With the climber’s rope pointing down, pass the rope in from the inside and make a circle as you fix it. The loop keeps its shape well this way. Match the loop size and position to the gate of the quickdraw you want to clip, then pull the climber’s rope.

When you clip the first quickdraw, take care not to back-clip. You will need some practice to do it fast.

I’m still a bit awkward, but I can now clip the rope into a quickdraw easily.

Verdict: is Ddakgeolrim 2 worth buying?

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Using a clip stick can reduce risk while climbing, so I think it is useful gear for anyone who projects routes. It is also much cheaper than the clip sticks sold on the market. I recommend it to people like me who knew they needed a clip stick but found the price too high.

If you want a Ddakgeolrim, please check the YouTube video and the purchase link below. They are in the original Korean post.

[Stick Clip [Ddakgeolrim 2 & 3] Taking Orders (Korean)

Based on feedback from a few people, I made Ddakgeolrim 3 after Ddakgeolrim 2. The design and material are the same, only the length is adjusted…

blog.naver.com](https://blog.naver.com/difranco425/222767595187)

FAQ

How long does Ddakgeolrim 2 extend?
It has 6 sections. The minimum length is 50 cm and the maximum is 2 m 10 cm. I measured my stick at about 48.5 cm when collapsed.

How much does Ddakgeolrim 2 weigh?
My stick weighed 141 g.

What is the difference between Ddakgeolrim 2 and 3?
Version 3 is about 30 cm longer (53 cm to 2 m 40 cm). The design and material are the same.

How do I put a quickdraw into the stick?
Don’t insert it horizontally. Put it in with the head of the quickdraw going from bottom to top. Both thick and thin quickdraws seemed to work in my tests.