Black Diamond Stopper

Oh BD stopper I'm so glad I met her
She proves that simpler is usually better
From number one all the way up to thirteen
The sleek sexy stopper is always my queen
It's hard to say her greatest contribution
But I'd have to say the Clean Climbing Revolution
No longer were pin scars a necessary evil
Instead into a crack a stopper you could weasel
How many falls have been arrested by you?
More than I can remember, that's why my loves true.
And it's not just on the way up that your treat me well.
You also are there when it's time to rappel.
How many of you I've left in the mountains?
So many that I can't even count them.
So... I'll scream it from the summit with zealous conviction
She is the best pro for any constriction.
While some times I must flirt with one cam or two
When I run out ... that's when her loves true.
She's lighter and righter and backs up thin sizes
For the lovely stopper my heart heaves and rises.
Some times at the end of a pitch she's all that I've got
And then at the anchor she happily slots.
I hope that I've made my passion clear
With out my beautiful stoppers I wouldn't be here.

These were the first bits of pro I ever purchased. I bought the 1-13 set when I was starting out and they are very solid. Personally I prefer the ease of placing and cleaning cams, but everyone needs a set of stoppers, and when set right stoppers are super strong placements and yet so lightweight. I don't really see much difference in these stoppers compared to most others of the similar shape and material. I find the useful range of these stoppers to be 4-13, though I really don't prefer placing anything lower than 9 because 9-13 have the opening, and I find I can remove these with my nut tool easier. I have had to clean these even after being weighted, and I've always been able to remove these without having to damage the rock or the nut. The color coding is helpful. A quick note according to the tech specs on this page it says "7/8 2kN", this is obviously meant to be 1/2 not 7/8.

I love these stoppers! These were the first pieces of pro that I ever bought, in sizes 4-13. The sizes 4-9 are the best and you should double up on them. I made a totally bomber rap anchor using the #7, a tricam, and two cams. They are great for small cracks and I would rather use one of these than I would a pin (even though I don't own any pins). If you're just starting to build your own trad rack, you should get these immediately.

Stoppers are wonderful pieces of gear, but the differences between brands are smaller than the manufacturers would have you believe. I like the Black Diamond option because the anodized heads color coordinate for size with the Camalots, which I use as well. This saves me time in sizing gear by eye, and speed is important when you're hanging on a fingerlock, fiddling with stoppers well above your last piece.
A necessary component of any rack.
-Simon

glad bd lets you buy individuals, as sometimes they stick in cracks too well or you value life too much to rappel off a chockstone. Not much different from other options though I like the HBs a bit better, but haven't had recalls like Wild Country either.

There is nothing sweeter than placing a bottleneck nut into a constriction. Cams may be amazing and incredible, but I always feel secure placing a nice nut placement. I use sizes #5-9 more than any other size.

These are just classic. Every rack should have a set of stoppers and I would argue that every rack should have these. These were my first pieces of trad pro. Go with these!!

Just got #6 and 8 for christmas and already know im going to love them. Already on my rack. Very solid feeling, wire is heavier too.

Bomber. Perfect sizes, color coding isnt bad, nice curve and tough wire. What's not to love about the stopper?

What can I say. No bells or whistles and does the job!!!