Nut (climbing) 777118 224709502 2008-07-10T01:51:36Z Lightbot 7178666 Units/dates/other {{otheruses|Nut}} {{unreferenced|date=January 2008}} [[Image:7nuts and tool on carabiner.jpeg|thumb|300px|A selection of nuts and a nut removal tool.]] In [[rock climbing]], a '''nut''' (or ''chock'' or ''chockstone'') is a metal wedge threaded on a wire, used for [[protection (climbing)|protection]] by wedging it into a crack in the rock. Nuts come in a variety of sizes and styles, and several different brands are made by competing manufacturers. Most nuts are made out of [[aluminum]]. Larger nuts may be threaded on [[Dyneema]] cord instead of wire, but this has become unusual. Nuts are related to, but not interchangeable with, [[Hexcentric]]s. The very smallest nuts are known as ''micronuts'' and may be made of [[brass]] or other metal. They typically have their wires [[solder]]ed into them, instead of looped through drilled holes in the nut. They are most commonly used in [[aid climbing]], and their value as protection (ie arresting a climbers' fall) is generally considered marginal due to their relatively low breaking strength, and the tiny amount of surface area (the HB 0 measures about 4 x 7 x 2.5 mm) in contact with the rock, though this may be offset somewhat by placing several of these nuts at a time if possible. Other names used include ''RPs'' (the brand name of the first commercially available micronuts) and ''brassies''. They are available from several manufacturers in a variety of styles. British climbers in the 1950s were the first to use nuts as climbing protection. Too poor to afford [[piton]]s, they picked up old machine nuts from along the side of railway tracks, climbed with them in their pockets, and used them as artificial chocks. In 1972, when [[clean climbing]] was becoming an issue in the [[United States]], [[Yvon Chouinard]] began manufacturing chocks made specifically for rock climbing, with the familiar wedge shape still in use today. Climbers like [[Henry Barber (rock climber)|Henry Barber]] and [[John Stannard]] helped popularize their use, especially after it was discovered that a nut was lighter and generally easier to place while climbing, as well as being at least, if not more, secure than a well placed piton. Nuts may be generically referred to as ''wires'' or ''stoppers''. Stopper is also a brand name of a specific type of nut. [[Category:Climbing equipment|Nut]] [[de:Klemmkeil]] [[fr:Bicoin]] [[it:Nut (alpinismo)]] [[pl:Kostka (wspinaczka)]] [[pt:Nuts]] [[ru:Закладка (альпинизм)]]