Kong Frog

Having not seen a single review of any decent detail of Kong's latest quick release, I decided to put one up.

There are, as far as I can tell, two different versions of the Frog quick release. One has a webbing dogbone and features what appear to be polished locks, while the other has only an eyelet at its base for a biner or accessory cord and coated (perhaps anodized) locks, just like the rest of the unit. The first version also features different markings. For the purposes of distinguishing between the two, I'll refer to them as the Frog/C and Frog herein, as that is what their markings state. Here's an MSM shot of the frog, with the dogbone and large Kong logo:

215 Gear has recently started using the Frog/Cs on their various versions of operator retention lanyards for aircrews:

And end users have been finding uses for Frogs ever since they hit the market:

Yet another version is available which is identical to the Frog but simply comes in bright red, instead, and features a Kong biner on the other end of the dogbone. Apart from these minor, virtually cosmetic differences, all the Frogs operate in the same manner. They are all aluminum quick releases made in Italy originally for use in climbers' quick draws. What makes them so awesome is their unique design which offers an interesting autolocking ability and an absolutely uncompromising grip under tension. I'll attempt to explain the mechanism here...

The Frog comprises two pieces of aluminum, (presumably 6061 or 7000 series), held together by three pins. Within these two pieces of aluminum, two prongs, that are shaped somewhat like C's, rotate about the bottom pin. They are constantly under pressure from a single spring with two separately wound portions behind each "c:"

The Frog's prongs can be locked back (unlocked) by pulling on their handles. This can easily be done with one hand so long as the system is not under tension:

Because of the design of the spring, pressure on either the outside of the "c" or directly from the inside of the prongs, as demonstrated below, will automatically lock the system.

This ability to quickly lock and release is what sets the Frog apart from simple carabiners. Instead of working a screw-lock or even an autolocking biner off your belay device, a simple pull down on the prong's handles (or up, depending on your employment of the Frog), will release you from your line immediately.

My only gripe is a very American one. It needs to be bigger. Really. A lot bigger. You may have noticed that, in earlier pictures, it was show releasing accessory cord. This is because it will not fit most carabiners. Not even my smallest biners will fit in the Frog's eyelet:

While I could run out and find some tiny biners at REI, it seems silly to unnecessarily make a quick release that will only work with an exclusive, few biners. The other side of the Frog has a similar problem. Although most biners can be attached to the Frog:

...the same prongs that brilliantly allow the Frog to be quickly attached to things also deny any large objects inside them (most carabiners) the ability to be released:

While I understand that making it larger will make it weaker, I'd gladly shell out for and lug around a larger, steel version of this design just for its quick attach and release capability. As is, it works just fine with accessory cord, its just a bit of a pain to shorten Prusik loops and it makes your entire system a little longer than necessary. A minor gripe, at best. Shown here with 5.5mm Bluewater Titan cord:

I've put it through extensive testing and found it to be secure in all situations. The locks will NOT budge one bit under load.

I'd highly recommend the Kong Frog to anyone needing a simple, reliable quick release. Whether you're a PJ or simply local law enforcement, when you need to get off a line, you need to get the fuck off that line.

All in all, certainly worth the $15-28 you'll find them for, despite their drawbacks. An innovative little piece of kit.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this or other equipment, feel free to ask away. I'll respond to the best of my ability. Cheers.

UPDATE (2/13/11): The Frog works well with V/D-Rings. It may be difficult to access if the V-Ring is on your belt and under LBE. Just something to consider. I should be picking up a CTOMS X-Belt QR soon that will eliminate this issue. We'll see.

UPDATE (4/23/11): Frogs also work well with ATCs.