Objects Database

Kong (Kisa) Rope Shock Absorber

Accession Number

1681.2022.1

Object Name

Kong (Kisa) Rope Shock Absorber

Created

02/09/2022

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

02/09/2022

Brief Description

Kong (Kisa) rope shcok absorber with one large hole and 6 smaller ones

Materials

metal

Dimensions

11(L) x4 (W) cms

Number Of Objects

1

Inscription Description

"KONG-BONAITI-ITALY"

Colour

blue

Maker

Kong -Bonaiti

Object Production Place

Italy

Provenance

Kong began life in the Alpine valleys of Italy in the the 1830’s, though it used the family name of Bonaiti back then, changing it to Kong in 1977.
They made nails, metal rings, cottar pins and chains for agricultural use in the early days, slowly evolving as the decdes past.
A partnership with the famous Italian mountaineer, Ricardo Cassin, saw their first karibiners appear on the market - there followed a vast array of innovative, sometimes quirky gear, which included this shock absorber.
KISA stands for Kong Impact Shock Absorber, the idea being that in the event of a climber or industrial worker falling, this device ‘gives and slips’ a little so absorbing some of the shock.
They are sometimes used on Via Ferrata where there is usually very little dynamic rope in the system to otherwise absorb the shock.
The Scots would call this a bit of a ‘boorach’ i.e. a mess!
Because of the type of rope used, rain, mud snow, ice, dust and just about every other natural phenomena make it virtually impossible to work correctly.
The best and safest place for it is probably in our collection - unused!

Acquisition Date

02/09/2022

Condition Check Date

02/09/2022

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

02/09/2022

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