Birdie

The Beal Birdie is a device that obviously emulates the design principles of the Grigri, but it doesn’t differentiate itself in ways that are actually useful. It just looks different and feels clunkier.

The Beal Birdie is a BABD that reduces this rope curling effect. It operates like a Grigri, but with a straight rope path and steel inserts (reduces Al smear on ropes). Less expensive than a Grigri, too.

Grigris are pretty standard. I use one myself but I’ve always loved the idea of the Beal Birdie. It’s all metal so seems bombproof and more compact and comes in fun colors. But my grigri has plenty of life left so it’s hard to justify buying myself a birdie.