Old Shackles

[Jak Mang]

I have some 30 year old, Wichard and Gibb shackles. These show very little sign of wear or damage other than minor discoloration. Are these as good as they look or might there be age oriented fatigue that could cause them to fail under extreme load?

Thanks,
-jak

[Brion Toss]

Hello,
At the very least I would look at these with a microscope. And even if they looked good there I'd be inclined to recycle them unless they had been very lightly used, in a Northern climate, aboard a boat that motored in anything over 12 knots apparent. Old stainless can be treacherous.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss