Hi Bob, Oops! sorry about missing the subject! (Re: Passagemaking-Under-Power Digest, Vol 2, Issue 5) I would not trust those weldments which are being advertised as devil's claws. The real claws are forgings with an integral eye; the opposite end has one side smooth; the other receives and encompasses a whole link, and is slotted at 90 degrees so that the next link may pass. This results in the load being directly in line with the chain and the claw. The claw is such a good fit that it cannot come off even if the chain goes slack; it must be removed, and, in practice, this can be difficult to do. The strength of these devices exceeds the breaking strength of any chain we cruisers might use. I got mine, years ago, from Para-Tech. Although I'd not use it to replace the devil's claw on my sea anchor, I regularly use a forged SS snap shackle (such as is used on a headsail halyard) to connect the snubber to the 10mm (3/8") SS anchor chain on my sailboat. It hooks through the end of a chain link, so the pull is in line. Its breaking strength is 7700 lbs. It is easy to release. John - aboard "Truelove" in Trinidad, W.I. "Seahorse" Reply to: John@Camm.us Bob Austin wrote: I have not used a Devil's claw--partly because they are not readily available--and partly because I don't entirely trust them--and this latter may be poorly founded opinion.  They are both welded and bent rod--and I have been of the opinon that forged material is stronger.  I may well be wrong.