Two tools that help at the top of your ladder, each in its own way.
Lock Jaw and Ladder-Max both help at the top of the ladder, but they do different jobs:
- Lock Jaw clamps your ladder to the gutter so the top can’t slide sideways.
- Ladder-Max holds your ladder away from the gutter, resting it on the roof or wall instead.
So the real question isn’t which one is better. It’s which job you’re doing today.
What Each Is and How It Attaches
Lock Jaw Ladder Grip: the gutter clamp
Lock Jaw is a compact clamp that locks your ladder rail to the gutter lip. It’s light enough to carry up the ladder on your belt.
How it attaches:
- Clip it to your belt with the included carabiner, so both hands stay free for climbing.
- At the top, place the jaws over the gutter edge with the bar over your ladder rail.
- Push the handle down with your palm. It locks in about five seconds, one-handed.
Placing Lock Jaw over the gutter edge and ladder rail
It was co-invented in Australia in 2009 by Craig and Robert Charlton after a ladder injury. It’s built from glass-filled nylon and stainless steel, with rubber pads that protect the gutter. It’s sold at Bunnings, and it won Best New Tool at the 2020 International Roofing Expo.
Locking Lock Jaw onto the gutter, one-handed
Ladder-Max Original: the standoff
Ladder-Max Original is a galvanised steel frame that slips over two of your ladder rungs and sticks out 48 cm from the top. Its 91 cm arms rest on the roof or wall with four non-marking orange tips.
How it attaches:
- On the ground, slip the frame over two rungs of your ladder. For roof access, the maker recommends the 4th and 5th rungs from the top, so the ladder extends about 91 cm above the roof.
- Secure it with the lock pin. The pin only holds it in place until the ladder is leaned against the roof or wall.
- Raise the ladder so the tips rest on the roof or wall instead of the gutter.
It goes on and off in about 10 seconds without tools. It’s made by a family business in Idaho, USA, and comes with a 5-year limited warranty.
Ladder-Max is mainly sold in the US, but it’s available on Amazon Australia, shipped from the US. Ladder-Max also makes a Multi-Pro version for corners, but this comparison covers the Original.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Lock Jaw Ladder Grip | Ladder-Max Original | |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Locks the ladder to the gutter | Holds the ladder off the gutter |
| Rests on | Gutter lip | Roof or wall |
| Attaches | At the top, one-handed | On the ground, over two rungs |
| Setup time | About 5 seconds | About 10 seconds, before raising the ladder |
| Weight | About 864 g (1.9 lb) | About 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) |
| Ladder fit | Rails up to about 50 mm wide | Rungs about 30 cm apart, about 30 cm between rails, rungs 5 cm deep or less |
| Telescopic ladders | Some, not all | Yes, per the maker |
| Gutter needed? | Yes, with a lip | No |
| Gutter types | Most Australian gutters, including traditional and box gutters. Not for plastic or wooden box gutters, or fixed metal gutter guards | Any; it keeps weight off the gutter |
| Material | Glass-filled nylon + stainless steel, rubber pads | Galvanised steel, plastic tips |
| Carry method | Clips to your belt | Fitted before you raise the ladder |
| Warranty | 12 months, plus 30-day money-back guarantee | 5-year limited warranty (from the US maker) |
| Where to buy in Australia | Lock Jaw website and Bunnings | Amazon Australia, shipped from the US |
| Price (at time of writing) | $141 AUD | Varies; shipped from the US |
Specs and prices checked against each maker’s website in September 2026. Prices can change.
When to Choose a Standoff
A standoff like Ladder-Max makes sense when:
- You want no weight on the gutter. This suits gutter cleaning, gutter guard installs, or delicate gutters.
- The gutters are plastic or have a fixed metal guard. A gutter clamp can’t work there.
- There’s no gutter at all. It can rest on a wall or roof edge.
- You need to work around something. It can span a window up to about 90 cm wide.
- You need room to work. The 48 cm gap gives you space to reach the fascia, cladding or trim behind the ladder.
Keep in mind that a standoff spreads your ladder’s contact at the top, but it doesn’t clamp onto anything.
When to Choose a Gutter Clamp
A gutter clamp like Lock Jaw makes sense when:
- You’re stepping off onto the roof. That transition is exactly when you want the ladder top held in place.
- You work alone and don’t have someone to foot the ladder.
- You carry tools or panels up the ladder. This suits solar installers, electricians, roofers and inspectors.
- The gutters are metal with a solid lip, including traditional and box gutters.
- You want something light. It clips to your belt and goes on in seconds.
Keep in mind that Lock Jaw relies on the gutter. Only use it if the gutter is sound enough to rest a ladder on.
Using Both
Lock Jaw and Ladder-Max aren’t designed to work together in one setup. One rests the ladder on the gutter; the other keeps it off.
Some people keep both and pick based on the job:
- Roof access on a metal gutter: Lock Jaw
- Gutter cleaning or guard installs: Ladder-Max
- Plastic gutters or no gutter: Ladder-Max
- Working alone, climbing onto the roof: Lock Jaw
Whichever you use, the basics still apply:
- Set the ladder at the right angle.
- Check the ground is firm and level.
- Inspect your gear before each climb.
- Keep three points of contact.
In Australia, SafeWork NSW’s ladder guidance (last updated December 2025, checked September 2026) says:
- Extension ladders should be secured at the top, the bottom or both. If that isn’t possible, someone should hold the ladder.
- Set the ladder at a 1:4 angle: 1 metre out for every 4 metres of height.
- For roof access, SafeWork NSW’s pocket guide says the ladder should extend at least 1 metre above the landing.
Both tools can be part of a safe setup, but neither replaces good ladder practice.
FAQs
Can I use Lock Jaw on plastic gutters?
No. Lock Jaw needs a metal gutter with a lip to clamp under, so it isn’t suitable for plastic or wooden box gutters. For those, a standoff is the better fit.
Does Lock Jaw work on box gutters?
Yes. It works on most Australian gutters, including traditional and box gutters, as long as the jaws can go over the gutter edge.
Does Ladder-Max lock my ladder in place?
No. It widens and spreads your ladder’s contact at the top, but it doesn’t clamp to the house.
Where can I buy them in Australia?
Lock Jaw is available from the Lock Jaw website and Bunnings. Ladder-Max is available on Amazon Australia, shipped from the US.
How much do they weigh?
Lock Jaw weighs about 864 g (1.9 lb), so it can ride on your belt. Ladder-Max Original weighs about 3.5 kg and is fitted to the ladder before you raise it.
Will Lock Jaw fit my telescopic ladder?
It fits some, but not all, telescopic ladders; it depends on the make and model. If you’re unsure, send us your ladder model and we’ll help you check.
Will Ladder-Max fit my ladder?
The maker says the Original fits most aluminium, timber and fibreglass extension, articulating, telescopic and straight ladders. Your ladder needs rungs about 30 cm apart, about 30 cm between the rails, and rungs 5 cm deep or less.
Does Lock Jaw work with gutter guards?
Yes, if the guard can be lifted so the jaws reach inside the gutter. It can’t be used on fixed metal guards.
Do I need one Lock Jaw or two?
One works. If you’re on multi-storey buildings or climbing daily, two (one on each side) gives extra stability.
What if Lock Jaw doesn’t suit my ladder or gutter?
There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee; you just cover return postage.
Related Reading
- Why Ladders Slide on Gutters (and How to Stop Them)
- How to Stop a Ladder Slipping at the Roof Edge
- Lock Jaw for roofers
Heading onto the roof?
