11 MM climbing line

[Col2y]

Im looking for new climbing line and i was reading another thread on here a minute ago about the best climbing line.i want more info on the 11 mm lines, what makes them so great is there less friction on because its a smaller line, and what kind of split tails would i need from what i read 11 mm cord goes with 8 mm tails but i'm not sure. also i have a ring to ring friction saver that is designed to be removed by tying and knot in your line and pulling it through, will the know on the 11mm cord slip through the small ring as well, i couldn't see that happening but again i want to know one way or the other before i make the switch.

The two lines i'm considering are the blaze 11 mm and the poison ivy which is an 11.7, does the .7mm make any difference one way or the other, and finaly is there any other lines i should be looking into

thanks

 

[jrietkerk]

I looked at this recently and picked up the Poison Ivy. Friends tell me the Blaze is a bit more picky with hitch cords (some don't bite as well on the Blaze). If you're used to hip thrusting and grabbing a 1/2" line, the smaller line is a shock at first. I'm getting used to the 11.7 though, and love it for the lighter weight, less stretch, easier functionality with mechanical devices, and it seems my hitches run much more smoothly on it. Didn't have to change length or configuration of VT/Knut with a 8mm cord with the new rope. I think the main advantage of the smaller rope is that you can use it for SRT and DdRT. (i.e. Petzel devices are supposed to work on ropes less than 13mm, which is roughly 1/2") Some would say you're splitting hairs - I use 1/2" for SRT and through gri-gri's etc. Everyone does. But you'll notice the lighter weight and less stretch for sure, especially if you're up in big trees regularly. I highly recommend the Poison Ivy, and would say anything smaller will hurt your hand, especially if you're grunting up and down all day.
If you're not into SRT, or don't regularly using a foot ascender, I'd say stick with a 1/2" line.
People I know say get Poison Ivy or Tachyon - Blaze is too small for a dual purpose rope. Who knows. Good luck.

 

[jrietkerk]

as for the friction saver, I'd recommend using an extraction ring of some kind(i.e. old throwbag ring) as opposed to tying a knot, although a knot will still work with 11mm line I'm sure.

 

[senechal]

have you considered New England's Tachyon? I just switched up to tachyon from poison ivy and so far I am really stoked. I love my poison ivy, but had the new line (11.2mm I believe) done with a tight splice for the hitch climber w/ VT and what a magical setup it is. Super fast and none of that tachifier treatment that comes on the samson stuff. It's a double braid so friction saver only, and I'm still getting used to the diameter change even from the 11.7 poison ivy. I definitely digs.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I like the tack on the Samson ropes, it helps my footlock a lot. I tried YellowJacket which is very slick and wore out a pair of boots very quickly.

Between the tack on the rope and the sticky soles of my mountain boots I very rarely slip a lock nor have to do a very tight lock.

 

[senechal]

very valid point!

 

[md_tree_dood]

I'm a big fan of my 11mm line (lava) mainly due to weight as its the lightest (or extremely close) line on the market.

 

[Col2y]

has anyone tried the lava rope that sherrill is selling, i just want to cover all the basis before i go and buy.

 

[treesandsurf]

The lava rope is a different name for tachyon I believe. Personally, I prefer the slightly smaller diameter cords (blaze and velocity) as they seem to have less stretch. The velocity is my favorite and is a true 11mm, so feels much different than the 1/2" lines, and definitely warrants using gloves.

When I first tried the velocity I hated it, as the rope seemed way too thin. After a while of using it off and on, I liked it more and more as there is hardly any stretch in the line. Hopefully that helps.

jp

 

[murphy4trees]

not the PI

I bought a 150 poison ivy with a spliced eye, used it twice, and gave it away... I would never consider buying it again. It was so heavy and hard to manage. I use blaze, velocity or fly... And I only climb with ugly gloves... I won't touch a rope or throw line without them... The better grip is so much easier on the body... Gotta care for your hands and wrists if you want them to last... The thinner lines are a lot lighter and easier to manage in the tree as long as you can grip them well...
I actually prefer the blaze, with velocity a very close second and the fly third, only becasue the spice on the fly is too big to use on the rope guide... As far as your 2 ring FS, you can use a screw link instead of a knot for retrieval. You should do that anyway as the knot is far more likely to jam... You could also put a biner and a petzl fixie pulley on the small ring and use that as long as the spice won't pull through the fixie..

 

[deevo]

[

The two lines i'm considering are the blaze 11 mm and the poison ivy which is an 11.7, does the .7mm make any difference one way or the other, and finaly is there any other lines i should be looking into

thanks[/QUOTE]

I just got the blaze 11mm and I used it 3 times this week and love it! I'm just starting climbing with rope, have been practising previously on some old 12 mm stuff with various different set ups that a fellow arborist friend recommended/trained me on. I decided to try the Petzl RAD system, and its very easy to go up and down doing work in the tree I am very happy with it. Did a trimming job on a large old maple tree yesterday (sorry no pictures) and was very easy to manouver around in as I managed to get my line to the highest point the very first try with the Big Shot, set my cambium saver in the crotch and was off to the races! Now I'm hooked on rope climbing. Have my own practise line set up on a big Maple in my backyard!:greenchainsaw:

 

[moss]

I agree with Murph, PI is too heavy. Tachyon (or Lava, same thing) rocks it, the best rope out there. It's lightweight, has the firmest hand of any I've climbed on and has enough diameter to grip (compared to Blaze or Velocity). I climb with smurf gloves but you can bare hand it just fine. It's an excellent SRT line as well. It's easy to splice (according to splicers) and you can splice it both ends. I'm guessing that Yale and Samson R&D departments are scrambling to come up with something as good.
-moss

 

[Col2y]

not to digress but how do you guys climb with gloves, i can't find a pair of gloves i can grab a rope with that will last longer then 2 weeks, i use all leather ropers gloves i use to use working cattle ( im a farm boy in the city ) but I only wear them on removals because i only have to mend my slack im not actualy humping

if you could post any links that you have where you guys pick up the gloves that would be great id be willing to give them shot, by about june i have perma gloves from all calasses i get working without gloves

 

[treeslayer]

I use the fly, and love it, but have had it for over 3 years And my silky ibuki loves the taste of it. lots of little nicks.

How long do you guys run the same rope?

 

[rbtree]

I've been climbing on Blaze for well over a year now..like it, though it is a tad soft, and recently milked a bit in front of a Bail out Vt cord tied a bit too short... Just ordered a Tachyon, which is going to Nick to splice...along with 600 feet of Blaze to be made into several lines for co workers.....
Many say Tachyon is their new favorite.....11.7mm, light....great hand, low stretch, and available in two colors.

I still like the larger lines..and prefer an older line for removals....more chance of getting gaffed or cut by groundies.....

 

[moss]

I've seen lots of top climbers at the comps wearing Atlas 'fit' gloves.

..............so that's what I wear, too!

A.K.A. smurf gloves. They wear out fast but they're cheap and effective. I like mine semi-toasted, just enough rubber to grab well but some bare spots to make for smooth descent.
-moss

 

[moss]

Many say Tachyon is their new favorite.....11.7mm, light....great hand, low stretch, and available in two colors.

I'm totally confused by by manufacturer's stated rope diameter, in the hand Tachyon seems skinnier than PI (definitely lighter weight), Fly seems as thick as or thicker than Tachyon, only Blaze and Velocity are clearly thinner than Tachyon. Tachyon has a super smooth surface, if you go from a 1/2" 16-strand to Tachyon it might seem strange. If you go from one of the 24-strands like PI to Tachyon I think you'll like the smoother feel.
-moss

 

[Col2y]

i climb both systems(blake hip thrust and VT with a slack tender) depending on what type of climbing im doing what kind of tails do you guys use, i have a 10 mm icewhich i like but find it bites down a little hard some times and a 10 mm bee line that is absolutly caked in pine sap they are both double ended will they work or should i move down to 8 mm, and for a blake what should i use with it,

 

[Magnum783]

I personally recomend Velocity I like the tack and the work ability of it. It hold knots well and handles great.. Just like the stuff all together. I don't use it for climbing but do use it for lanyards and it works great. Just like the stuff all together for what I use it for. I use 1/2" for climbing just like the fatter stuff. Can't go wrong with samson product.
Jared

 

[woodchux]

When on 11mm i like velocity, with some type of sterling cord i got somewhere.....mostly though i find myself hanging on my 1/2 bluestreak with a 11mm velocity splittail. 90% of the time i dont even bother with a slacktending pulley anymore unless ive got a long ascent or limbwalk ill slap one on.

Does anyone know what kind of cord this is?