A lot of climbing rope series for sale. What's the difference?

[ForTheArborist]

There are a lot of ropes with various prices on the market, but the sellers like Sherrill etc don't describe any significant differences. Are there any differences between the different climbing ropes except maybe flexibility?

(I understand some ropes stretch while others don't. Different subject.)

 

[TreeW?rx]

Sherrill does have a chart that gives the knotability and stretchyness among other things. You can also find the load rating and absolute diameter. But rope differences are subjective. If you ask 10 different people about 2 different ropes you will get 10 different responses. It all comes down to which ropes you like. If you dont have a place you can go to check them out in person, then you are kinda stuck like me. I order a rope and hope I like it. I have had good luck so far.

 

[TreeW?rx]

I forgot to mention. Some of the catalogs will tell you which climbing style each rope is used for. SRT, DRT, DDRT etc. Some are better static ropes and others are better for dynamic climbing. I rope mostly from SHerrill and Wesspur, they seem to have the most info and best prices. Just my .02

 

[ForTheArborist]

Thanks. I can do a lot with that.

 

[BlackenedTimber]

What are you doing with these ropes? Rigging? Climbing? What type of Rigging/Climbing?

SRT? DdRT? False Crotch? Natural Crotch?

What are you climbing on? The palms you like to talk about, or other species?

WHATS YOUR END USAGE FOR THE ROPES YOU WANT TO BUY?

If your new to the "buying quality rope" scene, then I would suggest the following, although you will get a million different answers from every different AS member...

Rigging- False Crotch:
CMI Blocks, Tenex or Stable Braid Slings, Porty (or other) 1/2" Samson Stable Braid for smaller stuff, 5/8" or 3/4" Samson Stable Braid for larger stuff.

Rigging- Natural Crotch:
Samson Tree Master 3-strand- 1/2" for smaller stuff, 3/4" for bigger stuff.

Climbing line: For your first piece of legit rope, you may want to check out Samson ArborPlex, which is more of a stiff-lay rope (fairly static) but excellent to work with. If you think you want something a little more supple, but with a little more stretch (more dynamic than Arborplex, but not too dynamic) try Samson True Blue. Tie your friction hitch with Tenex/Bee-Line/Ice-Tail/etc, or you can go split-tail. Whatever you do, buy legit gear, your life is literally on the line.

All of these ropes perfrom excellently, and are priced reasonably from any of the big suppliers.

Really though, only you can determine which ropes best suit your likes and needs. I am partial to Samson, but several companies including Yale and New England make phenominal ropes.

T

 

[md_tree_dood]

True blue is by far the worst rope on the market if you are going to do anything short of pulling a truck out of a ditch. The stuff stretches like you wouldn't believe, is heavy, and frays like you wouldn't believe.

 

[Defender]

But it's reasonably priced and they seem to sell miles of it. I'm not too crazy about it either.

 

[ForTheArborist]

Thanks for the details, TB. I'm putting those to use as of now.

As far as True Blue goes, I've been reading a lot about it in the archives, and I started to understand that it was so popular because it's so cheap. Well cheap generally means less apt. Now two people say that it is a less than standard rope, and I don't see how it's any cheaper than anything else.

 

[mattfr12]

i few ropes i like for climbing are poison ivy and new england dragon fly. poison ivy is thicker easier to grip but with little stretch. i usually use a micro pully and a distel hitch. for rigging i use samson stable braid

 

[ForTheArborist]

i few ropes i like for climbing are poison ivy and new england dragon fly. poison ivy is thicker easier to grip but with little stretch. i usually use a micro pully and a distel hitch. for rigging i use samson stable braid

I was actually thinking of going with the Ivy and some samson rope for rigging. I don't think anyone would doubt that decision.

 

[ForTheArborist]

BTimber, I'm shoppin rope right now, and I'm wondering which diameter is better climbing. I assume the thicker the rope would gno better than thinner rope for gripping and controlability. Am I right? Why would you want a 3/8' rope to climb with?

 

[mattfr12]

poison ivy never did me wrong. when i worked at bartlet it was a popular rope also.

 

[Greenstar]

True blue is by far the worst rope on the market if you are going to do anything short of pulling a truck out of a ditch. The stuff stretches like you wouldn't believe, is heavy, and frays like you wouldn't believe.

True Blue is NOT the worst rope. It has been a best seller for more than 15 years for a reason. I climb on it everyday.
I will admit that I climb on it because I bought a 600' roll for a great price about 6 years ago from a guy who was leaving the industry (he had also turned into a crackhead) so this is how I got so much of it.

But for years my friends had it, and swore by it, and it was always the most comfortable rope in your hand. Thats what I like, although it is a little heavy compared to the newer ropes now.

Thats the debate with most of the newer rope now is:

-WEIGHT
-FEEL
-COLOR & LOOK
-and of course PRICE

Its all good stuff. Evryone has their preference. I've had loads of Arborplex. It was an industry standard for a long time because it was so cheap, it is pretty reliable/strong, and you can find it anywhere. Its not for climbing though, and the only thing I never liked about it was that it burned and got very stiff, very easily.

A lot of the newer guys are climbing with the newer, thinner, stuff, because its so lightweight when having to handle your ropes a few times per day. (I'm used to 1/2" line though so weight doesnt bother me)
Lighter, newer stuff is much harder to get a comfortable grip on when body thrusting however, although I think I still may try some next time I go to buy a rope.

Hope this helps!
Greenstar

 

[oldirty]

my rope bridge is true blue.

cant have much more faith in a line than that.

 

[ddhlakebound]

BTimber, I'm shoppin rope right now, and I'm wondering which diameter is better climbing. I assume the thicker the rope would gno better than thinner rope for gripping and controlability. Am I right? Why would you want a 3/8' rope to climb with?

If I were trying to think ahead, and get the most use for my money, I'd probably find the specs on all the handy dandy used gear I bought, and make sure the rope I decided to buy was compatible. Because not all gear will work properly (or sometimes at all) with rope of the wrong diameter.

Also, assumptions won't really help....go to the arborist supply store, and put your hands on the different ropes. Then you'll have an easy time of deciding what you want to buy. Buy some books while you're there.

BTW, to this point I don't think you've ever said what you were climbing on now......So, what are you climbing on now?

 

[mattfr12]

my rope bridge is true blue.

cant have much more faith in a line than that.

thats what i started on but when foot locking and hip thrusting thier is alot of stretch in it. i always felt like i was moving 4 feet and only getting 2.