Black-Max

[mikecross23]

Anyone use Black-Max 1/2" climbing line. Considering trying it and would like to know if it is similar to New England Safety blue. Tie good knots? Durable? Easily spliced? The product description says it weights the same and has the same average breaking strength.

Comments. . .

Anyone?.?.?.?

-Mike-

 

[seanlarkin]

Mike,
We're having a 20% off sale on our three Sherrill ropes this month. Yellow Jacket is a good rope and we've gotten the production issues nailed down with Samson, and they are producing it consistently well. Heck, even Rocky likes it.

 

[tshanefreeman]

I have 2 - 150' lengths of Black-Max.

Decent rope for the money you pay to get it. It ties knots just fine. I honestly don't think you will be able to tell the difference between Safety Blue and this rope in question.

The rope may be slightly waxy to the touch, but so are most new ropes.

The only thing that I didn't care for was the fact that the outer sheath had a lot of stretch in it....................therefore, if you don't milk the excess off of the inner core, you may find the sheath bunching underneath your attachment knot. However, once milked, the rope is fine.

If you aren't familiar with rope milking, all you have to do is tie one end of the rope to a solid structure, like a tree. Tie on your favorite friction knot...............perhaps a Blakes or Tautline.................lean back and slowly let slack through the knot. You will find that the sheath will to begin bunch. Milk the rope all the way, until your knot falls off the opposite end of the rope. Repeat until all stretch is gone.................then, the rope is great.

I personally have gone to Blue Streak with eye-splice.............high tensile breaking strength and no excess bulkiness!

 

[NickfromWI]

Black max

I only have seen one BlackMax in use. It belongs to another AS-er. He's had it and used it heavily for I think 2-3 years. The thing still looks brand spanking new. I didn't really like that. I like when my ropes develop that fuzz.
Depending on your point of view, this aspect could be good or bad.

love
nick

 

[mikecross23]

I want to order a 600' spool. The main reason I want it is for rigging. I've been using 1/2" three strand for my light rigging, but it's too stiff and doesn't tie good knots, however it is cheap. I figure w/ 600' of 16 strand rope I'll have plenty, get a price break, and can also use it for lanyards and life lines when mine wear out. Just have to be careful having too many of the same ropes so the groundies don't get confused!

If it's as durable as you say Nick, then it would be great for a lowering line.

Thanks for the comments folks.

-Mike-

 

[tshanefreeman]

If your planning on using Black-Max for a rigging line...........keep in mind that it is black and white............very similiar to sticks and debris!

My groundie actually cut one in half while bucking up some limbs. He claimed that he honestly couldn't tell that the rope was there until the fibres started to fly!

 

[Tree Machine]

Black Max

I was doing some SRT on my black max today. Have had it two years and I really don't use it much, but today, for some reason I chose it. I've had it longer than any other rope, I guess because I don't use it much. But it is a good rope. It's a small 1/2" as far as 1/2" ropes go, and mine still has that waxy feel (probably because I don't use it much). No milking problems.

I would never consider using it as a lowering line. I've been through a lot of ropes and the Black Max just doesn't 'seem' like it would handle loads and high friction very well. It just handles like a good climbing rope. 1/2" stable braid would definitely be my suggestion for lowering line for light -medium duty rigging. If you've been using stable braid and just want a different color, call Sampson and see if they can make you a reel in a color of your choosing. Just my opinion. -TM-