braided or twisted climbing line?

[voxac30dude]

just wondering what you guys use and prefer for a climbing line. since we do tree work and are not rock climbers we need rope that is super abrasion resistant right?(rhetorical question). so anyways. have you ever used a twisted rope like the samson tree master? how reliable are they? http://www.wesspur.com/rope/tree-master.html

 

[Blakesmaster]

just wondering what you guys use and prefer for a climbing line. since we do tree work and are not rock climbers we need rope that is super abrasion resistant right?(rhetorical question). so anyways. have you ever used a twisted rope like the samson tree master? how reliable are they? http://www.wesspur.com/rope/tree-master.html

Dude, what? No. Do friction hitches even work on that crap? There are many braided lines that are extremely abrasion resistant. A lot of the newer lines aren't but people are getting mad into using friction savers all the time.

 

[lego1970]

I started out with a 3 strand rope and recently had a 3 strand lanyard. Yes, a tautline works on it. They are fine and do the job but I like a 12 or 16 strand better. I could be wrong but it seems to me like this last 3 strand lanyard didn't last very long and I was constantly burning off nicks and small cuts from it, where as my 12 strand rope that gets stabbed by my gaffs every now and then, and occasionaly rubs against my handsaw (need a new sheath), etc, etc. lasted twice as long.

 

[Tree Pig]

just wondering what you guys use and prefer for a climbing line. since we do tree work and are not rock climbers we need rope that is super abrasion resistant right?(rhetorical question). so anyways. have you ever used a twisted rope like the samson tree master? how reliable are they? http://www.wesspur.com/rope/tree-master.html

why do you ask are you looking to save money on climb line? If so I would get the best 16 strand rope you can afford as a minimum.

you can try this stuff I bought some and I am quite happy with it. You will get a lot of responses on here about not skimping on climb line (lifeline) but I am 270 and I found it quite durable, safe and dependable.

http://www.knotandrope.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=27&idproduct=579

 

[pdqdl]

I started on 3 strand, too.

3 strand is ok, and a tautline hitch holds great. Too great, in fact. You may find that you need 3 loops over and 3 loops under just to be able to slide the thing. There were a couple of times I nearly got stuck in the tree.

And YES, when you slide down out of the tree it will coil up beneath you like a giant snake that got run over by a car. It is even worse on a new rope. The rougher texture is harder on the trees too. There is a reason not too many climbers use 3 strand anymore. I think the 3-strand is still quite popular with painters, window washers, etc., since they are mostly using the rope as a safety, not as their primary support.

If you are just looking to save money, buy some Arborplex. Cheap, tough, strong. MUCH easier to handle, and it doesn't twist up.

Historical note: My first climbing saddle was all leather, consisting of a belt and two leg loops. It was well used, and was sold to me as one of the "original nutcrackers". I replaced the natural fiber rope that held it all together with some really nice nylon 3-strand that I spliced up. It was a very comfortable saddle, and I sometimes wish I still used it. Of course, it would only have fit me, since I spliced it to my size. Oops...additional years and pounds changed all that.

 

[arborist]

just wondering what you guys use and prefer for a climbing line. since we do tree work and are not rock climbers we need rope that is super abrasion resistant right?(rhetorical question). so anyways. have you ever used a twisted rope like the samson tree master? how reliable are they? http://www.wesspur.com/rope/tree-master.html

Oh man.Don't climb on 3 strand.We don't miss those days lol.
Grab yourself a hank of Arbormaster!:lifter:

 

[pdqdl]

For the guys on a budget: Arbor-plex. The best cheap rope you can buy.

http://www.wesspur.com/rope/arbor-plex-half-inch-rope.html

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

i think 3 strand has it's uses, but as for a climbing line the twist, coiling, 'dents' that the friction hitch slides over (less smooth) etc. give some negatives that are easily avoided with a braided line.

As a split tail for Tautline / Blake's / lanyard prussik etc.(riding on a host braided line) 3 strand isn't too bad, and is very long wearing. The 3 strand friction hitch on a braid gives some 'unique' holding characteristics IMLHO.

i remember being on 3 strand and having to follow a climber around painting his cuts, to L-earn(after free climbing for a few years on own). Sometimes the positioning seemed harder for that than for the cutter; but, perhaps that was the point!

Favorite 3 strand came to be Safety Blue HyVee; the safety stripe even making eye splicing easier.

 

[pdqdl]

Here is something you will NEVER do with a braided rope

Three strand has a lot to be said for it, in some applications. You can splice it VERY easily. Here is the most secure prussic/friction knot in existence. It CANNOT come undone, as it it part of the rope itself.

Closer:

I used to make safety lanyards this way, having seen it done by another tree service. Too much friction compared to a micro-scender, and I never went back. Doubled rope on a lanyard isn't my preference either.

 

[WolverineMarine]

Braided..no question in my mind..we use 3 strand for work line and I think thats even kinda antiqued..I use super braid for use in my own side work when I use work lines..maybe I'm new generation..I dunno..I dont like the twisted mess you can get into when you're all done sometimes..I used to work with the BIG 3 strand stuff when I had to work on ship in the service..and it sucked..might be biased that way..

 

[treemandan]

Three strand has a lot to be said for it, in some applications. You can splice it VERY easily. Here is the most secure prussic/friction knot in existence. It CANNOT come undone, as it it part of the rope itself.

Closer:

I used to make safety lanyards this way, having seen it done by another tree service. Too much friction compared to a micro-scender, and I never went back. Doubled rope on a lanyard isn't my preference either.

yes, i keep some of that around for cheap and easy eye splices too.

 

[BlackenedTimber]

Defiantely get some Samson Arborplex if your on a budget, you wont be disappointed. I like a distel on arborplex, or you could get ballsy and run a VT, which will have excellent response (bee line or ice tail eye-to-eye IMO, with micro-pulley) but may be a little too advanced if your new to climbing.

As for 3-strand, I like the Samson pro-master for natural-crotch rigging, because it is cheap, and holds up fairly well.