Let's talk 24 strand!

[MasterBlaster]

And I'm talking 'bout Velocity! I'm fixing to order, and I imagine I just hafta try it. I did a search and not much showed up... I guess it's stihl new.

So, anybody gotta opinion? I guess it's gotta be better, eh?

Or, iz it like the Fly.... :alien:

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Until the coating wears off you'll find it very sticky. After that, the word seems to be that it performs well.

 

[MasterBlaster]

So, I should throw it in the Maytag? Tootsweet?

And what's the diff in feel/whatnot concerning the 24 strand?

Nuttin, honey?

 

[Davidsinatree]

I looked at some today when I was picking up a pole extension from the vermeer store. That 24 strand looks like a smaller dia rope. It was in the plastic package so I didnt get to feel it to see how flexible it is. I dont like small dia rope. It sure was purdy blue and green.
I think about all the big rope manufactures were represented on this rope display rack.....and I was standing there drooling all over the purdy colored ropes for sale. I was thinking the best looking rope was Yale fire and Samson true blue.

 

[Ekka]

Hey MB

Here's the link http://www.samsonrope.com/home/newarborist/index2.cfm

and just click on the pdf file download.

It was used at our last Arbor Camp, used for footlocking as it's sticky, it's light but it's 11mm dia which I think really sucks.

Personally I didn't like it but some guys did ... the weight factor is what they liked as some guys do big trees all the time and want a rope that reaches the ground.

Looks like it's only 1lb per 100' lighter than the std 1/2" stuff anyway.

Don't get too exited, it's just another rope.

 

[a_lopa]

10mm is to small IMO so i cant see 11 being any better

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

The three 24 strands I have tried are Fly, Blaze and Velocity.
The Velocity is very stiff, the Blaze is very limp, and the Fly is between the two. This stiffness is what some guys refer to as hand or subtleness.
The coating on the Velocity is something else. Too sticky for use with the hitch I normally use. I haven't tried washing it yet.
The Blaze is the best, hands down, IMO.

If you didn't like the Fly, I can't imagine you'd like the Blaze or Velocity much more.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Then, it's official... I won't get it!

I didn't know the Fly was 24.

I'm gonna go with the Yale Fire.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Actually, I was wondering what the big benefit was from a 24 strand rope. If it's smaller, I ain't gonna like it much for what I want.

Cool.

 

[Husky288XP]

MB just stick with the NE 16 strand High Vee, its still one of the best in my opinion as a splicer.

 

[treeseer]

I washe dthe velocity and it's still too sticky for the knots I usually use. MB if you're still on the tlh forget it; it'll drive ya kuhrazee. I love the lightness and the feel; but then I'm used to 10m mountaineering rope. With the vt it handles ok.

 

[mikecross23]

I love my velocity rope. Smaller diameter and light. My friction hitch opens right up and pretty much takes out slack by itself w/ the small diameter rope. Only used it for 2 weeks and I think it'll be a lot better when the heavy coating wears off a bit.
I don't know how T.L. friendly it will be though.

 

[NickfromWI]

Butch, did you order yet? Yale made a version of Blaze for Sherrill. They call it poison ivy. It's a 24 strand that is like 11.5mm. You wouldn't think that lil' bit would make a difference, but it's noticeably easier to grab. It's amazing how much of a difference .5mm can be when a rope is in your hand!

That said I prefer the straight 11mm Blaze.

MB, you asked "...Actually, I was wondering what the big benefit was from a 24 strand rope. If it's smaller, I ain't gonna like it much for what I want...."

The strand count is not what makes it smaller. You could just as easily have a 24 strand rope of 1.5" diameter. What is good about the 24 strand is 2 things:

1- The rope feels rounder in tension. You know how 12 strand tends to get square when loaded? 16 strands is much better at staying round. 24 is even better yet.
2- Double braid rope sometimes herniates. The core some how works it's way out of the cover. It's a hassle to get it back in and it often comes right back out. To put all those strands in the cover, they had to make the cover strands smaller. This makes smaller holes between each strand, lessening the chance of the core popping out. Compare the difficulty of getting the core out of Blaze to getting the core out of 11mm Double Esterlon. Granted there are other factors to be considered, but you get the idea.

I hear washing Velocity doesn't do much to remove the coating as the coating was designed to be water and wear resistant.

The Blaze works fine for topline hitch and the blakes. But you might end up needing some sticky gloves.

Let us know how it goes! Ask Sherrill about the Poison Ivy!

love
nick

 

[Lumberjack]

How is a smaller line easier to grab? I would think it would be the opposite, bigger=easier.

 

[MasterBlaster]

I think you're right, Carl. Anyhoo, I'm gonna order a hank of Fire from Oaktreedude.

 

[Stumper]

How is a smaller line easier to grab? I would think it would be the opposite, bigger=easier.

Carl, I think that was Nick's point- Velocity and Blaze are 11mm but the P.Ivy is 11.5-making it a bit easier to grab but smaller and lighter than 1/2 inch lines which come out to about 13mm.

 

[Lumberjack]

Oh I thought he meant it was easier to grab than 1/2" ropes, my bad.

 

[NickfromWI]

Sorry bouts the confusion. thanks for setting it straight, stumper.