Prussic cord

[climb4fun]

lots of different cords out there. we all use different cord and rope combinations as well as different friction hitches. id like this thread to be basic, blunt and to the point. what friction hitch, prussic and rope are you climbing on or have climbed on? how long did the prussic cord last? did it glaze easily? was it too grabby or to slick? what different cords have you climbed on and what differences have you noticed? i'll begin by saying that im climbing on a Lava rope boss lifeline with an 8mm Armor prus lime eye to eye cord with a VT friction hitch. it works really well and im happy with the setup. prussic burned from a 15 ft high speed repel/fall catch in an srt setup though (i was limb walking and the branch flipped out from under me, i had the knot in my hand so it was half engaged, glazed the prussic really bad but saved my tail feathers). all in all im happy with it. although the prussic was a bit too grabby for going down a static line after that fall, naturally i am waiting for a new one.

 

[climb4fun]

also, anybody have any experience with sampson's ice tail prussic cord? they say it "wont melt" lol! i doubt it wont melt, but is it any good?

 

[Nemus Talea]

Ok, I'll play. I only climb DDRT. Been using Arbormaster with Ice tied into 4 wrap 3 braid VT for three years. Been changing the wrap and braids lately. Grabs and releases nice on 13mm line. Haven't done any wild burn outs with it but have done some long hot descents with only minor fuzzing and pilling. It picks and gets gummy with crud but washes up good. I buy it bulk so I always have 3 or 4 ready to go. For those who dont mind, it knots nice. Not the sexiest, most exotic stuff, but a solid performer.
Used to use 5/16 beeline but it wouldn't grab the big dia. line as eagerly. It would also glaze dirt and flatten - hard to advance! hard to advance! then... went for a wild ride.

 

[ATH]

I have only used bee line and ice...I am opposite of the last poster: I like the 8mm beeline, but did not like the ice. I have use bee lineon:
Sampson Arbormaster
Yale Bluemoon
Yale XTC
New England Tachyon

I only used the ice on Arbormaster, because it glazed over very quickly and I haven't had it out of the bag since.

 

[beastmaster]

I use beeline and think its great. I am carefull not to burn out of trees and and get a lot of mileage out of it. I also flip it every so often so I can use all of it and prevents it from flatting out or glazing real bad. Washing it every once in a while doesn't hurt either. I tried to melt the ends of some I had, and even on a gas stove it wouldn't melt. I see they have a new bee line black that even has a higher heat Resistance, might be worth checking out.

 

[Nemus Talea]

Opposite observations, thats interesting. To be fair to the beeline, my cord was a bit too short, I didn't wash my climb line often enough and I frequently descended f a s t. My Ice has it easier because I am much better about switching to my figure 8.
I have heard contrasting opinions regarding prusics, climb line and friction knots. What variables effect the different findings? Just weight and friction at TIP and knot?
I am a lanky 6'+, 180lbs kinda long reach, hitch advanced with large dog snap, House conduit or leather limb saver. I tie my friction in different lengths, my shortest Ice works best... 26" if I remember.

 

[Nemus Talea]

I am curious about beeline black as well. Thinking about some fancy, high tech climb line too. Vortex? Matching line and prussic cord all over again! Bugger!
I understand the old school guys on tautline hitches, they know what has worked for years and don't care for the trouble of figuring it out again.