Quality climbing rope opinions?

[TonyG]

Since this the single most important piece of equipment you'll but for tree work (IMO), let's keep cost out of the opinions. Simply state the "best" climbing ropes made...1/2" give or take a little.
Best describes safest, quality, strength, durability etc.

Thanks,
Tony

 

[Stumper]

Hard to beat New England Safety Blue.

 

[kf_tree]

i'm kind of fond of xtc lately.....oh wait you were talking about climbing lines right?

 

[Lumberjack]

I like arbormaster. Its spliceable on both ends and wears like iron. Its easy to splice and it works for me on DdRT and SRT.

I use the safety blue as a rigging line, Asplund uses safety blue as their climbing line here. I like arbormaster alot and would really love to find a place where I could get gold streak or BRW by the foot.

Anyone want to half a full reel of goldstreak with me from sherrill? I need at least 250' but will gladly take 400 if you want a more common 200' piece, PM me if interested. I would really like the goldstreak to be my next line.

 

[Cotreewhisperer]

I climb on the fly and love it! Different feel to it then 1/2" ropes. I am hoping to get some KM III for an ascent line- heard that it is great for SRT.

 

[knudeNoggin]

It would help to have responses say what ropes have
been tried, of which whatever is/are preferred. (One
person rooting for XTC and another for Safety Blue
isn't necessarily conflicting unless each has tried both
of those ropes!) --like saying "the Blake's is the best
hitch I've used", one needs the context of "I've used"
to assess that.

(-;

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Does anyone that has used the Blaze, not think it is the best climbing rope? If so, you're stupid and your opinion doesn't matter.

 

[kf_tree]

ok then ......i did not like trueblue at all.i was very happy with blue streak, but decided to try xtc and currently prefer that.

 

[Dadatwins]

Does anyone that has used the Blaze, not think it is the best climbing rope? If so, you're stupid and your opinion doesn't matter.

Thank you Mr. Mass for not holding back and giving your honest opinion, RJS would be proud of that comment.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Does anyone that has used the Blaze, not think it is the best climbing rope? If so, you're stupid and your opinion doesn't matter.

I'm liking my Fire, pretty much!

 

[Tom Dunlap]

half inch=any XTC
11mm=Blaze

I've climbed on most of the ropes on the market. These two ropes are much nicer than the #2 ropes on either list.

 

[Stumper]

Okay , in deference to Knudenoggin's suggestion. I have climbed on :
Manila
Manilene/Unmanila
Three strand Nylon
Arborplex
Wall 3 strand Polyester Arborist rope
New England KMIII
Safety Blue 3 Strand
Safety Blue
YellowJacket
Arborgold
I haven't climbed on XTC but have heard nothing but good about it. I handled some and thought it would be nice.
I have some ProSpec that handles nice but I haven't climbed on it (it was used when I got it so is relegated to light rigging).

Of all of those I have climbed on I like Safety Blue the best.

 

[basnighttrees]

I started on ArborPlex and know I am using Velosity. I loved it until I cut the jacket with my chainsaw hanging off my saddle. I did it while coming out of the tree without holding the tail end of my line far away from the saw on my side. I also was using a three loop prusik desending quickly and slowed down too fast. I burnt the jacket. I and kwow using the knot with 8mm rope. I works much better then prusik. My next rope will be another 11mm that is brighter in color. Now that the leave are coming out good, I notice the velocity looks just like the bottom side of green leaves. Not good for the ground guys to see easy.

 

[KentuckySawyer]

Most of the climbing I've done was on High Vee and a bit on a rope called Spearmint (I don't think Sherrill carries it anymore, which is good). I like the piece of Blue Streak I have now.

What is the deal with XTC? Why so great?
Also, do 11mm lines feel significantly different? Is the smaller diameter harder to grip or footlock on?