The Bachman knot, a much different kind of friction hitch.

[pdqdl]

I stumbled across this today; it looks somewhat practical.

Has anyone ever tried this friction hitch out?

 

[audible fart]

 

[acer-kid]

it looks somewhat practical.

Context?

 

[pdqdl]

The usual context; any arboricultural use whatsoever. This is the forum where arborists do cool stuff like climbing trees with ropes, isn't it?

Climbing, rigging, whatever. If you have used this friction hitch to tether your dog on the back porch, I would be happy to hear about it.

 

[acer-kid]

I wouldn't use it climbing. Or rigging. Hence why I was asking in which context you hoped to use it.

 

[derwoodii]

ah Bach! radar O'reilly its prusik with handle neat, while there many utube vids showing how to tie dress the knot i could not find any showing it in use perhaps is a reason for this ..

 

[anlrolfe]

Prusik applies clamping/friction above and below and isn't direction specific.
As shown, this Bachmann is intended to clamp downwards. Use a pair and handy as ascenders with "handles".

 

[Zale]

I don't think it would run as smooth as ascenders. Once, you put any weight into it, the knot will lock up.

 

[acer-kid]

I can't imagine it reliably grabbing. Could that carabiner not work as a "fair lead" of sorts.. Not quite letting the hitch put the full bend in the host line like it should? I'll give it a whirl and report back.

 

[DR. P. Proteus]

I used it once or twice long ago in conjunction with my foot ascender. It worked pretty good on a single rope ascension, you could rest on it then wiggle it loose with the beener.

 

[pdqdl]

I think it's common usage is by the mountain climbers, which would be an SRT application. All the friction hitches I know of don't work in SRT, so I was thinking this might not bind up as much. Obviously an ascender would be better for going up a rope, but they just don't work at all going the other direction.

So how did it work as a descender, Dr P.? I don't imagine I would want to be forced to wiggle it loose each time I wanted to go down.

 

[DR. P. Proteus]

I think it's common usage is by the mountain climbers, which would be an SRT application. All the friction hitches I know of don't work in SRT, so I was thinking this might not bind up as much. Obviously an ascender would be better for going up a rope, but they just don't work at all going the other direction.

So how did it work as a descender, Dr P.? I don't imagine I would want to be forced to wiggle it loose each time I wanted to go down.

I used it when I was just getting started in the business to get up a tall tree, after I got paid for the job I went and got a real ascender.

This Bachman is probably not going to be of much use, I think its an outdated technique. Its OK for going up a single line, not very comfortable on the hands, I would imagine trying to come down on it would be sketchy.

 

[Zale]

This prussic type knot would not be good for coming down. Bad things could happen.

 

[pdqdl]

I see that I will need to experiment.
Don't worry, guys. I haven't killed myself yet, and this self-taught thing has worked for me so far.

 

[Zale]

Since you are currently Captain Obvious, I'm sure you will see all the negative implications.

 

[pdqdl]

One of which would be that if a friction hitch is good for going up a rope, it isn't going to drop you going down. Even a VT is quite reliable if you pay just a little bit of attention to it.

Nobody gave me a "Captain Obvious" award in this forum. Such comments are deleterious to the sharing of information. Save that for WTF please.

When I joined ArboristSite a long time ago, this forum was filled with conversations (and arguments) about best techniques to use, stories about difficult situations, and I was introduced to a higher level of arboricultural understanding. Then came the endless conflict and controversy between all the competing egos, and many of the folks that I admired quit hanging out here. During that time, I also found very few reasons to participate, and I pretty much abandoned visiting any of the forums except the WTF thread. I believe that ridicule and sarcasm have no place in this forum, thank you.

And on that note, I think I will depart Commercial Tree Care & Climbing for a while. It still doesn't feel warm & fuzzy enough here for me.

 

[Del_]

I stumbled across this today; it looks somewhat practical.

Has anyone ever tried this friction hitch out?

Look into the Klemheist Knot. It's almost the same as the Bachmann you are showing but no biner is needed. The Bachmann is discussed but I see zero advantage to using it as there are better choices.

http://www.animatedknots.com/klemhe...jpgamp;Website=www.animatedknots.com&Website=

 

[pdqdl]

Prusik applies clamping/friction above and below and isn't direction specific.
As shown, this Bachmann is intended to clamp downwards. Use a pair and handy as ascenders with "handles".

I don't know of any applications in tree work where bi-directional holding is important. Mountain climbing...yes. I don't know of any popular friction hitch in arborist use that holds well in both directions. For the most part, we want that friction hitch to slip easily in the "up" direction. This would be the primary reason that the prussic is so seldom used, except perhaps on old-school lanyards.

 

[Zale]

One of which would be that if a friction hitch is good for going up a rope, it isn't going to drop you going down. Even a VT is quite reliable if you pay just a little bit of attention to it.

If you are foot locking on double rope, the prussic should only be used for ascending. If you place your hand above the knot to release the friction, you will hurt yourself.

 

[Zale]

That didn't come out right. The last line is mine.