Where did this come from?

[rahtreelimbs]

I am having the roof replaced on my house. One of the helpers told me that he climbs trees for extra money. When we got to talking he asked me if I knew what a Suicide knot was. After talking for a while, I found out that he was referring to a climbing hitch. Turns out he uses a Tautline hitch. I showed him the Blake hitch, who knows if he will use it. Also, he had no clue about climbing without spikes or what footlocking was. I don't know where he got his info on climbing. I just thought it was odd!

 

[treeclimber165]

Boy, that brings back memories! I remember the first time another climber showed me the tautline hitch. He told me to tie it with two wraps under and two wraps over. This was slightly different from the way he tied his own, which was 3 wraps under and 1 wrap over. He told me that his knot was called a devil's grip. I have never heard that term used since.
Oh, and I never met a climber who could climb without spikes until about 8 years ago. Shortly after that I started climbing trims without gaffs. And don't even talk to me about footlocking. I believe it is some sort of witchcraft and must be truly evil.

 

[Toddppm]

That's what we used to call a tautline with only one wrap on top. That's what I was taught to use first

 

[Treeman14]

Ummm, gee, welll I'm almost afraid to admit this, but I use a tautline hitch with two under and one over. Always have and will continue to do so until Brian comes over next month and shows me some of those new-fangled techniques.

I am not a Neandertal (that's an old pic). I regularly attend workshops, seminars, and read the latest books and mags. I just haven't had any problems with my tautline hitch and haven't seen a need to change now. If it ain't broke...

However, I AM willing to try something new. Just show me the tangible benefits.

 

[underwor]

I started climbing in 1967 using a 2 over 2 under tautline. Soon went to 1 over 2 under to keep it from tightening to the point that it would not move. Although I show my students 4 or 5 choices to use, I still use this. I just automatically cinch it up good before I put weight on it each time. Also keep tail between thumb and forefinger when decending so that I can tighten things up if need. I have it tied very close to my saddle, so reaching the knot is not a problem.

Bob

 

[rahtreelimbs]

I found all of these names and lack of not even knowing the word footlocking interesting.

 

[DDM]

Brett, Wait till Brian shows you his new fangled Knot You wont want to ever use the tautline again.

 

[Greg]

And go ahead and buy the pantin now, Brian has sold several of those for Sherrill.

 

[BigJohn]

I think the pantin is a waste of money. I too once thought I wanted one until I learned that I too could footlock well. I fist started out with the tautline. I used it for several years and it worked great for me at the time and I didn't know any better. Today I had to foot lock up after a rope that got hung in V crotch and I used it come down. I haven't used that knot in about 3 years. Now I use some different variationis of the french prussic, VT, and howard hitch all in one. You may even want to give the Turner twist a try.

 

[treeclimber165]

BigJohn,
Are you one of those evil devil-worshipers who is capable of footlocking up a rope?


I can easily see where the Pantin would be of no use to someone capable of doing unnatural things with their feet, like footlocking up a rope. For the rest of us, it is a great time and energy saver.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Originally posted by BigJohn
I think the pantin is a waste of money. I too once thought I wanted one until I learned that I too could footlock well. I fist started out with the tautline. I used it for several years and it worked great for me at the time and I didn't know any better. Today I had to foot lock up after a rope that got hung in V crotch and I used it come down. I haven't used that knot in about 3 years. Now I use some different variationis of the french prussic, VT, and howard hitch all in one. You may even want to give the Turner twist a try.

How about a pic of this combo hitch. What is a Turner twist?

 

[murphy4trees]

If Big Jon posts a pic... the cat is definately out of the bag...
That is a sweet knot... Maybe i'll get a pic to post next time we work together....