Hey All,
Just a ? about tarps I know that you guys know the answer to,I am using a crl on my superfly with a dutch hook on the end and a wasp on the other with dutch beeniers on prussic knots on each end and mitten hooks on doors then tarp flyz on stake outs and a homemade pole mod all wraped up in snake skins.The ? is will all this hardware damage the tarp when its all wadded up in the stuff sack,Would hate to have holes in my new tarp!
Over time they will certainly wear things more than if they weren't there, but it's going to take a long time and a lot of use to get to that point. I'd bet you rip or tear something in an accidental moment with the wind and branches, etc. before your hardware does any damage. If you think about it, many tarps come with D-rings or Split rings attached. If the manufacturers were nervous about the wear that hardware is causing they wouldn't put those on the guy out points either. Just my thoughts, your experience may vary. I personally pack my CRL separate from my Superfly so I don't have as much hardware as you but I do have mitten hooks and tarpworms that stay permanently attached. It takes a bit more time to set up and take down with the CRL stored separately but I like keeping them apart, especially since I have a couple of different tarps and hammocks and that way I can keep one organizer with stakes, CRL, whoopies, etc. (basically everything I need to hang my hammock and tarp) and use it on any of my hammock/tarp combinations. Good luck.
I use snake skins for all my Tarps sil and Cuben. I wrap up the CRL on both ends and the whole thing still goes into a stuff sack. That way everything is in a nice neat package and no chance of the Dutch hook or wasp tearing anything. The tiny bit of extra weight is worth the peace of mind and makes it easier to store in my pack.
I've yet to hear Dutch Bling from being the cause of damage to a tarp by normal wear and tear.
I used a hollow metal toggle on one end of CRL to attach to tree and on the other end on a prussic for years to attach my tarp CRL before switching to a Dutch Hook and Dutch Fleaz respectively to adjust the tarp CRL with no damage using that. Now, I'm beginning my second season using the bling with no problems yet and this is while hanging thru Summer as well.
Even with all this confidence in the hardware, always check your gear before and after each hang.
Enjoy and have fun with your family,before they have fun without you
Dutch runs all his bling through a tumbler to polish off the burs and sharp edges. So long as you're not crushing the tarp between some hardware and a hard surface I think you'll be fine.
Bling is great but I'm kind of a "purist" I guess and also a cheapskate. I just use prussics (actually klemheists) and tie a bunch of knots.
Thanks Guys!
I've always kept metal or hard objects away from tarps or flies while packed, just in case.
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