What rope for a ridgline?

**AduroNox** · 09-20-2010, 23:55

So what rope should I use? I hear amsteel is ok, but can I tie it? What about arrowhead equipment's 1.75mm utility line? Help?

-Aduro

**optimator** · 09-21-2010, 00:15

Originally Posted by AduroNox

So what rope should I use? I hear amsteel is ok, but can I tie it? What about arrowhead equipment's 1.75mm utility line? Help?

-Aduro

Either one is fine. And yes you can tie Amsteel.

**Jsaults** · 09-21-2010, 07:52

Amsteel, polyester or polypropylene work well IMO. Since I am a regular customer of Cookes Custom Sewing (a premier source of flat canoeing tarps and accessories) I just use their yellow polyester accessory cord with a small S-biner on one end and a Nite Eyz Figure 9 at the other..

Jim

**AduroNox** · 09-23-2010, 01:08

With amsteel, would, say, a taughtline hitch hold? Or would I have to use hardware?

-Aduro

**Silverlion** · 09-23-2010, 01:25

I used 1/8" Amsteel. I used a locked brummel on each end. Here's a how to:

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=13328

**obmit** · 09-23-2010, 07:06

How did you accomplish a locked brummel on the second end after creating the first one? Don't you have to pull the long end back thru the amsteel or am I missing something?

**johnfolsomjr** · 09-23-2010, 07:09

I've got a 7/64" whoppie sling made up for my ridge line so I can play with the length. It's clove hitched at one end and run through a small carabiner at the other end.

**Bubba** · 09-23-2010, 09:54

Originally Posted by obmit

How did you accomplish a locked brummel on the second end after creating the first one? Don't you have to pull the long end back thru the amsteel or am I missing something?

It's possible to pull the first/completed end through the other one.
There is also a way to do it without having to pull the completed end through. I just have to find it.

EDIT: Found it. It's called the McDonald locked brummel. Check out TiredFeet"s thread here

**thekalimist** · 09-23-2010, 10:20

Originally Posted by obmit

How did you accomplish a locked brummel on the second end after creating the first one? Don't you have to pull the long end back thru the amsteel or am I missing something?

i use 7/64" amsteel with locked brummels on each end.

i use this technique to do so (minus the thimble):

http://www.precourt.ca/brummel_splice.pdf

**Pitch** · 09-23-2010, 10:30

I've been making pieces of line with loops on each end out of dyneema.

I accomplish the splice / loops using Opie's wire tool (steel wire bent over itself).

I'm able to easily pull one completed loop through the other side to form the other loop (hope that makes sense). Using Dyneema of a very small diameter - maybe 1.5mm? Not sure. Got it from an tree service website. Should be plenty strong enough for a ridge line.

Knots in Dyneema / Spectra / Amsteel etc is really a no-no unless the line you are using is super over-rated for the job. In addition, many knots that hold fast in conventional line will slip in these types of rope (including bowline which freaked me out one day).

Now that I know how to do some basic splicing I'll always use them over a knot if possible and I have the time. Give it a try!

-X