"Better" soft shackle question

[yenemy]

So I was looking around for resources on making soft shackles (ordered a spool of 7/64 Amsteel with my buddy, so lots of stuff to play with), and I came across L-36.com, the author of which wrote this page, entitled "Better Soft Shackle" -- a soft shackle variant that's easier to open and close.

I made one a couple days ago as my first ever splicing project -- lots of fun, and much easier than I anticipated -- but aside from this page, I can't really find any reference to this type of soft shackle anywhere. Does anyone know if there's a reason for this -- insecurity, weakness, etc?

From his write-up and my own inspection of the shackle, it seems no more or less secure than a "normal" soft shackle, easier to use, and a more elegant solution overall.

I ask mainly because I'm going to make a few more for a friend -- I assume for use with a hammock suspension -- and want to make sure there are no potential safety issues lurking with this variation.

[GrizzlyAdams]

So I was looking around for resources on making soft shackles (ordered a spool of 7/64 Amsteel with my buddy, so lots of stuff to play with), and I came across L-36.com, the author of which wrote this page, entitled "Better Soft Shackle" -- a soft shackle variant that's easier to open and close.

I made one a couple days ago as my first ever splicing project -- lots of fun, and much easier than I anticipated -- but aside from this page, I can't really find any reference to this type of soft shackle anywhere. Does anyone know if there's a reason for this -- insecurity, weakness, etc?

From his write-up and my own inspection of the shackle, it seems no more or less secure than a "normal" soft shackle, easier to use, and a more elegant solution overall.

I ask mainly because I'm going to make a few more for a friend -- I assume for use with a hammock suspension -- and want to make sure there are no potential safety issues lurking with this variation.

I made exactly one soft shackle the way they are "normally" done, did not like the difficulty of opening it, and thought of the same loop as shown in your link, have been using that, mostly, since, on bridge hammock suspensions. When I don't use it I instead put a sliding knot around the loop and slide it up to close around the knot. That works well too and is even easier to undo.

So long as you penetrate the cord through its center and not off to the side, I don't see why this should be unsafe.

[Theo]

I made exactly one soft shackle the way they are "normally" done, did not like the difficulty of opening it, and thought of the same loop as shown in your link, have been using that, mostly, since, on bridge hammock suspensions. When I don't use it I instead put a sliding knot around the loop and slide it up to close around the knot. That works well too and is even easier to undo.

So long as you penetrate the cord through its center and not off to the side, I don't see why this should be unsafe.

I had pretty much the same problems with opening one, also (arthritic hands). The sliding knot works well with my hands. I started with using a cobra stitch until I saw your video and went "Duh !". Much easier to do than the cobra stitch when my hands are bothering me.

[DemostiX]

I asked Allen Edwards at http://www.l-36.com/soft_shackle_9.php if he could enhance his javascript calculator for soft-shackle making to include 7/64" Amsteel Blue popular here. Allen had some cord on hand to make shackles with, so between a few tests and his model of cord behavior, the update is now part of the calculator.

But, he asks that you test, if possible, to see if he got it right and report to him how the calculator gets it wrong with 7/64" cord so he can modify it, if necessary.

[Bubba]

I asked Allen Edwards at http://www.l-36.com/soft_shackle_9.php if he could enhance his javascript calculator for soft-shackle making to include 7/64" Amsteel Blue popular here. Allen had some cord on hand to make shackles with, so between a few tests and his model of cord behavior, the update is now part of the calculator.

But, he asks that you test, if possible, to see if he got it right and report to him how the calculator gets it wrong with 7/64" cord so he can modify it, if necessary.

Thanks DemostiX

[yenemy]

I asked Allen Edwards at http://www.l-36.com/soft_shackle_9.php if he could enhance his javascript calculator for soft-shackle making to include 7/64" Amsteel Blue popular here. Allen had some cord on hand to make shackles with, so between a few tests and his model of cord behavior, the update is now part of the calculator.

But, he asks that you test, if possible, to see if he got it right and report to him how the calculator gets it wrong with 7/64" cord so he can modify it, if necessary.

Will do; it will come in handy as I make more of these.

On my run through his shackle, I just did the conversions from 1/8" by hand... since 1/8 = 8/64, you just multiply his 1/8" figures by 7/8, I believe.

[DemostiX]

Will do; it will come in handy as I make more of these.

On my run through his shackle, I just did the conversions from 1/8" by hand... since 1/8 = 8/64, you just multiply his 1/8" figures by 7/8, I believe.

I had not thought through that proportionality in the metric of the diameter would hold for two very different operations: burying one end in a greater length of the cover that shortens as it gets stuffed; and the spherical knot ball taking shape. But, great if it is that simple.

[GrayDog]

When I don't use it I instead put a sliding knot around the loop and slide it up to close around the knot.

Have you shown this in any of your videos?

Inquiring dummies want to know!

[GrizzlyAdams]

Have you shown this in any of your videos?

Inquiring dummies want to know!

yep. Around 3:30 in "A Hardware Free Detachable Hammock Suspension"

[DemostiX]

Allen Edwards latest at L-36.com is a terrific improvement over both extreme forms of the shackle. Looks as cool and is just as tidy as the fully sheathed soft-shackle, the Colligo Marine version Opie introduced to HF; but obviates milking the sheath with two hands to close the eyelet and secure the loop.