Knots versus gadgets??

[Muskrat]

i'm back into the line and strap setup, a la brandons wbbb video - using
a slippery buntline hitch.

i used to obsess over adjusting the hammock to the perfect angles etc.
but have come love the knot for its utilitarian simplicity.

'hardware free' in 2012

I'm actually thinking of joining you in this thought. Getting back to basics, keeping it simple. I certainly understand the above comments of numb fingers, tired and not wanting to fool with knots, and etc. However, for me, I'm just as comfortable spending an extra minute or so to re-adjust and re-tie if needed. There's a self-appreciation value achieved when going "hardware free".

[Muskrat]

...And knots can derate the rope by as much as 50%, not to mention the wear and tear a knot causes on your rope.

Agree completely. Past experiences working with ropes courses and instructing rappelling, there will be strength loss any time a rope makes a bend smaller than twice its diameter but I think alot of that is also dictated by where you are placing that knot. If the knot is midline between the hammock end and the tree straps, there's concern there. However, if a single piece of amsteel runs from the hammock end and is fed through the sewn end of the tree strap and then is wrapped and tied off, there is less reduction in the strength of the amsteel. Not knowing for sure, I would say somewhere in the range of 10%-20% strength loss. Amsteel rated at 1400 lbs, means I am probably good for 1120 lbs.

Probably more concern that my hammock will fail before the knot will fail.

[rip waverly]

My tarp corner tie out are just 4' lengths of lash-it with simple loops at the end for porch mode and another loop 12" from the corner or the tarp for bad weather mode.

cool! i have a cuben coming my way, and am trying to trim the length of my lines without giving up much flexibility. i typically only use about <3 ft. of my 10' lines. if the tarp is setup, its probably raining, - or cold and windy - and its setup of max protection. i guess i just need enough for modest porch when fartin' around camp.

i like the loops for bad weather. i'm a prussik adjuster at heart. but that is nice.

[chickenwing]

Some info I found concerning knots vs splices

splicing info - http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=12319

knot info - http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=12569

[Muskrat]

Some info I found concerning knots vs splices

splicing info - http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=12319

knot info - http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=12569

Sounds like some good testing about to occur on various knots. Certainly understand the slickness of amsteel being a factor but as "Brion" stated:

"they almost invariably will slip at as low as 10% unless stoppered or otherwise backed up."

Stoppered or otherwise backed up... whats the reduction percentage of the knot at that point???

[dant8ro]

I love my gadgets, they make things simple, and I am no gram weenie, though I see the merits.

I use adjustable webbing, though I own and make Whoopie slings for friends and colleagues. I love to splice, but I can't seem to give up the dead simple webbing setup.

Dan.

[chickenwing]

Just to reiterate why we don't put knots in Amsteel-Blue.
When the knot finally caught, it caught tight. It took a fair amount of time to break the knot and then untie it so a set of whoopie slings could be made.

[AkFly]

Well for us gram weanie Wannabes -actually more like NeverWillBes - who are also severely Nkot Dyslexic, Nite Ize and especially DutchWare have been a true blessing. Seriously, if I have to to depend on more than the two knots I can barely remember, I would have given up on hammocks. Dutch is an innovation hero!

[nk14zp]

The gadgets are great but a knot is hard to loose.

[metalhanger]

In other words, good with rope and knots and other sailory stuff.

After 21 years in the Navy and reserves, knots are second nature. The way I see it you need the following for a variety of suspension problems.

Bowline (Best durn knot ever)
Figure 8 loop
Truckers hitch
Marlinspike hitch ( love this one)
Sheet bend .. when you need to extend
Slip knot
Shoelace knot

With double line mule tape coming around the tree from both sides and tied facing the hammock with a shoelace knot, setup is fast and take down even faster. Now if the weathershield were only so compliant.

BTW, Walls of Jericho were awesome on Saturday, even if it did get a little wet the next morning.