Quote Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr View Post
I hope you're not a big fella. Knots severely reduce the rope's breaking strength by up to 50 percent. So your 7/64 Amsteel's breaking strength goes from 1600 to 800 lbs., less than Dynaglide, while your 1/8" Amsteel goes from 2500 lbs. to 1,250 lbs.

Most folks on the forum recommend a 5 to 1 safety ratio, so using that guideline your knotted Amsteel should only be used for someone weighing 160 lbs. or less, while 1/8" Amsteel should not be used by anyone over 250 lbs.

Bottom line: The manufacturer, Samson Rope, recommends a splice as the best way to maintain Amsteel's strength, so you're ignoring the manufacturer's recommendation at your own risk.
I'm using the 1/8th inch and the pictures will explain what I've been doing a lot better. That said, the knots at either end of the suspension line bear very little load. Think triple (or even quad) pulley block and tackle. Given the load rating for my hammock (ENO DN) is only 400 lbs. I'm confident that it will fail long before my suspension.