Splicing Cinch Buckles

**Dutch** · 08-20-2013, 22:38

The only problem with cinch buckles is if they aren't properly attached to the hammock side they can twist. When they twist you can fall and harm the webbing, hammock and your backside.

I splice my cinch buckles on so the supporting lines and on the outside and the cinch buckle is filled with amsteel. To do so, wrap 32" of amsteel six times and then make your splice. If you use a continuous loop and try splicing it on you can fill the back with rope but the supporting lines won't be on the corners. Wider is better.
[IMG]

[/IMG]
[IMG]

[/IMG]

See how the top one has the lines going to the hammock from the corners and the bottom one has the supporting lines coming from the middle.

**Gresh** · 08-20-2013, 22:41

Thanks, Dutch!

I've been thinking hard about switching up my suspension for either Dutch Buckles or Cinch Buckles, and this takes some of the guess work out of figuring out which might be right for me!

**Gresh** · 08-20-2013, 22:47

One other thing: Regarding your assertion that no backup knot is needed with cinch buckles, how high is that rated weight-wise...or do the physics work out to where the heavier the hanger, the tighter the cinch buckle grips the strap and you REALLY don't need a backup knot?

**Dutch** · 08-20-2013, 22:50

You got the physics right. The higher the force the more it holds.

**Gresh** · 08-20-2013, 23:01

I physics good.

Thanks for clearing that up. Ugh. One buckle or the other.

**sargevining** · 08-20-2013, 23:06

My experience is that a back up knot on cinch buckles is a good idea. I've had them slip a couple inches on several occasions and dropped me on my butt once.

Having said that, I've gone back to cinch buckles on all my hammocks. They're just plain easier for me to use.

**oldgringo** · 08-21-2013, 07:17

It depends on the webbing. Thin webbing will slip on occasion. These are milspec buckles, and were designed to be used with more robust webbing.

**DuctTape** · 08-21-2013, 07:21

Been using cinch buckles with the double larkshead for years and no backup knot. With hundreds of nights I have never had it slip or twist or fail.

Dutch, have you noticed when using your method the buckles "wanting" to twist due to the amsteel pulling from the top of the buckle on one side and below from the other?

I forgot to mention, I once tied a backup knot and noticed this caused the webbing to pull at a slight angle, this increased the slippage. For me, no knot actually allowed the buckle to grip tighter.

**Dutch** · 08-21-2013, 08:03

Originally Posted by DuctTape

Been using cinch buckles with the double larkshead for years and no backup knot. With hundreds of nights I have never had it slip or twist or fail.

Dutch, have you noticed when using your method the buckles "wanting" to twist due to the amsteel pulling from the top of the buckle on one side and below from the other?

I forgot to mention, I once tied a backup knot and noticed this caused the webbing to pull at a slight angle, this increased the slippage. For me, no knot actually allowed the buckle to grip tighter.

The twist you are referring to does happen if you do my method or if you larks head it on. It is the line pivoting and not the buckle twisting so the webbing slips.

**Ratdog** · 08-21-2013, 08:26

I used Dutch's method and have had no worries.
6 wraps on the 7/64 - yellow
5 wraps on the 1/8 -orange

If you go with a single loop or larkshead, this can happen

Which the can release the slide to one corner like this, even the dog knows it's messed up.
As soon as there isn't enough pressure to hold the strap,boom, your down and slide will be pulled out of place. But it was the atrap that let go due to lack of friction, the two pieces that overlap became misaligned when the buckle was pulled to one side.

This lead to a strap slipping and actual damage as it cut into the strap.

Listen to Dutch.