well i got my shipment of amsteel in and couldnt resist making a whoopie sling. i used a child sewing needle. that was the hardest part about it. there has got to be an easier tool to use. i did a loop at the end with a locking brummell and then burried the ends. amsteel is pretty cool stuff. its hard to believe it will hold 2500 lbs. so do these burries and loops take anything away from the strength. thanks to everyone for all the info and infecting me with the hammock bug. my wife thanks you as well.