View Full Version : Blackbird First Impressions
HikerRanky
01-31-2009, 11:30
Got home from dinner last night, and the USPS left a box for me.... I was giddy with anticipation as I knew what it was when I saw the address on it.
Inside was a silnylon bag and a single sheet of paper letter.I took the bag out of the box, and started unveiling the hammock and suspension system on the floor in the house.
I began looking at the workmanship on the hammock, and was very impressed. I paid particularly close attention to the sewing around the zipper. The stitching was absolutely perfect.
Speaking of the zippers, I am very impressed with the metal tabs on the zippers.... I will have to find something to loop thru them in order to be able to unzip them with gloves on.
The frapping where the ends of the hammock, the ridgeline, and the suspension system is a work of art.
I'm going to be hanging it today in the back yard and seeing what it it feels like once it is hanging up.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I must say that it is a 10. Excellent product workmanship and dealing with Brandon has been a pleasure. It certainly won't be the least time either!
It's funny how all Blackbird/Brandon posts have the same theme: WOW!
Enjoy your new hammock.
I got a chance to hang in mine today in the urban woods. All I can say is WOW! Prior to today I'd never been in a hammock before. It was totally awesome.
Temps at 45F today so a beautiful day to try this thing out except for trudging through a bit of snow in my non-winter hiking boots. I'm not a winter person and don't own a pair of winter boots so the feet didn't stay too dry. :rolleyes: I didn't bring my pad or any bottom insulation. Just my summer +30F bag and threw that and the BB in my little REI Traverse pack and headed out.
Set-up was a breeze with the webbing and a couple biners. Tie-outs worked slick. Once I got in I couldn't believe the comfort. I really didn't feel any tension or stress points in my legs or anything laying on my back. I felt very comfortable with the diagonal lay and large foot box that everyone is so fond of with this hammock. What can I say...I'm officially a hammock convert. I won't be camping in a tent again unless I have to.
Of course nothing new anyone else hasn't already said about the BB but coming from a first time hanger I am totally stoked and am extremely pleased with my purchase. What a way to bring a smile to my face after such a cold winter with all of this sub zero weather we've had up here. I can't wait for spring now so I can hit the State Parks of Northern MN.
Thanks for the great product Brandon and a big thanks to Shug for that excellent video. I must have watched that thing 50 times before I got the hammock. :lol:
GrizzlyAdams
01-31-2009, 17:31
... I'm not a winter person and don't own a pair of winter boots so the feet didn't stay too dry. :rolleyes:
Glad you had a great first hammock experience! Sometimes there's a learning curve that trips folks up a little at first.
But as one who grew in Northern Minnesota, and notices all posts from fellow Minnesotans, I find the combination of your location as "Roseville, MN" and the quote about no winter boots a tad incongruous! Tell you what will go a long ways are NEOS overboots (http://www.overshoe.com/recreational/) . Can even get insulated ones. Just slip over your ordinary shoes and you're good to go.
are you lost? ;)
Grizz
I find the combination of your location as "Roseville, MN" and the quote about no winter boots a tad incongruous!
LOL...Yeah I know. I've lived in MN my whole life but I probably haven't owned a pair of winter boots in 20 years. I've never gotten into outdoor winter recreation and being in the city I haven't really "needed" a pair of boots to walk to and from the car.:laugh:
Hey Pizza ..... way to get out there in the wild of Roseville. Fun, ain't it?
Cannibal
02-02-2009, 11:10
Welcome to the BlackBird Gang. I think we need to have some patches made. :lol:
Welcome to the BlackBird Gang. I think we need to have some patches made. :lol:
I'd buy a patch in a heartbeat!
I'd buy a patch in a heartbeat!
Me too or even a T-Shirt. Calling Brandon...any T-Shirts on the horizon?:cool:
Cannibal
02-02-2009, 18:21
Me too or even a T-Shirt. Calling Brandon...any T-Shirts on the horizon?:cool:
I've been working that angle for a while now; still waiting on the Warbonnet Outdoors logo.
trigger hurt
02-02-2009, 20:02
My hammock arrived today while I was at work. Picked it up from brother's house. It's raining and dark at the moment, so can't hang it up. I busted it out of the sack and it looks great...sitting on the floor.
Thank you for a quality product Brandon.