Vid-how to make an amsteel loop

[Dutch]

I needed a simple loop to attach amsteel to my hugger. I came up with this method which I believe is how Warbonnetguy makes his loops. The shrink tube is 3/16th and I got a bunch of it from Lowes for less than $2.

I edted out the vid until I can show a more reliable knot I should have something back on within a day.

[opie]

I believe Brandon uses a double fishermans knot.

But looks good otherwise!!

[pgibson]

Yah the Double Fisherman's is the knot of choice for this sort of loop if you are tying rather than splicing, it maintains a greater amount of strength than most other knots and is more secure and less likely to slip on most ropes. Though I have heard of a few in amsteel still working loose for some folks.

[opie]

Good point PG. I seem the remember a double slipping at a certain amount of force. A triple held a little better, but not much before failure. Either holds fine for hammocking use, however.

[JayS]

Thanks, Dutch. I was just wondering this week how to make an Amsteel loop without splicing and here it is!

By the way, your hands are easy on the eyes...

[Youngblood]

I needed a simple loop to attach amsteel to my hugger. I came up with this method which I believe is how Warbonnetguy makes his loops. The shrink tube is 3/16th and I got a bunch of it from Lowes for less than $2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIrAEccCFr0

Dutch, that technique is akin to using a 2-stage knot to overcome the slipperiness of AmSteel. I have had heat shrink tubing slip off the ends of mine in other applications without a whole lot of force, but I didn't heat the end of the cord to form that 'ball' like you do. What I am trying to point out is the heat shrink itself may not provide enough holding just by itself and melting the end of the cord to get that ball is something to pay attention to.

I have used separate overhand knots in each individual cord instead of the ball & heat shrink and have seen those individual overhand knots jam into the overhand knot with both cords to keep it from slipping. I have also looked at just using a double or even triple over hand knot (ie barrel knot?) tying both cords together but haven't put them to much of a test.

One thing for sure though, tying knots with AmSteel is very different in some respects than tying knots with other rope material. I have adopted somewhat of a 2-stage approach for tying knots with it, where I use 2 knots together. I do that to keep the overall knot from slipping and for cases where I want the knot to release, I do that to keep the knot from jamming to the point I can't get it to release.

[NCPatrick]

So who was the "hand" actor playing you, Dutch?

I guess the Diamond knot would be the safest in this instance, as it has been tested to be the best in the soft-shackle/nacrabiner threads.

[Boris Losdindawoods]

I'm confused. I must have missed something. Why wouldn't you just splice it?

Boris

[Poppabear]

I'm confused. I must have missed something. Why wouldn't you just splice it?

Boris

Perhaps this technique is for the splicing impaired.

[Shug]

That is how I have done mine .... doubled the knot on some and singled some. Never slipped .... yet.
No-Slip Shug