garda hitch cord?

**Wattsy** · 08-24-2010, 13:49

hi i want to convert my hammock to a garda hitch system and was wondering what thickness cord to go with for suspending it?

cheers
matt

**Shug** · 08-24-2010, 13:58

Check out Grizz's Vidoes .... covers the garda.
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=8939
Shug

**oneonone** · 08-24-2010, 15:24

I use the garda on my HH stock cord and it has never failed failed me. (+slippery half hitch always). Very easy to adjust.

**Knotty** · 08-24-2010, 16:32

Just be ware that the garda hitch fell out of fashion after a few rope failures were reported. I'd use it for webbing but not rope.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=9448

**Jsaults** · 08-25-2010, 06:57

Theoretical because I am not using it, but I love to analyze failure modes.

Due to the stress and pinching, at least as I understand it, the failures recorded were in core-and-sheath (kernmantle) lines. Such as the stock Hennessey lines. And teh failures were in the sheath.

Would a core-less line such as Amsteel be less prone to failure? In my minds eye I can see the Amsteel flattening out and the fibers "self-adjusting" within the hitch as they come under tension.

Just wondering......

Jim

**Knotty** · 08-25-2010, 22:17

I'd say no, it wouldn't be less prone to failure. Amsteel doesn't like compression. Here's an excerpt from an article by Brion Toss.

Let's start with the challenges. In the years since that first talk, hundreds of destruction tests, and quite a few in-the-field failures, have confirmed a central truth: HM doesn't like knots. Although fantastically strong in tension, HM fibers are quite weak in compression. Since knots invariably compress the rope under load, it is clear why knots typically weaken HM rope by at least 70%. And it gets worse: HM rope also tends to be quite slick, so slick that long-trusted knots like the Bowline will crawl right out under loads as low as 10% of ultimate strength. We've even seen cases where the (non-structural) cover of an HM rope broke at low loads, allowing the core to slide right out, leaving the still-knotted cover behind like an empty snakeskin.

**Jsaults** · 08-26-2010, 06:36

"Don't pinch Amsteel." (At least, between two metallic surfaces.)

Makes sense to me. Thanks.

Jim

**trekkingnut** · 08-26-2010, 07:33

im still convinced the rings used in that video are too thin... and because they dont look coated they are going to generate massive amounts of friction.

my climing grade rappel rings are coated to be super smooth and virtually frictionless and they are thicker than my index finger.... this means that pinching and heat from friction are kept to a minimum. Im not saying that breaks dont happen and its easy to see how. however, im still convinced if done properly then there is no issue... to be honest id prob just go for whoopie slings.... safer bet in the long run because they can be used by anyone!

**Wattsy** · 08-26-2010, 07:46

thing is with that failure report is that the rope in question was 8 years old which means its had 8 years of exposure to uv rays, wind rain and the like and felt stiff to the touch. if i had an 8 year old climbing rope that felt stiff to the touch i wouldn't be using it. cheers for the help though guys i'll just use 6mm cord since i've no idea what sixe the hennessy cord is

**rhamlett** · 09-05-2010, 03:55

May I ask why use the rap rings rather than using two identical karibiners at each end?

I can see that the krabs would then be multi-functional rather than carrying around four rap rings which would have no other purpose, especially if there are issues over rope damage.