why not use knots ?

[David]

my trade as a treesurgeon make knots second nature, but you guys have spent many years designing them out.

Why ?

The dutch clips you use on your tree strap could be replaced with a timber hitch.
I just wonder if I am seeing this all wrong.

but a timber hitch and a bowline seems link quite well to a woopie sling can you tell why this is not used ?

many thanks
David

40

[Shug]

Most of us like fiddling with stuff. I started with knots. Takes a bit longer to adjust but I came to really like whoopie slings for the ease of adjustability and not having to tie and re-tie.
Also....I am lazy and lackadaisical....
Knots are terrific and one day I will go knot again.
Shug

[oldgringo]

Some people are absolutely flummoxed by knots. I am sympathetic to their situations, because I suffer a similar fate with technology. It's all in the wiring.

[Bubba]

As mentioned some like to fiddle and some are afraid of knots. I personally love knots. They are not used very much in amsteel (the popular suspension choice) due to the fact they derate the strength of the amsteel significantly. Not a big deal in some circumstances but when you are hanging off the ground its good to have a safety margin. Having said that, there are some that do use knots in amsteel without issue. I've used diamond knots, double and triple fisherman's knots and I've seel people use the alpine butterfly knot. People also get caught up in the hobby and everything that goes with it as well.

[OutandBack]

I use a timber hitch on my summer hammock, soft shackle for my winter and slippery bowline's on my tarp tie outs.
No fan of little bits that can get lost in the pine needles or snow.

[Rolloff]

my trade as a treesurgeon make knots second nature, but you guys have spent many years designing them out.

Why ?

The dutch clips you use on your tree strap could be replaced with a timber hitch.
I just wonder if I am seeing this all wrong.

but a timber hitch and a bowline seems link quite well to a woopie sling can you tell why this is not used ?

many thanks
David

40

Knots tend to weaken the materials we use commonly for cordage. While knots are used, your more likely to find us splicing or using hardware. And of course > We have Dutch to make our bling.

Secondly, cold weather usage. Much of our hardware has not only been developed for strength/weight, but cold weather use as well. Knots can be a PITA to tie and untie under adverse conditions, weather, low light, for those that don't find them second nature.

We do use a fair number of knots, though splicing and hardware seems to be the way for most of us atm. We evolve, check tomorrow for the latest ideas!

Outside of a pair of toggles for my knot>> marlinspike hitch << knot
And a couple small high impact plastic hooks to hook my CRL back into the >>here it is again > knot>> Prussics << knot

I don't really use much hardware, other than maybe four Ti-stakes. I haven't found a way to tie my cordage stiff enough to eliminate them....but sometimes, I will use a >> knot << to tie out to roots or limbs.

J/K mostly. We use what works best for each of us, and encourage refinement and experimentation at every level. In doing so, we try always to respect our motto HYOH

[breyman]

For many - especially beginners - hardware is easier. And, it's usually faster, too. Not always cheaper or lighter or as flexible, but usually faster and simpler. It'd be tough to find a knot that can be done as quickly or easily as a dutch clip.

[David]

woopie slings look great, connecting them with knots seems the simple option to me.
I wonder if there is a list of knots that amsteel works with ?

[breyman]

woopie slings look great, connecting them with knots seems the simple option to me.
I wonder if there is a list of knots that amsteel works with ?

Prussik and larks head .

I'm sure others work, but with the elegance of splicing, I've never needed much more than that. Also, their small diameter, slippery nature make knots a bit trickier.

[pgibson]

I wonder if there is a list of knots that amsteel works with ?

Being a single braid cord that is easily compressed to a dangerous level knots are not recommended by the manufacturer of amsteel. Amsteel is also very slick due to the type of rope it is and the coating that are added to reduce friction. Many knots have been found to slip. That along with the higher de-rating due to the compression and most avoid using knots. Splicing it is quite easy though and what it is intended for.