Trying some new suspensions on the Speer. I have extra rings and want to try the Garda. Should I use 3mm Amsteel or 2.8mm Spyderline?
Trying some new suspensions on the Speer. I have extra rings and want to try the Garda. Should I use 3mm Amsteel or 2.8mm Spyderline?
I believe I have answered my question after reading some other posts about Amsteel tendency to slip under a load unless care is taken in constructing alternative knots.
I've noticed that the unsheathed braided ropes (Vectran, Amsteel) get quite pinched and flattened between the rings; I don't know for sure that it harms the rope, but I'm not taking chances. I'm using 3.8mm Spyderline now. The core seems to resist the pinching much better.
I guess I'd try the 2.8mm Spyderline first....but I graded up to 3.8mm after a strand of 2.8mm used on the suspension snapped at a knot on me. YMMV
Grizz
With 1½+ the load rating of the 3.8 over the 2.8 I might opt for the 3.8. I was trying to get by with the 2.8 to save the 2-3 ounces in difference in 40 ft of rope, assuming I should use about 20 ft per end since I have the rings close to the whipping and have to cover the distance from the rings and tree twice.
there are solutions where you don't need to double up the rope. The ones I can think of involve using a Marlinspike hitch and a toggle at the tree.
Observe
There are a number of postings on this, search under "Marlinspike hitch". Really simple. You essentially make a slip knot in the webbing and stick a toggle in the loop.
Once you have that, you can approach the suspension from the point-of-view of hanging something off that toggle. To pick not so random an example
a bit of loop that has the rings. Now you can run rope from hammock to the rings and do a Garda hitch. Or, if you prefer, you can put the rings next to the hammock (attached by cord to the whipping), and take some of that 3.8mm Spyderline that has a fixed loop at one end that you drape over the Marlinspike toggle, then take to the rings at the hammock-side.
Grizz
It seems that Annapolis Performance and all other dealers of the 3.8 in black are out of stock. I hope New England Rope has not stopped making the line. I placed an order will Layline, which sells it a little cheaper, but have been advised it will be some time before I get the line unless I opt for the wild colors.
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