New product for Figure 9 users

**schrochem** · 09-26-2007, 11:31

Looking back over it again, how important is the equal size of the hooks?
Also, they look a little 'offset.'
I see how that is allowing the back hook to cause friction on the line.
If the bottom is tied more 'together' it seems that would affect that friction.
So how important is that in functionality?

**schrochem** · 09-26-2007, 11:37

Your design all reminded me of clips that look like these
But I think you noted the advantage was the flatness of your pieces.

**Rapt** · 09-26-2007, 12:03

Ideally the hooks are the same size and align perfectly... reality is not so much, especially with my hand shaping.

The offset actually REDUCES the locking friction on the lines. Further its not so much the "flats" as the corners that provide the additional friction. But a relatively thin flat section locks better than a square one, even if they have the same area and corners...

**Jazilla** · 09-26-2007, 12:41

Originally Posted by gunn parker

I have a DIY speer type hammock with a structural ridge line so once I pull it tight the sag is ok.

But what makes this easier than the Hennessey lashing with 4 wraps around the tree hugger compared to 4 wraps and thread the cord through a hole

**Jazilla** · 09-26-2007, 12:43

It looks like you might have a chance for the cord to slip out of the hook on the open side?

**Rapt** · 09-26-2007, 14:04

Its not really critical, since the holding power comes from the pinching between the two hooks and that portion is drawn back into the centre of the hook by the tension on the line.

But yes its still closer than I'd like for ease of use when setting up, prior to applying tension, so I'm planning on deepening the hook in future versions.

**TiredFeet** · 09-26-2007, 15:35

Originally Posted by Rapt

Here's a quick pic of some rough prototypes of the hooks in use.

I haven't had a chance to do a proper hang in them just slapped them up and hopped in the hammock for a couple minutes. Total weight for a pair is about 10g.

Rapt - it looks like you hang loose with sag and no ridge line.

I use a ridge line and pull very, very tight.

How easy would that setup be to loosen once it has been pulled tight??

Since the Spyderline I use has almost no stretch, I'm worried I might not be able to loosen once I've pulled tight and slept in the hammock.

Do you think that would be problem?

**Rapt** · 09-27-2007, 06:53

I'm reasonably sure that unless you made it exceptionally tight that its not going to be that hard to undo. The reason for the loose hang in the original pictures is that inside I only have options that give a very loose hang.

Here are pics taken last night after I hung it with a ridgeline between trees 15' apart. I pretensioned it as much as I could without any mechanical advantage, then I had myself try it and then a buddy who weighs in at 250lbs. There was no slipping as shown.

Undoing was was simple as slipping the loop off the side of the hook. I also undid it by pulling the loose end between the rings. Neither was terribly hard.

and the other side of the same arrangement...

However when I tried it with 3mm single braid (hollow) spectra I had to include the slippery half hitch (a half hitch on a bight) to keep it from slipping when I bounced.

**TiredFeet** · 09-27-2007, 12:30

Okay. Looks very good and I like the weight. I use the 2.88 mm Spyderline that the good folks here pointed me to. I like it very well, but still not too sure just how well it would work with that small line. I currently use one of those Camp Nani wire carabiners that the good folksd here also pointed me to (angrysparrow I believe). Heavier, but I simply wrap around the carabiner 4 or 5 times and it has never slipped. I'm tempted, but think I'll stay with the carabiner for now.

Originally Posted by Rapt

I'm reasonably sure that unless you made it exceptionally tight that its not going to be that hard to undo. The reason for the loose hang in the original pictures is that inside I only have options that give a very loose hang.

Here are pics taken last night after I hung it with a ridgeline between trees 15' apart. I pretensioned it as much as I could without any mechanical advantage, then I had myself try it and then a buddy who weighs in at 250lbs. There was no slipping as shown.

Undoing was was simple as slipping the loop off the side of the hook. I also undid it by pulling the loose end between the rings. Neither was terribly hard.

and the other side of the same arrangement...

However when I tried it with 3mm single braid (hollow) spectra I had to include the slippery half hitch (a half hitch on a bight) to keep it from slipping when I bounced.

**Rapt** · 09-27-2007, 12:55

Just as an FYI Spyder line is NOT hollow (or single braid rope) Its spectra core with a polyester cover. This protects the spectra and makes knot holding much better as the cover is much less slippery than spectra itself.

The cored ropes are much stiffer and hold their shape better than the single braid ropes but are bulkier at the same time.

Everyone has to make their own decisions about what works for them and how much time they want to spend doing different things. Some folks care about grams and seconds... Some don't.