If you had to use 1 rigging rope what would it be?

[Timberdonkey_059]

Looking for just my side work. Eventually I will fill the arsenal with more options but for the time being I am looking to buy just 1 all around rigging rope. My side work is fairly light stuff so was leaning towards a 1/2" rope and I know stablebraid gets high marks from everyone but its also fairly static.. wondering if its too static for the occasional inexperienced groundies I have helping me.

Bottom line, If you were to buy JUST 1 what would it be?

 

[27RMT0N]

200 feet of Samson Stable Braid 1/2” would be my choice.

 

[TCtreeswinger]

True blue

 

[rico]

9/16” Stable Braid.

 

[southsoundtree]

By light weight, what do you mean, negative blocking the occasional 50-100 pound top, and top-rigging heavier loads?

Natural crotch-able and false-crotchable? one or the other?

How long do you need?

Will you use aerial friction, ground-based friction, both or only one?

 

[Timberdonkey_059]

By light weight, what do you mean, negative blocking the occasional 50-100 pound top, and top-rigging heavier loads?

Natural crotch-able and false-crotchable? one or the other?

How long do you need?

Will you use aerial friction, ground-based friction, both or only one?

All great questions and the simple answer is YES lol.

Mostly rigging limbs but occasional negative rigging of tops and top rigging heavier loads. Some natural crotch rigging but more often using a rig & ring as a false-crotch. Both areal and basal friction will be used depending on who I have working with me/the situation of the rig. Length wise, because I am purchasing 1, i am leaning towards 200' and will deal with the extra length in order to be sure I have enough for other situations. My current rigging rope still has about 65' of good usable rope left so I will be cutting that and using it for short rigs and carrying up into the tree when I can get away with it.

I will rig accordingly to the rope/friction set up I have and as I mentioned more rigging options will be added as the jobs need them/pay for them but for the immediate future I am in need of a new rigging rope, will be buying that 1 and rigging accordingly.

Thanks for all the feedback so far!

 

[Serf Life]

1/2 16strand, good for blocks or natural crotch.

 

[Jehinten]

"You can only use one rigging rope" I don't need that kind of negativity.


I keep 3 types of rigging lines on the truck, true blue (12 strand), Hawkeye (16 strand) and stable braid (24 strand). I lean towards the 12 and 16 strand more often than the stable braid.

1/2" does everything that I need although some of what I rig probably does need a heavier rope. With the stretch and letting it run can really help the smaller diameter handle a larger load. DWT can increase the capacity of your rope as well.

As for length I prefer shorter ropes, around here 200' often hackles as the end stays in the bag. Most of my rigging ropes are 120' and I'll tie two together when extra length is needed. You just have to be sure that your knot placement will allow you to lower a load without knot blocking a ring or block. The height of your trees may necessitate a longer rope.

 

[flushcut]

200 feet of Samson Stable Braid 1/2” would be my choice.

^ this but length varies 150' for most jobs but 200' is nice to have for double whip and big canopy trees.

 

[Mark Chisholm]

Looking for just my side work. Eventually I will fill the arsenal with more options but for the time being I am looking to buy just 1 all around rigging rope. My side work is fairly light stuff so was leaning towards a 1/2" rope and I know stablebraid gets high marks from everyone but its also fairly static.. wondering if its too static for the occasional inexperienced groundies I have helping me.

Bottom line, If you were to buy JUST 1 what would it be?

I would go 9/16" double braid. For me it's Teufelberger.

 

[Lemonjello]

Atlas 9/16” x 200ft or terfel burger 12mm Sirius x 200 ft. My go to ropes fit 90% of rigging.

 

[Reach]

Atlas 9/16” x 200ft or terfel burger 12mm Sirius x 200 ft. My go to ropes fit 90% of rigging.

I’ll second that, although I’m a fan of the 1/2” in both, they’re plenty strong for normal rigging, and Sirius is cheap enough for occasional natural crotch work.

 

[Lemonjello]

I’ll second that, although I’m a fan of the 1/2” in both, they’re plenty strong for normal rigging, and Sirius is cheap enough for occasional natural crotch work.

My weird reason is I like my rigging lines different colors than my climb lines. Almost all my climb lines are green (ish)
Easier to say “flip me the blue or red line” etc. otherwise I probably do 1/2” also.

 

[Lemonjello]

Btw I love how my profile says “new member” I read a lot but just don’t post a lot.

 

[evo]

I can’t remember the size but I’m kicking myself for not buying a spool or two of the fat 16 strand. I’m pretty sure it was 9/16ths and it was only for sale for a few years and disappeared.
Besides recycled climbing lines, I’d be torn between 16 strand 1/2 inch or 9/16th stable braid.
I think if it were only one I might lean to the 9/16th, for the weight versatility, but I think the 1/2 16 has more applications

 

[RyanCafferky]

Atlas 9/16" is a great rope. Ridiculously durable in my experience.

 

[arborlicious]

5/8" Yale XTC 12. Great for rigging without any hardware in the tree.

 

[Z'sTrees]

I'll echo 9/16" double braid. If I could only have one. That being said the rope I use the most is 1/2" 16 strand

 

[Stumpsprouts]

Atlas 9/16" is a great rope. Ridiculously durable in my experience.

My one and done is 250’ atlas 9/16. That does everything.

But from what the OP is getting into it sounds like 200’ of a 16 strand would be perfect, especially if you’ll be doing some natty crotching.

 

[Timberdonkey_059]

Thanks for all the input! Great info here. However not sure if I've helped my decision process now or made it tougher with other options to think about LOL