Anyone used a dynamic(rock climbing) rope for a lanyard before? Thinking something like a 12' lanyard. I'm seeing some cool colors and diameters in short lengths from one of my favorite eBay sellers and am wondering if there are any cautionary tales from people who have done it before. It seems like there wouldn't be a ton of difference in such a short piece in terms of stretch.
Dynamic Rope for Lanyard?
- Thread starter Njdelaney
- Start date
Shadowscape
Been here a while
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- far north
I can think of reasons not to use it.
1) Pretty thin ropes mostly. 8, 9, 9.5 mm stuff. Seems it would be hard to climb with for a lanyard.
2) Splicing... I don't know how to splice it. Maybe there is something out there on doing that, somewhere. But rock climbers don't splice, so I would be leery about trusting my life on some YouTube video, if there is one.
It will stretch. Not much in a lanyard length, but 30% stretch at 10% BS is a lot. And climbing rope is not like static rope. After a few falls on climbing rope it needs to be taken out of service. in some countries, by law. That tells you something.
That all said, I have sitting at the moment by my feet, a Beal 9.5 dynamic rope that has never been used that you can have for the cost of me shipping it to you. Blue & green with pink stripes. It is 40 meters.
1) Pretty thin ropes mostly. 8, 9, 9.5 mm stuff. Seems it would be hard to climb with for a lanyard.
2) Splicing... I don't know how to splice it. Maybe there is something out there on doing that, somewhere. But rock climbers don't splice, so I would be leery about trusting my life on some YouTube video, if there is one.
It will stretch. Not much in a lanyard length, but 30% stretch at 10% BS is a lot. And climbing rope is not like static rope. After a few falls on climbing rope it needs to be taken out of service. in some countries, by law. That tells you something.
That all said, I have sitting at the moment by my feet, a Beal 9.5 dynamic rope that has never been used that you can have for the cost of me shipping it to you. Blue & green with pink stripes. It is 40 meters.
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JeffGu
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Osceola, Nebraska
How are you going to fall, on a 14' lanyard, far enough to generate forces exceeding the MBS of the rope? You'd almost have to set that up and do it on purpose. I have two lanyards made out of dynamic rope, and can't actually tell them apart from any other lanyard, in use.
Just sayin'. You can always send the rope out to have sewn eyes put on both ends. Most places that offer splicing services have the equipment to do that.
Just sayin'. You can always send the rope out to have sewn eyes put on both ends. Most places that offer splicing services have the equipment to do that.
ghostice
Been here a while
You don't mention if you use a prusik or cam or what for your lanyard adjuster - some mechanicals have min/ max rope diameters - something to check.
Maybe consider "flippability" around a stem- usually a larger diameter is better both for stiffness and for your hands/ wrists.
Some lanyard material has better cut resistance (your Silky is always lying in wait to cut fabric) - some like TriTech survive chance encounters a little better.
To me an alpine line is better left behind for tree work - I've written elsewhere about modern spaghetti diameters compared to older "fatty" climb lines. At this length, dynamic (stretchy) isn't a consideration I think
Contact an arborist rope vendor and see if they have any odds and ends left over?
Oh and first rule of arb work - don't fall (remember - work positioning not fall arrest).
Maybe consider "flippability" around a stem- usually a larger diameter is better both for stiffness and for your hands/ wrists.
Some lanyard material has better cut resistance (your Silky is always lying in wait to cut fabric) - some like TriTech survive chance encounters a little better.
To me an alpine line is better left behind for tree work - I've written elsewhere about modern spaghetti diameters compared to older "fatty" climb lines. At this length, dynamic (stretchy) isn't a consideration I think
Contact an arborist rope vendor and see if they have any odds and ends left over?
Oh and first rule of arb work - don't fall (remember - work positioning not fall arrest).
Shadowscape
Been here a while
- Location
- far north
I was pointing out that dynamic rope has limitations on stretching it. Not necessarily falling on it. Leaning back on a dynamic rope will stretch it, if only a little, tiny bit. Dynamic rope degrades when stretched. I don't know how leaning back against a dynamic rope would actually affect its integrity over time, but are you willing to be the test dummy? I'm not, and I think it is somewhat silly to use a dynamic rope just because it has pretty colors when we have really great, proven static ropes for lanyards.
In some countries a slip that generates 350 pounds force on the rope is considered a fall. Five of those and the rope must be retired by law. Let that ding around in your head for a few minutes and then think about maybe using them as a lanyard is not such a great idea. I can bail off a ledge with 40 meter of dynamic rope and barely create 350 pounds force. But I can bail off a ledge with 1 meter of dynamic rope and create 5 times that force.
Then the sewn eyes. Some static ropes can't use sewn eye splices. Has anyone done certification on the dynamic rope you want to use as to whether it can be sewn? I would check into that before I trusted someone to sew an eye spice and have me hanging from it. I doubt any of the arborist supply houses that sew eye splices would touch a dynamic rope without certification that it will be okay, and I seriously doubt there is such certification out there.
But each to their own.
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Serf Life
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Maine Island
That’s just silly. Using a rock climbing line as a lanyard will impart a tiny fraction of the abuse they are designed to take. I don’t see a merit to using them and personally like a thicker lanyard, but degradation by leaning back on it???
Shadowscape
Been here a while
- Location
- far north
@Serf Life
You guys are not rock climber, I can see.
Dynamic ropes are strong. They are designed to absorb tremendous forces. But because of their design, they do not return to their original condition after being stretched. They degrade with each stretch.
I said, " I don't know how leaning back against a dynamic rope would actually affect its integrity over time", I did not say it was going to break from leaning back on it.
Please don't mix up what I said into something I didn't say.
You guys are not rock climber, I can see.
Dynamic ropes are strong. They are designed to absorb tremendous forces. But because of their design, they do not return to their original condition after being stretched. They degrade with each stretch.
I said, " I don't know how leaning back against a dynamic rope would actually affect its integrity over time", I did not say it was going to break from leaning back on it.
Please don't mix up what I said into something I didn't say.
Muggs
Been here much more than a while
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- Canuckistan
I'll snag that dynamic rope Dave @Shadowscape
Shadowscape
Been here a while
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- far north
I offered it to @Njdelaney. If he doesn't want it, I will send it your way.
Got to go back to work. I will check in later to see if he responded.
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Shadowscape
Been here a while
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- far north
I know people who do tree work that buy 20 dollar ropes at the hardware store because the package says, "Break Strength 1,200 pounds", and they still live. Doesn't make them smart however.
Serf Life
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Maine Island
Thanks to all who responded so far. I would use a hitch and pulley for a dynamic rope lanyard so I don't see that as an issue. As for the splicing, should I decide I needed a spliced eye I would do my research and then sew it myself in all likelihood. I do my own lanyards, hitch cords, slings, shackles, etc. and am comfortable with that. Also, I'm looking at something that is 10.2mm so not really that small. @Shadowscape thanks for pointing out the possible pitfalls and thanks for the offer of the rope. @Muggs that rope is all yours Patrick. While the color pattern was one of my reasons for wanting to try it, I thought it may actually be nice to have a little stretch in a lanyard that is meant for work positioning and not as a secondary system. I have one lanyard that is dedicated as work positioning only, with a hipster as the adjuster and an ISC snap, and this would be in the same category. I like making/trying new gear.
Muggs
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Canuckistan
@Njdelaney I can't imagine any difference in a 12 ft long piece of cordage in terms of stretch compared to an arborist rope. Not that I've ever used dynamic rope, because I haven't, and not that my powers of imagination are particularly good, because they aren't. Stretch requires distance to play out. So in that sense, I can't imagine any benefits either.
@Shadowscape I'm working on a video about the effects of stretch on pulling power and I happened to see this rope so I figured I would ask. No worries.
@Shadowscape I'm working on a video about the effects of stretch on pulling power and I happened to see this rope so I figured I would ask. No worries.
Shadowscape
Been here a while
- Location
- far north
It is all yours. Be on the way Monday morning. Sent you a PM.
I have heard of people using them for tensioning trees that were being pulled against the lean. Static ropes go slack as soon as the tree moves, but the dynamic ones will keep tension on for a ways. Never tried it myself.
Shadowscape
Been here a while
- Location
- far north
That would be a hoot.
Dynamic rope has very little rebound. Watch these guys fall. They don't bounce back up like a bungy cord. Just go till they stop and stay there. Probably make a poor Big Shot for people. Now truck tire inner tubes....
Yeah but the joke doesn't work if you get all fact-oriented on me!
Shadowscape
Been here a while
- Location
- far north
Sorry 
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