BOLA

John_KAYS · Sep 11, 2016

In my video above I show the BDB working in SRT and the BOLA sliding when on a single line - starting at about 2:19. The BOLA works extremely well as a lanyard adjuster and I would highly recommend it for that...but I haven't really tried it for anything else.

surveyor · Nov 5, 2016

Bone style BOLA, has more bite. Releases with the top arm only and takes more force to release when fully weighted.

John_KAYS · Nov 5, 2016

@surveyor Wait, does it do single line?

surveyor · Nov 5, 2016

It does with my weight and using the KMIII (7/16)

It does not release as smoothly as the Bulldog Bone when fully weighted,
I think because the pins are .234 dia. rather than the .312 pins on the Bone
However, if you add a teardrop attach point at the top, it will self tend much like
the Unicender on a doubled line.

surveyor · Nov 12, 2016

Picture of Bone style BOLA with teardrop at the top also, This would isolate the climber from a barber pole split. It is just over 3 inches from centerline of teardrop to centerline of teardrop.

JMerritt · Nov 12, 2016

I saw it at tcia. It looks really nice! Well done gordon

John_KAYS · Nov 12, 2016

JMerritt said:
I saw it at tcia. It looks really nice! Well done gordon

I saw it there too!

I saw you there too! It was a pleasure to meet you Jamie.

surveyor · Nov 12, 2016

Thanks Jamie, John was kind enough to show it at the EXPO.

JMerritt · Nov 12, 2016

Pleasure to meet you too. I had a blast meeting so many people I've only known by internet till now.

John_KAYS · Nov 12, 2016

surveyor said:
Thanks Jamie, John was kind enough to show it at the EXPO.

I tried to show it to everyone that had a pulse...this device is sweet! I will do a full review of it later, but as soon as I held it in my hands I could tell it was going to be a superb lanyard adjuster...did I mention this one can do single line!

Really nice work on it @surveyor. It is top quality!

Z'sTrees · Nov 12, 2016

That looks great, I really like the second attachment point. are they available for sale yet?

surveyor · Nov 12, 2016

There are two in existence at this point in time, but see private message.

Steve Connally · Nov 13, 2016

I saw it too. So awesome. When it fits beeline I'm in!!!

Huskyman · Nov 13, 2016

surveyor said:
Picture of Bone style BOLA with teardrop at the top also, This would isolate the climber from a barber pole split. It is just over 3 inches from centerline of teardrop to centerline of teardrop.

Look like it could be used as a DdRT device?

surveyor · Nov 14, 2016

Yes, I believe you could, say with a long lanyard.

surveyor · Nov 16, 2016

special order Bone style BOLA. The Nano fits perfectly, with a brass insert inside the small end of the Nano, and swings up nicely to tend the BOLA.

Z'sTrees · Nov 16, 2016

Got mine in the mail this evening, thanks Gordon.

Haven't climbed on it yet but this thing is sweet! tends smooth, but not slack gobbling smooth. release is very intuitive and is smooth as well. seems to hold my weight and descend smoothly srt as well. Secondary attachment point is great. looking forward to climbing with it tomorrow.
Btw I'm using it on sterling tritech, not sure how other ropes work in it.

surveyor · Nov 17, 2016

Thanks Nick, I used to have the Tritech (from Steve) and it was one, dense,stiff, tough rope. I would think it might be too grippy, but pleased to hear that it seems to work with this Bone style BOLA. Tritech may actually release even nicer with the regular wide BOLA.

Z'sTrees · Nov 18, 2016

Climbed on the bola today. deadwooding and pruning some large scarlet oaks. really enjoyed the lanyard setup. I used it in all configurations, it performed great. I will say that when using the top attachment point it tends to add a bit of friction to the rope, nothing to be of any hindrance, just makes things run a bit different. all in all this is an excellent device and well worth trying out. Kudos Gordon!