Butterfly II

[ctree]

Has anybody modified their Butterfly II harness? I would like to replace the webbing bridge with some rigging plates and a rope bridge and wondered if anybody has done this and what you used. Before I spend the money always like to know what works for others. Pictures are great! Thanks.

 

[Brocky]

It looks like the loops that hold the bow shackle are sewn and not straps that can be undone, like there is on other harnesses. That leaves you few options. The easiest would be to just put rigging plate on the shackles, or replace the webbing with rope and not add rigging plates. The shackles could be replaced with one of the rings that come apart for a cleaner look, if using the plates. Another replacement for the shackle would be a soft shackle girth hitched to the rigging plate. This would give a soft connection and would put the plate in a vertical orientation. Last option I can think of is to take the stitching apart add the plates and have the loops resewn.

 

[joe]

I placed a piece of new climbing hitch cord into a piece of webbing and tied those to my saddle to replace the factory made bridge. The webbing was used to reduce abrasion to the cord since I still used the ring which came with the factory bridge. When the webbing wore through to the hitch cord, I replaced the webbing and kept using the hitch rope. I wouldn't hesitate to replace the ring with a rigging plate if I felt it would be useful.

Joe

 

[Brocky]

Nice idea of covering the bridge with webbing to protect it, plus it is a wear indicator. Camp recently upgraded their Tree Access harness, now calling it the Evo, and one of their new features is a web covered bridge.

One thing about using hitch cord for the bridge is to stay away from those made of vectran, technora and Kevlar, because they can self abrade on the inside of the cord and break. In the past the breakpoint is in the middle were the ring is rubbing the most.

 

[96coal449]

I love custom made stuff. Doesn't matter what it is, as long as it sparks an interest in me. I like the option of just using anchor knots on the bow shackles or using Petzel open rings if you want to save weight. You can still add another tie off point either way. If your okay with customization than cut the stitches and put the paws in.