Buying a Flip Line

Luke Haas

Luke Haas

Location
WI
Hey everyone! I am fairly new to climbing and want to buy a flip line for spiking. What do you guys recommend for brand? Length? Rope grab? Thanks!
 
What state are you in? East coast and Midwest, 10' works well for the majority of trees you're going to encounter. I'll let 1 of the west coast guys chime in on their lengths. The Petzl Micrograbs are nice and compact, but that spring cable that sticks out WILL get snagged and broken. The Gibbs ascenders are bigger and heavier, but absolutely bombproof. Whatever brand flip you get, make sure it has a swivel on the snap end, otherwise it'll kink and hockle like crazy.
 
I really like the 12' one I got from Sherrill I like the way they finish their ends the best. I don't often use all 12' but it's nice to have for when I need it on some of our pines around here. I use an isc grab myself but I would say its just about the same as the petzl or the like. The grabs imo are all pretty much created equal I would guess as far as how they work. I do agree with the Gibbs being more reliable as far as the spring system not wearing out and breaking as soon as the little piece of cable like on my isc grab.
 
What exactly are you spiking? If you are spiking to ascend to perform a removal, then fine, follow the above recommendations. If to gain access to a tree that is not being removed, then you really need some more training. There is a ton of info available on this site and others to make your journey easier. Avail yourself to that info. Also, welcome to the buzz, plenty of quality folks here to learn from.
 
I use a 15' with aluminum snaps and a distel tied with a beeline, or whatever my previous hitch cord was, eye to eye. I'll tie my hitchclimber setup on one side and have my lanyard on the other. Makes it easy to tie in and go to work when you get to the top.
 
I spliced my own out of cougar blue. 15' with with stein rope grab and 9" Dyneema runner to attach to saddle with. Ct aluminum snap and dog snap spliced on dead end to attach to saddle out of way
 
I'm starting to kill a lot more trees than I used to since becoming a contractor, and I've never used a wire core. I'm curious whether folks think it's worth having in the toolbox with many removals on tap, and how folks feel about the 5/8" vs the 1/2". I'm a big dude, and I really like things that make hauling my fat ass around easier and/or more comfortable.

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Chainsaw will cut a steel core to. Secret is to pay attention to your cut and positioning of where pieces are going to fall
 
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Can't speak on that brand but it sucks getting a crappie wire core,i use to use new england brand but they would fray apart,now use yale maxi flip,sherrill brand looks proper as well.
I use 12' yale maxiflip 1/2" with gibbs aluminum ascender,with a twisted shackle. Been using this combo for 10 years +
 
Fall Risk I like the feel of the 5/8s. Usually wear XL in gloves.


Luke I have an opinion about that brand. Hold one in your hands and compare it to a Yale Maxi flip with a Gibbs or a Petzl rope grab and I think you will too. I suppose there's a reason the flipline, carab, and ropegrab cost less than a Maxi flipline alone.

If we were talking about jeans or tee shirts I wouldn't bother to care what a person buys. This is a pretty important part of our gear.
 
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