Compact Bulldog Bone

oldmilltreecare said:
I realise this isn't a rope thread so I'm sorry but there's a lot of relevant rope chatter here.
I received my new Cougar Blue today. I haven't climbed on it yet but it is noticeably flat on two opposing sides. Visibly flat!
Is this normal?
(Thanks to all of you for the advice you've provided I'm helping me choose.)
Click to expand...
Where'd it come from? Regardless, the flattening is probably a result of be on the spool, most distributors (like treestuff and wesspur) purchase rope in bulk on a 600' spool that is tightly wound. This could cause some flattening. Yale and Samson sell hanks in various lengths, in bags, and I have never noticed deformation of ropes sold like this but have seen it when it comes off the spool. Also, Donaghys, being an Australian manufacturer, probably only exports in bulk. Flake it in a pile on the floor or in a bag to store it and it will return to round.
 
I need to try some. I started on 11mm (from the rocks), hated it so much in the tree that I went straight to Vortex. I really do need to give the 11.7 and 12's a try.
 
To me it's not just the diameter of the modern ropes that makes them tougher on the hands but also the strand count. 16 strand gives better grip because it's not to the point where it's smooth as glass. But 24 strand (and up) are just slippery, making you feel the need to grip the hell out the rope.
 
Other than hands some of my issue is mental. It's funny I look up at my Vortex and I feel safe, I look up at my 11mm and I think....what are nuts hanging from dental floss.
 
I've been using 11.7 since I quit 16 strand. It is pretty good in hand, but I am thinking about trying the 1/2 in kmIII or some 13 mil htp. Or if I stay with 11.7s maybe the cougar. Decisions decisions.
 
I have some 16 that I learned rope on rope with but as soon as I started playing with mechanicals I went to 24. I tried my 16 but the Uni never liked it much, or at least for me. Since then I can't say that I have tried it in the Rope Runner or the Bones.
 
some 16 strand ropes are going to have a significant amount of elongation when compared to certain 24 strands. Just a thought. I do like the feel of a good hand on rope.

That being said...how many climbers here are wearing gloves year round? I pretty much do, and they reduce fatigue by a wicked wicked mega percent (that's a lot in technical terms). Still, good hand on a rope equals even better with gloves. Just musing a bit.
 
I mostly do wear gloves oceans , In summer fingerless ,but wouldn't at all if the grip was easier to come by . I looked at Treestuff and the 2.2 percent elongation @10% of working load on Yale eclipse 16 strand was same as tachyon ,but I remember the old n.e. safety blue being bungee like.
 
I do even in the summer, even if I have a handled ascender in the mix. Old hands with lots of broken bones and scars in my life, lol.
 
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