Components of a Self-Advancing Knee Ascender (SAKA)

Bob Bob said:
Came for the how to video, stayed for the drama....Wish I could have seen the video before it was removed in the name of capitalism. Thankfully everyone has posted enough photos of their builds that I should be able to go forward with the build anyways.
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X2! I may have been able to put one together with Yoyoman’s instructions! Very much enjoy his scientific and methodical way of presenting things!
 
@yoyoman

So is it official? No more SAKAs for sale?
Bummed I missed the boat. Bought the haas too soon.

Re- upload the SAKA build video?

However it shakes out I want to say I truly think you have given and continue to give more to the climbing community than @treehive or <90% of the rest of us.
Thanks for your contributions!
 
Flex Abednego said:
@yoyoman

So is it official? No more SAKAs for sale?
Bummed I missed the boat. Bought the haas too soon.

Re- upload the SAKA build video?

However it shakes out I want to say I truly think you have given and continue to give more to the climbing community than @treehive or <90% of the rest of us.
Thanks for your contributions!
Click to expand...
I am waiting for my patent to issue.
 
To reupload instructions or resume production. On another note, will you be at Charlie Elliot this weekend? I'll be there Saturday only. Have an idea to discuss with you re your gift to me at geezers.
 
Webfoot said:
The original video has been pulled. What brand of Dyneema bungee cord was recommended?
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I think there is a reason that there have not been any new posts on this thread since 2018. Most of us were extremely happy to see Richard outlast the lawyers and get his unique design to market. So we quit making our inferior copies and decided to support him by buying his stuff. I have two SAKA's that have lasted me for years and have gone thru multiple bungee replacements. Tough as nails!
 
Webfoot said:
The original video has been pulled. What brand of Dyneema bungee cord was recommended?
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Luckily he sells the bungee separately if interested

climbing-innovations.myshopify.com

SAKA® Black Nylon Bungee Replacement (not the mini)

May I suggest a backup, especially for international orders. Black nylon bungee replacement and washers for the SAKA® and Foldable SAKA® Designed to fit the inside diameter (4.5mm) of the specially made double tube. Approximately 70 inches in length and 4.0-4.2mm in diameter, black in color...
climbing-innovations.myshopify.com climbing-innovations.myshopify.com

I love my Saka - worth every penny
 
@ARLO If I ever need a true knee ascender I'll keep this in mind. I am a beginning rec climber and I just need to float a foot ascender because I don't wear boots.

@Aerial Traveler I bought Robline 4mm Dyneema shock cord but it doesn't have enough stretch. Would you measure the actual elongation of those two products if you have the time? I'll do the same with the Robline.

I am only getting 60% elogation from the 4mm Robline, i.e. a 30" section stretches to about 48", which is far short of the 100% elogation I expected.
 
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In Oregon you may have an equivalent store to Canada's Mountain Equipment Co-op where they specialize in outdoor, camping, hiking , climbing etc. Take a piece of your rigid shell tubing with you and test fit the shock cord right there. Under no load it's the fattest diameter and only gets skinnier as it stretches. if you can push it easily through the tubing you're good to go. You get more rubber vs sheath in larger shock cord so it works better on the original single tube Haas design vs the two tubes. Just run bigger if you crave instant lift response. My MEC bungee lasted many years. Somewhere there's a post with diameters but I used fridge drain tubing I think IIRC. I did the install with just about zero pre stretch. Attach about belly button to diaphragm level to chest loop. I remember the How to Make Your Own DIY Haas video but never saved a copy. Drama is the right word.
 
Bart_ said:
In Oregon you may have an equivalent store to Canada's Mountain Equipment Co-op where they specialize in outdoor, camping, hiking , climbing etc. Take a piece of your rigid shell tubing with you and test fit the shock cord right there.
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My choice to post in this thread has caused a lot of confusion. I am not putting a bungee in a tube and I am not trying to DIY a SAKA. I want a durable high-stretch non-abrasive bungee cord to advance the floating foot ascender that I already own. Shock cord from REI is stretchy enough but abrasive, and the 4mm Robline Dyneema is slick but not as stretchy as it is supposed to be.
 
Webfoot said:
My choice to post in this thread has caused a lot of confusion. I am not putting a bungee in a tube and I am not trying to DIY a SAKA. I want a durable high-stretch non-abrasive bungee cord to advance the floating foot ascender that I already own. Shock cord from REI is stretchy enough but abrasive, and the 4mm Robline Dyneema is slick but not as stretchy as it is supposed to be.
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I tried several over the years when making my DIY SAKA's and I think I had best results with Spectra and Marlow, but I also know I ended up spending countless hours and more than what an actual SAKA cost and never achieved comparable results. Until I got a SAKA, I didn't know how magical a proper knee ascender could be. I understand that you're not trying to recreate a SAKA though.
 
Webfoot said:
Would you ever use the SAKA without also using a foot ascender?
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For short quick climbs, I guess it could be done, but I've already got the foot ascender on my foot and it takes 2 seconds to clip in. Not sure I can think of a situation where using a SAKA without a foot ascender would be advantageous except maybe to gain elevation to get above a limb momentarily, or better positioning before a cut when few options are available. Foot ascender without SAKA, yes, but not the other way around, for me at least.
 
I should mention that I'm not a professional arborist. I've only been climbing for 8 years. I trim trees on my property as well as for friends and family who can't afford a professional, provided it's something I can safely do, but I don't charge for it. I just love to climb. Last year was the first time I've ever even been over 100' in a tree, so I know very little in the grand scheme of things. That said, if anyone else offers insights, best to listen to them and not me. I post very little because I'd rather keep my mouth shut and ears/eyes open to soak in the knowledge that these guys and gals are kind enough to share.
 
Webfoot said:
My choice to post in this thread has caused a lot of confusion. I am not putting a bungee in a tube and I am not trying to DIY a SAKA. I want a durable high-stretch non-abrasive bungee cord to advance the floating foot ascender that I already own. Shock cord from REI is stretchy enough but abrasive, and the 4mm Robline Dyneema is slick but not as stretchy as it is supposed to be.
Click to expand...
here is what your looking for. A couple of different options, so look around.
climbing-innovations.myshopify.com

SAKA white Dyneema Bungee replacement (not the mini)

Approximately 70 inches in length, white in color, Dyneema cover for low friction, with solid rubber core. May I suggest a backup, especially for international orders. White Dyneema bungee replacement and #8 stainless steel washers for the SAKA® and Foldable SAKA® Designed to fit the inside...
climbing-innovations.myshopify.com climbing-innovations.myshopify.com
 
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