Favorite soft shackle video?

[dmonn]

I'd like to try my hand at making soft shackles. Anybody got a good video they used to learn how? I've watched a bunch and still am not sure I'm tying the button knot correctly. I like the choking loop at the end using a "spaced out brummel". I had originally thought the loop was a fixed loop, and so shied away from soft shackles feeling like loading them incorrectly could cause them to fail. Creating a loop that chokes down at the base of the button knot seems pretty safe.

 

[Njdelaney]

@Brocky will be along shortly to sort this out. He makes a really nice soft shackle.

 

[Lignotuber]

Look up how not 2 highline on YouTube. Best softie videos

 

[Brocky]

The best video for me is one by Brion Toss waiting in the Tasmania Airport explaining it to someone who captured it. Very clear explanation from the inventor.

The eye shouldn’t be tight, but somewhat loose, this allows both legs to be loaded equally. Too tight and only one leg is doing the work.

They need to be set by loading, first end to end then closed up. I just bounce on them, sailors use their winch to put a couple thousand pounds on them, but they are loading them with more weight.

Another way to make them is using a method that the Gin Soft Shackle has come up with, instead of the brummel eye, only a loop is made and the end is girth hitched to itself next to the stopper knot. The Gin only uses an overhand stopper with buries, so maybe the girth hitch clamps down enough that it isn’t trying to pull the stopper off. This type is much easier to operate and can be undone one hand.

I currently use both types on my harness. The black girth hitched one replaced a carabiner to hold it together, and it holds a waist ascender, with a regular soft shackle next to it for a Sticht friction hitch. There is a girth hitch one with a yellow tubing cover to extend a clip in point also. I still use the button knot, but not sure if that much security is needed.

 

[dmonn]

I've spent way too much time staring at my computer screen over the past week or so trying to decipher the intricacies of diamond knots, button knots, and overhand/double-locked knots (my made-up name for it). I think I've got things figured out pretty well. Today I tried all three knots on soft shackles using 1/4" Amsteel. I found the overhand/double-locked knot to be pretty foolproof, but stupidly bulky and uses a ton of line. It's really overkill for what its purpose is (IMO).

The button knot is nearly undecipherable (crazy complex), and has lots of potential for screwing it up as a result. At least it's smaller than the overhand knot thingy and uses a little less line.

For me, the diamond knot was the clear winner. It's the smallest of the three, but definitely big enough to be very secure. It's relatively simple to tie, so that reduces the chances of screwing it up. A little time at the end using mechanical advantage and a hot knife and you get a very clean looking soft shackle that has no potential of rolling out. I've got it down to less than 45 minutes to complete, and can create the dimensions I want for the completed soft shackle.

I was also wondering if anybody has had any bad experience with using a soft shackle. I haven't read of any in my searches.

 

[Ragnar]

This is the video I found the most helpful for the button knot. Many different ways to splice the shackle itself, I settled on a single pass loop (just first part of locked brummel) and a button knot with tails burried.

The knot was the most challenging part for me to learn.

Made a few this weekend from 5/16". All started with the same cut length of rope. Small differences in noose eye size, how close the button knot is to the twine constrictor knot when done, knot setting, and length of tails/burry result in some OAL variation.

I think the main benefit to the button knot is that the tails come out along the legs of the shackle so they can be burried. End up with 4 legs of rope for the noose loop to lock onto (more shear strength and larger bend radius). Once you get the hang of it, its not bad to tie. Takes more time to dress and set it well.

The final form before you tuck the tails down through the crown and along the legs of the shackle. The next step is pretty clear in the video.

Tried to get some pics of final part. May be better to watch video.

Same pic as above, just snugged up a bit and held in my hand looking down the top. Thumb and index finger are on front and back of shackle legs (inside the knot).

Open up crown. You can see my fingers (black spots) are where the tails need to go.

Now insert tails. Bottom right to top left. Top left to bottom right. Imori ends up where thumb was. Blue Moon ends up where index finger was.

Not a very clear pic but this is the complete knot.

From the bottom side.

From top.

 

[dmonn]

Better than a video. Thanks!

 

[SeanRuel]

Awesome! Great detail

 

[Brocky]

I’ve always tied it in 3D as Brion shows, laying it flat makes things a lot clearer, much easier to wrap your brain around it!

 

[Ragnar]

Not sure this is even worth the effort but I have been playing around with tensioning the knot. I get the knot tight except for two sections around perimeter. May try burrying the tails before tensioning to see if this helps.

This jig version was not up to the task. Will make a stronger version next. Specs for Hi-Lift claim ~5000 lb tension. Will try and break a few 1/8" shackles with it.

 

[Brocky]

It’s been found that there’s more strength retained if it is set closed rather than a straight pull. Also suggested to do buries after setting the knot.

 

[Ragnar]

Finally got around to making a more robust jig. Would probably do it a bit differently next time but this one will do for now and used scrap materials.

I do the first knot setting in the closed configuration, massage with a mallet, then tension in the open configuration.

 

[Ragnar]

Someone here posted this idea, dont recall who, but thank you. Floor jack works great to tighten the knot.

 

[prunetang]

From top.

Thank you for this!
I'll be trying on some soft shackles in a couple weekends.

Side question - I received some of this green and black rope you have here; Yale Cordage IMG150S Imori Green? do you know an appropriate splice for this rope?

Second side question - is there already a resource/chart of ropes and their appropriate splice options? if not is anyone excited to work on it with me?

 

[Shadowscape]

Thank you for this!
I'll be trying on some soft shackles in a couple weekends.

Side question - I received some of this green and black rope you have here; Yale Cordage IMG150S Imori Green? do you know an appropriate splice for this rope?

Second side question - is there already a resource/chart of ropes and their appropriate splice options? if not is anyone excited to work on it with me?

How to Splice Rope | Rope Splicing Instructions & Tutorial

Access easy-to-follow tutorials and instructional videos on rope splicing, covering techniques for braided and synthetic ropes. Learn essential skills for safely and reliably splicing ropes in different industries.

www.samsonrope.com

 

[Ragnar]

Yes, ropes are Yale Imori and Blue Moon (XTC 24).

Plenty of good how to videos on YT.