friction hitch woes

Thanks for the pics, now I know what the hitch I'm climbing on is called. I started using it after noticing that my VT would start to loose raps and they would turn to twists. We had arbormaster training and Jamie Remme showed me it after I expressed my problems with the VT.
 
I've been using the Knut Hitch for about 3-4 yrs. now. I switched over from the VT for the reasons expressed here. I never really trusted the VT. The Knut on the other hand once properly dressed (as all hitches should be) works pretty flawlessly for me. I am using 3/8 (10MM) Beeline on Safety Blue climbing line!
 
I switched from a Blake's to the Distal. I found that the Distal would lock down on the climb line when it was wet, and it was very hard to loosen up. I then went to the Schwabisch and I like that a lot better. Grabs every time and is very responsive.

I use 8mm Bee Line on a 1/2" Arbor Plex. although I might try 10mm next time.
 
try twisting or rotating the 2nd leg just prior to attaching to biner. it will give minute adjustment either way depending on twist direction.
 
there is a difference too between not grabbing if you lightly sit back in your harness and not catching if you actually fall. my experience is a fast and loose VT will catch me if i actually fall because all it needs is a slight bit of friction to engage against the rope. So while it may be a little nerve racking when the VT does not catch when your sit back slowly in your harness while body thrusting, try just falling and see what it does, it wont let you go to the ground. you may go a couple of feet at the most before the fibers of the rope and friction hitch catch eachother and lock.

I think it is a good thing when it will not set without some prompting either by your hand or by the occurance of a quick fall. I see it kind of working like a seatbelt which locks in the occurance of speed or impact but you can move easily under controlled speeds.

when climbing on a bridge system however, I use variations of a michoacan or or a knut which seems to never not catch. The reason is that while on the bridge system I can not manually set my knot when I sit back because it is a little out of practical reach. that can be scary. the downside is it is a slower knot and locks up sometimes.

when I do not use the bridge system, I like a good and fast VT that does not set and grab on its own but allows the rope to fly right through it. I do not worry about it not catching me when i fall because I know it will. as long as it is not slipping while I have weight on it.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hey Rich,

What length hitch cord are you using?

Just curious,

Chris

[/ QUOTE ]


Typically 27" between the eyes made out IceTail. It works beautifully in conjuction with either my Tachyon or Velocity.
 
Thanks for the advices fellers,
the articles on the site on friction hitches were helpful too.
I'm going to need to try out the VT again with the twist below the top turns. Seems like a winner. My problem was on that initial grab after ascending, not so much the hold afterward. Otherwise it has been a pretty silky-smooth hitch.
Now I'll have to work on my technique to match the high-performance hitch...
 
I just started using the Michoacan (sp?)...thanks Jeremy up in Chicago. I have a 28" eye and eye made from IceTail, and my climbing line is Blaze. This is by far the smoothest, most trustworthy hitch that I've ever used. Absolutely loving the freedom to "run" but stop on a dimes notice with no worries about it loosening up on me. All goes back to personal preference though...I've found the butter for my bread
pbj.gif
 
I prefer to tie my VT with the crosses over-under-over, that seems to keep it a little more in shape. The thing with VT is that you have to check on it, or give it a stroke with your hand every time it is to be loaded just to be sure. The good thing about it is that you keep an eye on the biners at the same time.
Rangerdanger, I hope I misunderstood you when you wrote that you take in the slack when you reach a branch you can stand on, you really need to take in the slack for every second thrust when body thrusting, otherwise you will be exposed to a far too big fall if you slip.
Cheers
Svein
 
[ QUOTE ]
try twisting or rotating the 2nd leg just prior to attaching to biner. it will give minute adjustment either way depending on twist direction.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is good advice, it works especially well with firm handed cords like HRC.

I go over-under-over on the braids with 3 wraps.
 
OK, a new question:
Does anyone here climb on Samson Bluestreak, and if so, what tail and hitch is working for you?

Spent some time monkeying around with new hitches and spliced a few new tails and have decided that my main problem may be my climbing line. Softer hand ropes seem to work better (my old Wall pro-spec, Bailey's Blackmax), but the Samson line is what I'm planning on using at the Ohio TCC next month. Best results to this point seems to be a Distel hitch tied in HRC or 8mm Beeline.

I spliced a long tail out of beeline so I could get more length for the VT and crossed version, but my finished tail was stiffened too much to be very useful, so I guess the jury is still out on the VT.

Anyways, take it easy fellers.
Ryan
 
Im now climbing Blue streak with a VT tied with BailOut. Absolutely LOVE it!!! No failure to lock up when weighted, perfect release on descent, great combination. Im going to most likely get some Ice Tail to splice into split tails, but for now the BailOut is working great.

As far as the VT not working, just need to break it in a tad, I had the same problem when my BailOut was new, works great now. Anyone else will tell you, its all about the top wraps and the number of crosses in the hitch. Just play around with it low and slow, youll get it. Hang in there!
 
Those are my photos of the XT earlier in the thread (at least the way I tie it). Since I've been climbing on it for a while I'm using 5 coils up top with 8mm Beeline and Tachyon. It handles super sweet, self-tends nicely and grabs when needed. As has been mentioned it's all about tuning the length of the hitch cord for the line you're climbing on. For the XT it seems that it should be tied tight, barely get the eyes onto the biner, it will stretch out a little once you load it. A lot of the photos I see of peoples VT's the legs look way too long.

5 wrap XT:
2398650661_4af62e11f9.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom