How to Tie the \'Eye-Tie\'
This is the hitch I've been playing around with. I now prefer it in terms of reliability and performance to anything else. The best results I've had are with 8mm prusik cord on 11mm life line, and 9mm cord on 13mm life line.
As with all performance hitches, be wary of using too stiff a cord that loosens easily but not always grips immediately. I have been using the new Marlow 9mm prusik cord that retains a nice round cross section without flattening. I think this cord is now available in the UK from Arb Essentials. Its red and yellow, not that pictured here, but on my website.
The easiest way I've found to tie it is by taking 6 wraps up the rope in the same way you'd tie Blake's hitch. Then, rather than tucking up the lower two coils as in the Blake's, just tuck up under the first. Tucking under two coils causes the hitch to slide! Don't do it! As with the Blakes, make sure you pass BEHIND the life line! This is what forms the eye to pull in the correct way. Equalise the two legs and clip both into krab either side of micro pulley as normal.
Pull down on the hitch; 4 wraps should remain at the top after folding the top coil and stretching out the lowest to get the S shape at the bottom. In the pictures, there is too much cord between the eye and the karabiner. About half this is right. This prevents too much slack from entering the hitch. At the same time, there needs to be enough space between micro pulley and the eye of the hitch to 'cock' the hitch, causing a distinct bend in the life-line, as can be seen from the side shot of the photo - which is why I've presented it this way.
In use, after settling down, the eye should actually form a box around the lifeline. You will find it better to tie the hitch first, then put in the half double fishes.
Tying less than 6 wraps creates an unreliable hitch, as it pulls out of shape. I have had success with 7 wraps though. If there is less than 4 wraps at the top of the hitch after use, you have too much length in the cord.
I hope the pics come out. If not, go to www.treemettlenexus.com and go to the R&D section. There are staged photos alongside the prusik research.
Obviously the downloads aren't working. I'll try again later when I have more time.
This is the hitch I've been playing around with. I now prefer it in terms of reliability and performance to anything else. The best results I've had are with 8mm prusik cord on 11mm life line, and 9mm cord on 13mm life line.
As with all performance hitches, be wary of using too stiff a cord that loosens easily but not always grips immediately. I have been using the new Marlow 9mm prusik cord that retains a nice round cross section without flattening. I think this cord is now available in the UK from Arb Essentials. Its red and yellow, not that pictured here, but on my website.
The easiest way I've found to tie it is by taking 6 wraps up the rope in the same way you'd tie Blake's hitch. Then, rather than tucking up the lower two coils as in the Blake's, just tuck up under the first. Tucking under two coils causes the hitch to slide! Don't do it! As with the Blakes, make sure you pass BEHIND the life line! This is what forms the eye to pull in the correct way. Equalise the two legs and clip both into krab either side of micro pulley as normal.
Pull down on the hitch; 4 wraps should remain at the top after folding the top coil and stretching out the lowest to get the S shape at the bottom. In the pictures, there is too much cord between the eye and the karabiner. About half this is right. This prevents too much slack from entering the hitch. At the same time, there needs to be enough space between micro pulley and the eye of the hitch to 'cock' the hitch, causing a distinct bend in the life-line, as can be seen from the side shot of the photo - which is why I've presented it this way.
In use, after settling down, the eye should actually form a box around the lifeline. You will find it better to tie the hitch first, then put in the half double fishes.
Tying less than 6 wraps creates an unreliable hitch, as it pulls out of shape. I have had success with 7 wraps though. If there is less than 4 wraps at the top of the hitch after use, you have too much length in the cord.
I hope the pics come out. If not, go to www.treemettlenexus.com and go to the R&D section. There are staged photos alongside the prusik research.
Obviously the downloads aren't working. I'll try again later when I have more time.
