life expectancy for eye 2 eyes?

CutHighnLetFly

CutHighnLetFly

Been here a while
Location
Cape Cod, MA
Spent my first year climbing on a V.T. hitch w/ a pulley this year and it has been much more enjoyable than climbing off a blake's to say the least. that being said I'm starting to wonder if there is a "rule of thumb" for a when it's getting close to needing a new eye to eye. the one i've been using is looking pretty worn from friction (crusting over all melted n stuff). don't want to wasting money / have it fail.

any suggestions?
 
I personally keep a lifetime MAX of 6 months for hitch cord, and replace my rope bridge every year. For the cost of the little bit of cordage, it is made up in one day of climbing. Easily recoup- that investment.

And there is no investment better than safety and your peace of mind.
 
One hitch cord used as a producion climber for a year seems a tad long. I suggest getting a new one, or buy a length of prussic rope, your preference and tying double fisherman's knots. Way cheap for piece of mind. Just my $.02.......
 
I'd agree that a full year on a hitch chord is too long. I go by eye and performance, if it looks bad and doesn't perform as new or new-ish I replace it. Soooo.....you should really replace that hitch chord.
 
There is no hard number on how long a hitch will last due to all the variables, but you can expect decent longevity for the cost of the cordage with proper use and care.

If it's glazed...get off it.

Also, try using a heat resistant jacket for a bit more longevity.
 
[ QUOTE ]
There is no hard number on how long a hitch will last due to all the variables, but you can expect decent longevity for the cost of the cordage with proper use and care.

If it's glazed...get off it.

Also, try using a heat resistant jacket for a bit more longevity.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's true that there is no specific standard on when to retire a hitch chord. That being said, the glazing issue is a bit tricky. I usually glaze up a new hitch chord the first time I use it. It will fuzz out and break in after a couple of climbs. If I had to retire a hitch chord when glazed as a rule, I would probably only get one or two climbs out of an E2E.
 
I hear ya banjo, but I'm thinking about cordage like tenex and such. A small amount of glaze may be acceptable to some climbers on a high tech double braid cord, or one that is core dependent, but straight nylon hollow braid/plaited cord is a different story in my book. We still don't know what the original poster is climbing on...
 
I never see a hitch that far. Glazing sure but they get pretty sticky after a couple dozen climbs. For me I get tired of working the dam thing. There's nothing like a fresh hitch cord.
 
i was using this Sampson Ice cordage, seems to have a pretty high heat resistance. plus i dont do a whole hell of a lot of climbing so i figured i would be getting some time out of it.
Appreciate all the responses so quickly. show my wife this thread when she was doubting how badly i really need new gear.
think i might start a new thread explaining how the saddle given to me is too big and my saws pulling my back pad down giving me the arborist plummers crack....
 
I found the ice and tenex last a lot longer than anything else I have tried. Buy a bunch it is easy enough to splice making it quite affordable. Beeline glazed up after the first climb, and HRC didnt last long before the cover hemmoraged.
 
I hear ya about the tenex and such I'm sure that would get tough to deal with and sketchy once glazed. I was thinking more about the high tech stuff.
When it comes to getting new gear, telling the wife it makes you safer is the best bet!
 
I don't think it would be too bulky, I've just found that it binds a bit much for my taste.

cdekkema, I'm surprised to hear that HRC hemorrhaged on you. I think the old 10mm BeeLine is the only cord I have seen that happen with, and tenex is the only one I have ever glazed badly enough to remove from service.

I'm thinking that the length of the hitch and how much friction/heat is spread out could be a considerable factor in the life of a hitch.
 
Samson's ice tail is incredibly easy to splice, once spliced it nearly doubles in diameter and makes it sorta stiffer. With how easy it is I would skip the knots. Last time I made an order I got 20' of it and made 5 or 6 eye to eyes in just a few hours. This was also my second time splicing hollow braid, it's supper easy, a little tricky figuring out lengths since samson measurements are for a 33" cord and I like mine in the 26"-28" range. Its also a blend of 80% technora (high heat) and polyester(low melting) so you so get glazing at first, and then will wear nicely. I'm sure there are other cords that last longer, but not nearly as easy to splice your self
 
Post your question in 'The Splice Rack' section of TreeBuzz.

There is a good amount of information there if you search around / ask around.

Samson has a nice ring bound splicing guide, and the New England Ropes website has a downloadable splicing guide as well.

Good luck!
 
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