schwabisch prusik cords

[tech_arborist]

I was wondering if any has any experience with the tenex eye and eye prusik cords from Sherrill? the ends of the splice keep coming out through the cover in the middle of the cord. it is really annoying because at first glance it looks like the cord has been cut but at closer inspection you can tell the splice tail is just milking its way out. Sherrill replaced a couple for myself and another of my co-workers who had tthe same problem. ( he actually noticed it first) but now they say just trim it off as it comes out. Is the strength or integrity of the prusik being compromised? what should i do? I really like the schwabisch but dont know of anything else to tie it with.

 

[treeclimber165]

I bought one of those cords when I first started with the advanced hitches. Tried several different types of cord and have settled on the 8mm New England Sta-Set. I buy it in bulk from Sailnet, got my last 100' on sale at 21¢ per foot. It's listed at 29¢ right now.
http://www.sailnet.com/store/item.cfm?pid=27014
3/8" is 57¢.
I just tie the ends using a double fisherman's as shown in the Tree Climber's Companion or in this picture.

 

[Kevin]

Don't worry about it, you'll likely wear out the hitch before you trim much off.
When I make them I taper the ends and overlap them in the center of the hitch.
I have never had the need to trim anything off after using the hitch.

 

[NickfromWI]

Yeah, this is no big deal...After you use them for a couple of days, the exposed strand ends become dirty. Just give them a little tug and pull until you see clean stuff. Carefully snip off the dirty ends (and maybe a TINY bit more) then maybe put a carabiner on both ends and pull. Everything should settle back in place and you'll be back in service in no time!
Regarding the loss of stength when you do this...maybe you would be losing a tiny bit, but it's only what would be noticed if you were to break it on a rope-breaking machine. There should be a locking Brummell on each eye, so there is no worry of the splice failing while you're climbing around in a tree.

All is well. Just don't snip the cover strands when you are using those scissors!

love
nick

 

[tech_arborist]

thanks for the info
i feel better about using these prusik cords now
maybe i will just tie my own in the future though