spiked line

[Mahk_Adams]

If a climbing line (Velocity Hot) has been stepped on and through with a spike, but the line looks fine and feels fine, is there any reason to think that the line could have internal damage?

Norm??

Nick??

 

[Colin]

Yes.

But you know that. A nick is one thing, a complete penetration is another...

 

[SCOTTYNC]

I would think so, why chance a clean penetration. Line is cheaper than a trip to the ER don't you think Mahk.
Be safe scotty

 

[NickfromWI]

If the fibers have not been cut, I'd keep using it. I spike the ropes all the time with an awl when splicing them. When you pull the awl out, everything goes back to where it was before.

Now if there are damaged fibers, that's another story.

love
nick

 

[skew]

I'm thinking you just got two shorter ropes.

 

[jamie]

i frayed 2 of my blazed strands, enough for it to be a constant concern. hence my 2 short ropes.

i occasioanlly spike ropes, provided there is no damage a bit of massaging and i carry on.

Jamie

 

[Lumberjack]

I agree with Nick, just because they have been penetrated doesn't mean they aren't fine.

I would check the core to make sure its fine, if all appears well then I would charge on using it.

 

[Norm_Hall]

Is there any way to pull out the core to check it? That's what I would do. I've spiked a rope and checked it to find very minimal fiber damage. I think the fibers separate when it is spiked.

 

[Mark Chisholm]

It's said that crampons can go through the rope and not damage it, so I'd say the same for spikes.

 

[TreeCo]

I'm sure the outer jacket makes it hard to tell if there is inside damage.

Here is an idea,
Take the section of rope where the spike occurred and put it over a low natural crotch and tie foot loops a couple of feet off the ground in each end. Then with a helper work that section a bit and see if any abnormal shape develops.

It would be nice if there were some type of dye that you could put on that section of rope to aid your monitoring.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

An unscientific test could be done...secure a piece of old rope and spend some time spiking it along a section. Mark the spike wounds with a marker. Then take the time to disect them to look for internal damage.

 

[JJackson]

I agree on checking the core as the cover shows no damage.

 

[Lumberjack]

Its not hard to simply get the core out, pull out 5' on either side if you care to, check for damage and milk it back in.


It depends on how the spike goes into the rope, and how the spike is sharpened as to the damage it causes, every case is different.

My spikes, when sharpened (isn't that always?)are sharp on the tip, and the 2 inside edges, opposite the spine of the shank.... if that makes sense?

 

[Mahk_Adams]

I will probably pull out the core. I have spiked other ropes and, if I couldn't see any external damge, not worried about it. For some reason, however, this just stayed on my mind.

Thanks for the suggestions.