Thank you, Reed... I was about to mention Tenex-TEC for the obvious reason that it solves a lot of the problems mentioned. I think it is easy to forget how strong it is for its diameter. There's a reason it makes great slings. And, a brummel doesn't care about side loading. I carry a short, Tenex-TEC ultrasling on my belt. If I want to choke off to a stem, I add it to the end of the lanyard or climb line. If I'm tired of carrying it on my belt, I just leave it on there. Small steel ring on one end... big, rigging steel ring on the other end (small ring will pass through big one). Cordura chafe sleeve (2" wide stuff) covering it, sewn to brummel at one end. To stick one end through the loops, I just bunch up the chafe sleeve toward the other end until the right loop is exposed. No brainer. Useful for dozens of things.
