Swivel???

[richhoffman]

Anyone ever climb with a swivel to take out rope twist???

 

[Tom Dunlap]

I had one for a while but didn't like it. Then I traded it to Nick...he didn't like it at the time. Then some lowlife broke into his car and stole it and some other gear...hate lowlifes.

 

[tom_otto]

I climb with a swivel. And, well,.. sometimes I like it, and sometimes I don't. It seems to work the way I want it to about half the time. If your rope really gets twisted, the rope can cause the swivel to spin, making a mess of your whole setup ( friction hitch and termination). On the other hand, there are times when you might need to flip around, or change positions on a branch, and the swivel can help keep your setup orderly.

 

[Treespotter]

[ QUOTE ]
Then some lowlife broke into his car and stole it

[/ QUOTE ]

That's a positive "twist" (swivel/turn in events) to a "rip off" (IMO bad product/been stolen).

I don't like it either. It's a nice product, but not on my harness. Keeping the twist out of the rope by putting a 'noodle nest' of rope on my lap

 

[Waratah]

I Have just started climbing on a petzel swivel since i was shown how to us it at a recent workshop by B Strasser
and i would not climb any other way now.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

[ QUOTE ]
...i was shown how to us it...

[/ QUOTE ]

Can you share some pictures or a description of how you use the swivel?

 

[Waratah]

i have a glide harness and i have the swivel straight on the bridge then i connect a biner with a frnch prussic and pulley to the top of the swivel.
i will try and post a pic.
what problems did you have with your set up.

 

[TC]

[ QUOTE ]
Keeping the twist out of the rope by putting a 'noodle nest' of rope on my lap

[/ QUOTE ]

Great point Treespotter,

I use the ground.

Coiling ropes is an art form akin to origami

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Waratah,

When I used the swivel it let me spin around while I was climbing. The swivel also let my hitch move around so that the 'front of the hitch was over to the side. It is rare that my climbing line gets more than a half twist in it.

A picture of your setup would be great.

 

[richhoffman]

This is just something I have been pondering. When a twist does happen it isn't a big deal to straighten it out!!!

 

[NickfromWI]

They also stole one of Karina's bras!!!!!

I did use the swivel for a little bit, but didn't like it much. I'm sure there are places where it would be very useful.

I'd like to see pictures of your set up, too, Waratah!

love
nick

 

[branchdoctor]

I've been considering a swivel for a while now but I just haven't been able to justify spending $65.00 for one.

 

[tom_otto]

Tom,

How do you keep your rope from twisting?

 

[Tom Dunlap]

First, I use a Rope Guide with the pulley set as long as possible. Then I keep track of the spirals in my rope as I climb. If I cross I move the rope and uncross. It is very rare that I ever have one full helix twist in my rope. Every once in a while it's easier to lanyard in and unclip the eye spliced end of the rope and unwrap the twist.

 

[treesandsurf]

[ QUOTE ]
They also stole one of Karina's bras!!!!!

love
nick

[/ QUOTE ]

nick, do I detect a hint of euc man tendency??

jp

 

[andy_engelsk]

I was using a petzl swizel some time ago, it realy was pretty good, but at the time i had a tree austria and the swivel, plus karabiners realy extended the distance to reach for the friction hitch too much.
I hung it up and forgot about it, but i will have a play about on the new harness tomorrow.
like i say it is a good idea, just needs tuning to reduce the extra length.

 

[moss]

A swivel is very good when you double crotch and want to spin under your ropes to change position. If you keep it installed on your harness you can use it or not use it as the situation demands.
-moss

 

[Treespotter]

True. But it's not that many times that that happens does it.

 

[Waratah]

Hi Tom

here is a Pic of my swivel set up.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Thanks for posting the pics of the swivel setup. That's very similar to what I used and didn't like.

The problem that I had was when I wanted to brace against my rope to put my hips/shoulders in a particular orientation. The swivel would not allow me to stay in that position and I would have to fight to stay aligned.

One thing that I REALLY like in your setup is that you have your two biners gates opposing. That is something that too many climbers don't consider. I get nervous seeing gates touching each other creating 'gate clash'. Anothe solution is to use a long and short biner, still with opposing gates, so that the biners nest together nicely.