What's your preffered rope?

Has anyone tried the pmi static line that treestuff is selling? I saw Derrick's review, but would like to hear from more than one person.
 
Crimsonking said:
Has anyone tried the pmi static line that treestuff is selling? I saw Derrick's review, but would like to hear from more than one person.
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If you're referring to the PMI 11mm Classic Sport Rope, I have one that I started climbing with using two hand ascenders and a foot loop. Only used it a few times and moved on other ropes and gear.
How are you interested in using it? I could pull it out and give it a go if no one else chimes in.
 
I'm fairly interested, wanting to move away from the stretch of imori and find something I can use my gri gri to descend on.

What led you to set it aside?
 
Crimsonking said:
....What led you to set it aside?
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I don't really remember. I quickly started using 24 strand arb ropes with a Hitch Hiker, foot and knee ascenders.

I got it out today and set it over a branch 45' up with a leather friction saver and base anchor. The FS was used only to bring more rope into play to get a better idea of how much/little stretch it has. I also set up a Yale Aztec rope over a crotch 65' up with a base anchor and no friction saver next to the PMI for comparison.

The PMI has less stretch than the Aztec when you first weight it and what seems like zero bounce as you climb. The Aztec has a small amount of give as you climb but is not what I would call bouncy at all. Make a hard stop during a fast descent on the PMI and you might wish the rope had a little more give.

I briefly (trying to beat the rain) climbed SRT with a Rope Runner, Hitch Hiker and a Rope Wrench on the PMI. The HH and RW worked well enough although I didn't get a chance to fine tune the hitches. I had the RR adjusted for Aztec and on the slightly thinner and slicker (?) PMI I coasted to ground from about 20' up. I didn't have time to try adjusting the RR before I got rained out. I now have 300' of slightly damp rope spread out in the living room to dry.

The PMI is the most static rope I've climbed on and reminded me of climbing a ladder. It also gets stiff once weighed which goes away with a little flexing.

The PMI is OK for tying knots, but the softer Aztec is better.

The PMI has a nylon cover/nylon core and I personally like the idea of having a polyester cover for higher heat resistance but I don't know if this really come into play or not.

I also do not know if the PMI rope is actually suited to all of the climbing devices I use.
 
Thanks for that thorough review. Three of my coworkers have the Yale 11.7. I've tried it and like it well enough, but I really want to try a smaller line. Let me know if you ever want to sell. Thanks again, your level of response was incredible!
 
I cannot offer opinion on most ropes because both of my climbing ropes are Samson Arbormaster ... I've never climbed on anything else. I use them Ddrt and SRT. I do not understand the statements saying Arbormaster is not good for SRT. OTOH, I am cautious when remove toothed ascenders to avoid picking the ropes.
 
Hoowasat said:
I cannot offer opinion on most ropes because both of my climbing ropes are Samson Arbormaster ... I've never climbed on anything else. I use them Ddrt and SRT. I do not understand the statements saying Arbormaster is not good for SRT. OTOH, I am cautious when remove toothed ascenders to avoid picking the ropes.
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I think the problem is on 16 strand lines, if a climber took a fall and the ascender grabbed, it can rip the cover right off the core. Can happen on other lines but many have enough strength with just the core to hold you. Not The core Of 16 stands though.

Not 100% sure but I believe that's the case.
 
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Arbormaster, whoa there tiger....live a little, buy some YALE 11.7.....say ennie minee mo, and just pick one....both those blue streaks yellow streaks will become your light rigging ropes trust me.....lol
 
swingdude said:
Arbormaster, whoa there tiger....live a little ...
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I'm now at an age (56) where I fully comprehend why my dad always told me not to fix things if they ain't broke. Should've listened to him more often growing up. Unless there's some compelling evidence as to why I should not use Arbormaster, I'm not likely to go see if the grass really is greener on the other side. My Arbormaster ropes have served me well thus far.
 
I used the arbormaster on ddrt, bought a HH SRT, meh, a bit bouncy, flattens out a fair bit.... bought some vortex it's like a light switch went on. Good feel, nice and solid, bounce? what bounce? Very comforting rope, knots hold great, just a great feel while working SRWP. I am looking around for some 11.5 to try.... but not anytime soon.
 
You are 56, it was not always arbormaster....live a little and try a ferrari....you might be highly surprised...trust me and thank me later....just swing trying to help a brother.....why, cause he knows rope......IMG02322-20141003-2337.webp
 
I think the type of rope that works best for SRT depends a lot on the kind of climbing you do. If you do most of your climbing in relatively small trees and close to the road then you may not care much about weight or elasticity, but if you climb big trees and have to pack 600' lengths of rope over hill and dale, you want ropes with very low stretch, low bulk, and very light weight. Arbormaster fails dismally on all three counts. During the last several years I have experimented with PMI EZ Bend, Sterling HTP, Platinum, and New England Escalator for long ascents (250-300') in big trees, and here is my assessment:
PMI EZ Bend - way too stretchy for long ascents (unless you like feeling like a yo-yo). It stays in the bag.
Platinum - nice hand and no milk, but much like EZ Bend in terms of stretch. The yo-yo effect on a 250' ascent is pronounced. Plus it is ridiculously expensive.
Sterling HTP (10mm) - good rope for long ascents. Some bounce, but not bad compared to Platinum and EZ Bend.
Escalator - best of the four ropes for long ascents. Some minor milking, but has almost no bounce even on ascents of 250' or more. This has become my favorite rope for big trees. And the weight is about the same as HTP.
 
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