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bridge - Rope vs Amsteel

llama32

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Aug 7, 2023
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I know this is a old subject but there's been a lot of new stuff that's come out what are guys opinions on me
bridge - Rope vs Amsteel
Is there really all that much weight savings to go into it

I see that Amsteel guy has one
 

IndyBowhunter

Member
Mar 13, 2019
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I'm considering changing from Amsteel to Rope for next season. I like the Amsteel so far, but it really is a pain to adjust once the prussic has been weighted. I typically climb one stick with it adjusted way down short, and then lengthen my bridge at height, and I find myself needing to unweight my tether more than I'd care to on my platform (or switch to linemans) to fidget with the prusik to get the thing to adjust.
 

llama32

Member
SH Member
Aug 7, 2023
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5
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I'm considering changing from Amsteel to Rope for next season. I like the Amsteel so far, but it really is a pain to adjust once the prussic has been weighted. I typically climb one stick with it adjusted way down short, and then lengthen my bridge at height, and I find myself needing to unweight my tether more than I'd care to on my platform (or switch to linemans) to fidget with the prusik to get the thing to adjust.
I was just wondering if this would help as the Amsteel guy made one it looks pretty easy to adjust
 

llama32

Member
SH Member
Aug 7, 2023
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I see no point in an amsteel bridge. The weight savings is negligible, like an ounce or two.

But this topic has been discussed quite a bit in the past- tons of opinions for your reading pleasure linked here- https://www.google.com/search?q=ams...RVOBv0QrQIoBHoECCIQBQ&biw=412&bih=770&dpr=3.5
Thank you for the info I'm wanting to get updated views and opinions since most of those trads were couple of years ago

But yes thank you very much as if it's only saving me if a few ounces in weight might not be worth it to change
 

GCTerpfan

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Aug 11, 2017
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But yes thank you very much as if it's only saving me if a few ounces in weight might not be worth it to change

I wouldn't change what you have. I have used rope, webbing and amsteel bridges. They all have their pro's and con's but unless you have a very specific need, IMO when you look at the totality of the differences it isn't worth the effort to swap out whatever comes on your saddle.
 

HuumanCreed

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Aug 21, 2020
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Westminster Maryland
I wouldn't change what you have. I have used rope, webbing and amsteel bridges. They all have their pro's and con's but unless you have a very specific need, IMO when you look at the totality of the differences it isn't worth the effort to swap out whatever comes on your saddle.
Also depends on the way you have the carabiner and how often you mess with your bridge. Rope is probably the easier to adjust at height especially if you are onesticking with a short bridge and expanding it for hunt height comfort.

But I have enjoy a fixed webbing at the moment. Look at the Dryad webbing config, I think its very adjustable.
 
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raisins

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Jan 17, 2019
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I was against amsteel bridges pretty hard and removed the one from my Cruzr and replaced it with an Oplux/TRC one.

Then I got a Woods saddle and the amsteel bridge was a better design and made better. I left it on and have softened on the idea. I am using a dynamic tether so I figure I might be able to handle a VERY static bridge a bit better now.
 

Chimney7

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Jan 12, 2020
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Rope. 100%. Amsteel is not to be used at more than a 45 degree angle. It says it on the paperwork that comes with it.

Edit: I cannot find in the paperwork what I was referring to. I’m going to leave my original comment here and just say I was wrong.
 
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raisins

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Jan 17, 2019
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Rope. 100%. Amsteel is not to be used at more than a 45 degree angle. It says it on the paperwork that comes with it.

So, if the carabiner is at the peak and the two sides are attached to the saddle, then the black below is okay but red is not?

If so, I'm amazed that this isn't known here. Am I understanding this correctly?


1702573511951.png
 

Will Harris

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Sep 26, 2018
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Indiana
funny how we are all different. i made an adjustable amsteel bridge and wouldnt have anything else. i like the fact that once its set, theres no chance it will move until i want it to. i dont adjust the bridge after its set at beginning of a hunt
 
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samu

Active Member
Dec 16, 2022
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I did a megabridge from 6mm SK78 12-braid, fully buried it's about 10mm thick or bit more. Absolutely nuts, probably not keeping it, but the distel hitch adjusts very smoothly even after loading, which is nice. Adjuster made from full bury 5mm.
 

Chimney7

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Jan 12, 2020
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So, if the carabiner is at the peak and the two sides are attached to the saddle, then the black below is okay but red is not?

If so, I'm amazed that this isn't known here. Am I understanding this correctly?


View attachment 96906
Black is not okay. Guess the wording can be confusing.

Now I’m going to have to dig out the paperwork and check to make sure I’m not talking out of my butt.

Edit: it appears as though I was indeed talking out of my butt.
 
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jsh909

Well-Known Member
Sep 24, 2022
293
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Ohio
I switched my amsteel bridge out last weekend for a fixed rope bridge (Canyon C-IV) been happy with it so far. I one stick and hunt from a short bridge. I haven't adjusted my bridge in a few years, so I figured what's the point. Cleaned up tag ends since taking the pictures
 

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bfriendly

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Jul 15, 2021
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My hawk saddle came with an amsteel bridge, the new buzzard has resctech. Once I got past the trust factor with amsteel, I loved it. The new one is adjustable and I think an adjustable bridge would be easier to adjust if it were rope.
 

raisins

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Jan 17, 2019
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Black is not okay. Guess the wording can be confusing.

Now I’m going to have to dig out the paperwork and check to make sure I’m not talking out of my butt.

please do....if you can't bend amsteel back on itself at all....then why does Samson have resources for splicing eyes and loops? Any loop is a 180 bend when in use.
 
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Chimney7

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Jan 12, 2020
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please do....if you can't bend amsteel back on itself at all....then why does Samson have resources for splicing eyes and loops? Any loop is a 180 bend when in use.
I’ve looked and I’ve looked, and I cannot find in writing what I’m referencing. So I guess the only thing to do would be to say that I was wrong and can’t prove what I said.

If you look at Samson’s rope guide. It does state that “when a rope is deflected more than 10 degrees around a surface the effective diameter of that surface should not be less than three times the diameter of the rope. Stated another way, the diameter of the surface should be at least three times the rope diameter.”

no matter what you choose, stay safe!
 
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TreeRecon

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Sep 10, 2023
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Amsteel was never intended to be used for life safety. Show me an industrial harness or arb saddle that uses Amsteel for the life safety connection? Maybe there is one, but I haven't found it in all my discussions and research. This is marketing being pushed by saddle manufacturers, accessories too. Amsteel isn't new and has been around forever.

The durability of Amsteel can't match climbing rope. Amsteel is an awesome product, but there are better options for climbing.

The weight savings is nil when comparing a 6' piece to climbing rope.
 

TreeRecon

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Sep 10, 2023
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please do....if you can't bend amsteel back on itself at all....then why does Samson have resources for splicing eyes and loops? Any loop is a 180 bend when in use.
Splicing is the only proper method
So, if the carabiner is at the peak and the two sides are attached to the saddle, then the black below is okay but red is not?

If so, I'm amazed that this isn't known here. Am I understanding this correctly?


View attachment 96906
Amsteel is designed for straight pulls. Think about the original intention, winches etc.

You're not supposed to tie knots in Amsteel and are supposed to splice instead.
 
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