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Ropeman or Acenders???

Acender Vs Prusik Knot

  • Acender

    Votes: 27 69.2%
  • Prusik

    Votes: 4 10.3%
  • Other Knot

    Votes: 8 20.5%

  • Total voters
    39

Ugly Duck

New Member
Oct 18, 2017
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Ive been noticing here and there that alot of folks are using the ropeman or something of the like. I understand the function and can see the the speed may increase but what are the other benefits of this vs. the prusik knot? Is this used on just the bridge or linemans or both or lifeline? I like gadgets that make life easier in the tree but as of now I dont see the benefits outweighing the addition to more metal parts to clank, make noise and service. Pretty new to this so any help is always appreciated. Thanks guys!
 

redsquirrel

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I use an ascender on my tether and my lineman's belt. Noise is a non-issue with them for me. Comes out of my pouch, hooks up and goes back in the pouch when done. For the lineman's belt a prussik can't even compare IMO. For a tether it is more comparable, but the ascender is much easier to make small adjustments, which i periodically do. The only thing comparable to a ascender on a lineman's belt for me would be the tree spider lineman's belt, but the hardware is noisier.

If you buy one to try out, you will most likely end up buying another. It is the type of thing you really just need to have hands on it to appreciate it.
 

DaveT1963

Well-Known Member
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Dec 2, 2014
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I use an ascender on my tether and my lineman's belt. Noise is a non-issue with them for me. Comes out of my pouch, hooks up and goes back in the pouch when done. For the lineman's belt a prussik can't even compare IMO. For a tether it is more comparable, but the ascender is much easier to make small adjustments, which i periodically do. The only thing comparable to a ascender on a lineman's belt for me would be the tree spider lineman's belt, but the hardware is noisier.

If you buy one to try out, you will most likely end up buying another. It is the type of thing you really just need to have hands on it to appreciate it.


x2. The only place I do use a prussic is right below my tether ropeman I have a prussic so that I can clip into my RCH.
 

Apex7

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SH Member
Jan 6, 2017
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I have 4 ropeman 1 on my linesman belt 1on my tether 1on my bridge and 1on my Red squirrel climbing aider. I love them. I aslo like a adjustable bridge.
 
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WARPONY

Active Member
Jan 31, 2018
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I use an ascender backed up by a prussick on my linemans. Then use a prussik on my teather.
 

Dakotablues

Member
Nov 28, 2017
83
90
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52
Any posts links or pics anyone could share that describes and shows how Ropeman's are being "backed" up by prusik knots? If the prusik is on the tag or "downstream" end of the line, that would help if the Ropeman fails. But what if the Ropeman cuts the rope, or is that just NOT a valid concern? If that is valid, are people somehow fashioning a prusik "above" the Ropeman on the line?

New to it for sure and just want to learn the safest way to use a Ropeman. Have a linemans belt assembly in process right now - trying to decide on if I'd incorporate one on the tether or not. That prusik or blake's hitch seems much easier to adjust. Thanks much.
 

TFNC

Member
Nov 28, 2016
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NEA
Any posts links or pics anyone could share that describes and shows how Ropeman's are being "backed" up by prusik knots? If the prusik is on the tag or "downstream" end of the line, that would help if the Ropeman fails. But what if the Ropeman cuts the rope, or is that just NOT a valid concern? If that is valid, are people somehow fashioning a prusik "above" the Ropeman on the line?

New to it for sure and just want to learn the safest way to use a Ropeman. Have a linemans belt assembly in process right now - trying to decide on if I'd incorporate one on the tether or not. That prusik or blake's hitch seems much easier to adjust. Thanks much.
I actually have the prusik above my ropeman then clipped into my carabiner. My thinking on this is that if the ropeman fails the prusik will grab and catch the biner. If you put it below the ropeman and it failed the ropeman could just push the prusik(which would all be caught with a stopper knot) In the event of a rope being cut I honestly dont know if the prusik would bite in time to catch you but I dont feel that would be a major risk. Im also very new at this so my thinking my be way off mark lol.
 

Ugly Duck

New Member
Oct 18, 2017
25
14
3
38
Any posts links or pics anyone could share that describes and shows how Ropeman's are being "backed" up by prusik knots? If the prusik is on the tag or "downstream" end of the line, that would help if the Ropeman fails. But what if the Ropeman cuts the rope, or is that just NOT a valid concern? If that is valid, are people somehow fashioning a prusik "above" the Ropeman on the line?

New to it for sure and just want to learn the safest way to use a Ropeman. Have a linemans belt assembly in process right now - trying to decide on if I'd incorporate one on the tether or not. That prusik or blake's hitch seems much easier to adjust. Thanks much.


Very new here myself, its real intimidating the first few times swinging around up there. Can never be too safe IMO, I don't think I would pay too much mind to it cutting the rope.. If fellas are willing to use it dangling off 1,000ft rock face. I think my 20ft in a tree somehow seems minor. Although... dead is dead
 

Jefferson10940

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Feb 6, 2017
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Under no circumstance will the ropeman 1 cut your rope at all, not even a little bit, never mind in half. The failing part is if the ropeman somehow breaks. But you do want to use a rope that is the correct diameter and material. I use Yale bandit or Samsom predator, both ropes used by New Tribe in their saddle packages. There was one time I put the wrong end of my tether through the figure 8 knot (I have a figure 8 on both ends) and then the ropeman is useless as it was upside down, no resistance.
 

redsquirrel

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Under no circumstance will the ropeman 1 cut your rope at all, not even a little bit, never mind in half.
The only caveat to this is as long as you are using the ropeman1 with rope it is spec'ed for. There was concerns with the ropeman1 cutting through a rope smaller than it is spec'ed for in the event of a fall.

IMO in our uses there is no concern with a ropeman1 cutting through the rope, even if you happened to use it with slightly out of spec rope.
 

Dakotablues

Member
Nov 28, 2017
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The only caveat to this is as long as you are using the ropeman1 with rope it is spec'ed for. There was concerns with the ropeman1 cutting through a rope smaller than it is spec'ed for in the event of a fall.

IMO in our uses there is no concern with a ropeman1 cutting through the rope, even if you happened to use it with slightly out of spec rope.
Appreciate the responses - yeah - I thought I had seen on a thread there was discussion of one potentially cutting a rope. Regardless, I do think they warn that it's not to be used as a fall arrest, but I know plenty are doing so - tight tether at all times being our best friend.
 
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redsquirrel

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Appreciate the responses - yeah - I thought I had seen on a thread there was discussion of one potentially cutting a rope. Regardless, I do think they warn that it's not to be used as a fall arrest, but I know plenty are doing so - tight tether at all times being our best friend.
I agree with their warning. I wouldn't use it for a fall arrest. But I have no problem using it as a tether when I'm not going to fall.