8mm or 11mm - Ropeman 1 or Kong Duck

[bowhunthard88]

Ropeman 1 Failure

I don't wanna stir worms, but I do just want to stick this info out there while I have it. This is a link to the oft-referenced article about how a ropeman 1 fails, and a screenshot of the most relevant page I found. http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/crr_pdf/2001/crr01364.pdf Not saying use it or...

saddlehunter.com

Read the first post by @Nutterbuster . The Kong Duck and CT RollNLock are of similar design and would likely have the same results.

This discussion can be brought up many times, and safety IS a big concern, so I'm not saying it should not be a prominent point... This is why I stated that it is up to the individual to decide what they're will to accept as the risk percentage. It typically takes +4kN to stress an ascender enough to strip a rope sheath, and the typical fall (if you are unlucky enough) as a saddle hunter should not generate more than 1-2kN; unless a ton of slack is induced (improper procedure for the devices discussed) or your tether is not fully secure. I'm not negating the use of friction hitch, as I do use them in other venues, and have been reconsidering them as part of my current setup (not because I personally am uncomfortable with the CT devices). That being said, any fall that results in you safely reaching the ground, means that you need to discard and replace any piece of gear that was part of the load-bearing system that caught you, whether or not it looks "fine".

I digress... Back to the OP's topic. I do use Oplux for packability, but I do use 9mm Canyon C-IV for my SRT and rappelling techniques for saddle hunting, and the new Canyon Elite looks awesome (just haven't bought any yet).

 

[dlist777]

I've used 8mm oplux with a kong for 2 years now. It works great. I've tried prussik plus tender and it sometimes jams up on me. I like the kong. I've heard bad things about ropeman 2 chewing up rope, but never tried it.

 

[Hellir]

Not sure why you are “only going through the TETHRD company”, but by doing so you are unnecessarily excluding the rope that would seem to meet both of your desires....9mm canyon C-IV. With that rope you get a greater bulk over 8mm that you seem to like, but also still get some measure of a smaller diameter for packability over the 11mm without having to go all the way to 8mm. Also the 9mm is within spec for the Ropeman 1, Kong Duck and MadRock Safeguard. Technically, 8mm is out of spec for the Ropeman 1 and the MadRock Safeguard, although there are folks who use them on 8mm. Those above combined atributes are probably why so many choose Canyon C-IV over most other ropes. Good luck!

I guess my main reasoning is, I am a complete noob to saddle hunting and TETHRD was the first company I found. They have all the videos I need to help me learn how to actually saddle hunt. I know there are others as well. I have watched them too. But, also being new to the game, to start off, I am wanting something that is 100% fully put together. I don’t trust myself or know enough about ropes and splicing and knots and such to feel confident in making my own tether or LB. They come ready to go. That’s what I am needing to start. I would love to learn more and possibly in the future make my own stuff. Especially because I would be interested in repelling down from the tree. But not just yet ha.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bowhunthard88]

I guess my main reasoning is, I am a complete noob to saddle hunting and TETHRD was the first company I found. They have all the videos I need to help me learn how to actually saddle hunt. I know there are others as well. I have watched them too. But, also being new to the game, to start off, I am wanting something that is 100% fully put together. I don’t trust myself or know enough about ropes and splicing and knots and such to feel confident in making my own tether or LB. They come ready to go. That’s what I am needing to start. I would love to learn more and possibly in the future make my own stuff. Especially because I would be interested in repelling down from the tree. But not just yet ha.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Saddle Hunting Tether- Linesman Line Combo

ightest saddle hunting tether and lineman’s line available

www.wildedgeinc.com

Wild Edge Line Kit

A complete hunters line kit including: 1- 8 mm Tactical Saddle Line, 8 mm Sterling Oplux rope, 8.5 ft. rope with 1 factory-sewn 6 in. eye Compact, cut- and abrasion-resistant due to its Technora sheath, Rated to 4,625 lbs. 1- Duck Tactical Kong Ascender- mechanical prusik for effortless line...

www.wildedgeinc.com

Ultimate Tree Tether / Lineman’s Rope Kit (8mm)

Fully assembled kit for your saddle tree tether or lineman’s rope. Comes complete with an 8′ Resc Tech 8mm rope with 5″ sewn eye on one end along with a 22″ 6mm eye-to-eye t…

doublesteps.com

Check these out!

 

[bowhunthard88]

I guess my main reasoning is, I am a complete noob to saddle hunting and TETHRD was the first company I found. They have all the videos I need to help me learn how to actually saddle hunt. I know there are others as well. I have watched them too. But, also being new to the game, to start off, I am wanting something that is 100% fully put together. I don’t trust myself or know enough about ropes and splicing and knots and such to feel confident in making my own tether or LB. They come ready to go. That’s what I am needing to start. I would love to learn more and possibly in the future make my own stuff. Especially because I would be interested in repelling down from the tree. But not just yet ha.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Tree Tether & Lineman Rope Combo

The Tree Tether Lineman Rope Combo is the perfect solution for working at heights. Stay secure and comfortable during your hunts. Buy now!

www.cruzr.shop

Tree Tether / Lineman Rope

The Tree Tether Rope is a must-have for anyone working or hunting at heights. Stay secure and comfortable during your tree work. Order now!

www.cruzr.shop

Lineman Rope – CRUZR SADDLES

www.cruzr.shop

 

[Zero One Actual]

Cruzr and Latitude Outdoors also have LB and tether rope kits ready to go.

 

[BlindBuck]

I use 8mm. I use a kong on my linesman while climbing and a tender and Prussic on my tether. Something about hanging and trusting the mechanical device the whole time doesn’t make me fuzzy. Even tho I do use it while climbing for easy adjusting my linesman’s

This is exactly what I do.

Honestly I am thinking about going to something stiffer for my linesman this year though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MA_PAdeerslayer]

I kinda thought that climbing the other day.....sometimes the 8 gets stuck and I gotta mess with it to get it up

 

[Hellir]

This is exactly what I do.

Honestly I am thinking about going to something stiffer for my linesman this year though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

When you say stiffer are you referring to a higher mm rope or the same mm but with more stiffness? I’m still learning


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Hellir]

I think my initial concern (for a lack of better term) was if I should get the 8mm over the 11mm because the 8 was an upgrade from the 11. I’m learning that I don’t think it’s an upgrade. I think it’s all just preference. Surely the 11mm rope isn’t like carrying a brick compared to the 8mm. Idk, maybe I’m wrong. Really, it all seems to come down to preference.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MA_PAdeerslayer]

I’d call it 99.9% preference and .1% what your friends do lol

 

[Hellir]

I’d call it 99.9% preference and .1% what your friends do lol

I don’t have any friends that saddle hunt haha


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

I am new to saddle hunting. I just got my platform and saddle from TETHRD. I really like their company and their products. I was originally going to go with their only options for ropes and mechanical prusiks, which was their only option at the time. The 11mm lineman’s and tether ropes with the Ropeman 1. Now they have the 8mm with the Kong Duck. I realize this isn’t new to the rope world but it is new to me because I’m not deep in the climbing world. Or even saddle hunting at the moment. Learning though.

Can anyone help me with this debate? Why should I choose one over the other. I am 6’4” 230lb and have big hands. To me, the 11mm ‘feels’ safer because it is thicker. I understand that technically the 8mm rope is rated for more though. When I was first learning about saddle hunting, all the videos were of people using the Ropeman 1 so I got used to that being the way to go. They made it look like it works really smooth. I was able to try the Kong Duck not too long ago and, for me, it seemed difficult to use. Again, I am new and had never used it before. Just didn’t seem as smooth. But then again, I’ve never used the Ropeman 1 before.

I’m really stuck on which options to choose. I need to choose soon though. I hate having options. Lol. Sometimes it paralyzes me. So, what do y’all think? 8mm with Kong or 11mm with Ropeman? Both for Lineman’s and Tether. Thanks for the help.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The 11mm is in my opinion the better choice. A rope man is a great ascender and allows you to use many different carabiners. 8mm is thin and packs down great but it is made of technora (which is basically a Japanese version of Kevlar)which has great strength and heat resistance but it doesn’t like sun light and it does not stretch. Since you are planning on using a mechanical from the start, stretch and fear of falling is obviously not something your concerned with so either rope will work for your application, I am ok with a small diameter tether but 8mm is not firm enough for a linesman rope in my opinion because it doesn’t flip well. But I am sure you’ll receive different advice from others

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

I have and use both 8mm sterling oplux and 11mm Sampson predator. The 8mm is less weight and bulk. The “weight weenies” of this ‘tribe’ will recommend the 8mm. Both work fine.

Now to the question you did not ask. Mechanical ascender (not a mechanical prusik ) or friction hitch and tender? I would recommend the latter. It is not difficult to set up a friction hitch, e.g., distel, klemheist, schwabisch, and a hitch tender. The mechanical ascender is being used off-label when used for lineman’s belt or tether. It can, in the case of falls, potentially damage the rope.

You won’t get consensus about either, but I would recommend you try to find people with gear (both options) to try out. Also, do some more research on both options.

The only reason I can see for the reluctance to use a friction hitch and tender is someone not knowing how to set that up and possibly not having the confidence to do so. OR the marketing of saddle products is very very influential.

Mostly the marketing lol

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

Not sure why you are “only going through the TETHRD company”, but by doing so you are unnecessarily excluding the rope that would seem to meet both of your desires....9mm canyon C-IV. With that rope you get a greater bulk over 8mm that you seem to like, but also still get some measure of a smaller diameter for packability over the 11mm without having to go all the way to 8mm. Also the 9mm is within spec for the Ropeman 1, Kong Duck and MadRock Safeguard. Technically, 8mm is out of spec for the Ropeman 1 and the MadRock Safeguard, although there are folks who use them on 8mm. Those above combined atributes are probably why so many choose Canyon C-IV over most other ropes. Good luck!

Rope man 1 is 10-13mm rope man 2 goes lower

 

[2Sloe]

I guess my main reasoning is, I am a complete noob to saddle hunting and TETHRD was the first company I found. They have all the videos I need to help me learn how to actually saddle hunt. I know there are others as well. I have watched them too. But, also being new to the game, to start off, I am wanting something that is 100% fully put together. I don’t trust myself or know enough about ropes and splicing and knots and such to feel confident in making my own tether or LB. They come ready to go. That’s what I am needing to start. I would love to learn more and possibly in the future make my own stuff. Especially because I would be interested in repelling down from the tree. But not just yet ha.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Knowledge is what makes you comfortable. Just spend a few months reading this site and you will absorb enough knowledge to give you the comfort level that you are looking for. You will quickly learn who the go to companies are and who people trust. You will get enough facts, as well as opinions, on a myriad of saddle hunting related topics, which will enable you to make informed decisions. If you want to get up to speed quicker, pick a forum related to questions you have and go back to January 2020 and start reading forward. It’s a lot of the same answers to the same questions asked year after year by people like me an you who are new to the “sport”. I am sure that you will probably find multiple threads on “what rope are you using”. You can learn a lot....fast. Then of course there is YouTube and many threads will point you to very good videos on a variety of topics, like what knots to use where and how to tie them confidently. We are lucky, the world is our oyster, wasn’t like that 2 or three years ago....or so I’ve read. Good luck!

 

[Hellir]

Knowledge is what makes you comfortable. Just spend a few months reading this site and you will absorb enough knowledge to give you the comfort level that you are looking for. You will quickly learn who the go to companies are and who people trust. You will get enough facts, as well as opinions, on a myriad of saddle hunting related topics, which will enable you to make informed decisions. If you want to get up to speed quicker, pick a forum related to questions you have and go back to January 2020. It’s a lot of the same answers to the same questions asked year after year by people like me an you who are new to the “sport”. I am sure that you will probably find multiple threads on “what rope are you using”. You can learn a lot....fast. Then of course there is YouTube and many threads will point you to very good videos on a variety of topics, like what knots to use where and how to tie them confidently. We are lucky, the world is our oyster, wasn’t like that 2 or three years ago....or so I’ve read. Good luck!

Great advice. Thanks for taking time to reply. I’m excited to learn for sure.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Topdog]

I buy a lot of stuff online for work and play, Eastern Woods Outdoors is one of the BEST online vendors I have ever had the pleasure of doing business with, great service and a staff that hunts and uses the same products they sell, they will hook you up, I use oplux from them, tether and linesman.

 

[bowhunthard88]

When you say stiffer are you referring to a higher mm rope or the same mm but with more stiffness? I’m still learning


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Referencing a stiffer rope in general, not necessarily an increase in diameter.

 

[Hellir]

Looking around at other posts, they’ve got me interested in SRT, rappelling, 1 stick climbing, 1 hand ascenders. Anyone here do any of that? I’m interested because I’ve done some rappelling in the past and have enjoyed it. Also, it would save on carrying sticks and stuff. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Advantages/Disadvantages? Safety concerns?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk