Important Information on Sterling Hollow Block

[SecretAgentMan]

I haven’t tried the OpLux but that doesn’t surprise me. That stuff is pretty thin.


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Thank you for clarifying that. The Hollowblock hitched as an autoblock would not grab the Oplux when I tried it though.

Same here. I've used that solid, 13.5 cm, 6 mm Sterling autoblock and it works excellent on Oplux (for my 250# self). I've got some 5.5 mm Beal cordelette coming soon too to tinker with.

6.8 Hollowblock is 85% diameter of Oplux, which may not truly be a representative % since the thing is hollow.
6.0 Sterling Autoblock is 75%
5.5 Beal is 68.875%

My understanding is that for friction hitches of various types, you want to be in that 60-80% of the main line diameter. Again, as someone wiser than me mentioned, it's different for everyone and should be tested extensively at ground level. User weight, rope wear, etc. etc. are all factors. Just my experience.

 

[DanielB89]

@bj139

Thanks for that clear picture. Do you typically rappel with an ATC, or perhaps that Grigri I see in the photo? What's the main reason hunters use an autoblock? Convenience (e.g. stopping on rappel), safety (accidentally letting go of the brake line, ...) ?

Pardon all the questions - I'm curious.

I believe I can answer on his behalf...
Most guys are using it as a back up to their repel device. Some knots allow you for a 1 handed decent only by pulling the autoblock down the rope. If they stop pulling it stops. This really helps with something like an ATC. It allows me to control my decent with just one hand and it controls my tag end for me as well. With a mechanical device like a madrock safeguard the movement on them can be kinda jerky if you aren't very familiar with them. I have had a situation where I was not using a backup and dropped much quicker than I anticipated for about a foot or two and when I stopped I was in a great deal of pain lol.

I hope all that made sense. I am not very good with my wording.

 

[weekender21]

Are you using the 6.8mm hollowblock or the 6 mm sterling cord that is called an autoblock? I have 8 mm oplux tether and rappel rope, and I own both the 6.8 and the 6. The 6 isn't "hollow", and it's the one I use as an autoblock when rappelling as a backup on my tether (I use separate ropes for rappel and tether). I have not much use for the 6.8 hollowblock, except as maybe a gear hanger prusik. It doesn't grab the 8mm Oplux worth a crap for me. Definitely not well enough I'd trust my life with it. The 6mm sterling autoblock works excellent, for me, to hold me in place while I free my hands up to remove a stick or whatever. I use a grivel mono master.

Autoblock is just one of the many possible friction hitches you can tie with any friction hitch cord.

I typically use the Sterling Hollowblock in the French prusic configuration, the French prusic is often used as a synonym for autoblock although I don’t think that’s technically accurate.


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[SecretAgentMan]

Autoblock is just one of the many possible friction hitches you can tie with any friction hitch cord.

I typically use the Sterling Hollowblock in the French prusic configuration, the French prusic is often used as a synonym for autoblock although I don’t think that’s technically accurate.


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Right. I was stating that Sterling titles their 6.0mm sewn loop item as a Sterling Autoblock.

I’ve never had any luck getting the 6.8mm Hollowblock to bite on my 8mm Oplux when tied as an autoblock or a Klemheist.

 

[fawnzy]

I’m using an 11mm static line as a tether/rappell line.
ATC and Sterling hollow lock and my autoblock using a French prusik.
I’m about 250lbs all dressed up. 4 wraps on the prusik works well for me.


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[fawnzy]

Hollowblock as my autoblock


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[weekender21]

Right. I was stating that Sterling titles their 6.0mm sewn loop item as a Sterling Autoblock.

I’ve never had any luck getting the 6.8mm Hollowblock to bite on my 8mm Oplux when tied as an autoblock or a Klemheist.

Interesting. No issues here. Try an extra wrap maybe?


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[SecretAgentMan]

Interesting. No issues here. Try an extra wrap maybe?


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I don’t know. I’ve tried as many wraps as I can get and can’t get it to bite. Yours is the 6.8mm, right?

 

[St.CroixArcher]

With a lot of guys starting to one stick, myself included, I found this thread and think it should be read by anyone that hasn’t so I’m bumping it back up.

 

[weekender21]

I don’t know. I’ve tried as many wraps as I can get and can’t get it to bite. Yours is the 6.8mm, right?

Yes, 6.8mm Hollowblock. It slides a little easier than some other options but has worked for me. I found myself using sticks far more in 2020 than SRT and rappelling down. Maybe it works better because I have less than 100 descents on that rope?

Great thread and worth bumping. Hopefully it will be read in its entirety by anyone using a Hollowblock without previous knowledge.


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[weekender21]

With a lot of guys starting to one stick, myself included, I found this thread and think it should be read by anyone that hasn’t so I’m bumping it back up.

Good point and a worthy bump. Using a Sterling Hollowblock as your primary tether attachment while one sticking (inducing slack intentionally) is about the worst case scenario. Definitely not what the Hollowblock was designed for.


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[Apex7]

The Sterling Hollowblock is a high temperature resistant Prusik cord. If you are rappeling 800 feet down a cliff at high speed, you need it.
If you are rappeling 20 feet down a tree it is overkill. IMHO.

I like overkill. For me 20 bucks for a hollow block is no be deal. I rather have more than I need