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Timber hitch questions

Hunter260

Hunter260

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2019
Messages
1,585
Location
Ash Flat, AR
I’m very interested in the timber hitch, looks like a great way to get rid of that last cam buckle strap I have. I have a few questions.

What rope are you using?

If it’s 1/4 amsteel do you do a full Bury?

Is 12 feet an appropriate length?

Is it just as solid on let’s say a ridge runner?

Would the rope mod be better?

Should I just stick with the stock gear and focus more on trying to locate and kill my target animal instead of useless diy mods????? (I know the answer to this one)
 
I would like to give a helpful comment but the way I'm using the knot is totally different than what u are trying to accomplish.... I'm using 8mm climbing rope.... Never tried amsteel but I would assume based on the wear from my climbing stick amsteel ropes that the amsteel may not be the best candidate.... The way the knot constricts and contacts and kinda rolls down the tree would lead me to believe u would have frayed up amsteel really quicky.....
 
Weldabeast said:
I would like to give a helpful comment but the way I'm using the knot is totally different than what u are trying to accomplish.... I'm using 8mm climbing rope.... Never tried amsteel but I would assume based on the wear from my climbing stick amsteel ropes that the amsteel may not be the best candidate.... The way the knot constricts and contacts and kinda rolls down the tree would lead me to believe u would have frayed up amsteel really quicky.....
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But I’m saddle hunting..... I thought I had to use amsteel for everything
 
Ii tried amsteel on WE steps and it did fray really bad so off it came!!! If you want to use it you can but I don't think it would last very long just my 2 cents!!!
 
Recurveaholic said:
Ii tried amsteel on WE steps and it did fray really bad so off it came!!! If you want to use it you can but I don't think it would last very long just my 2 cents!!!
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I was going to try Amsteel on my Primal step platform. Maybe it's not a good idea.
 
bj139 said:
I was going to try Amsteel on my Primal step platform. Maybe it's not a good idea.
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It will work fine but I didn't like how bad it frayed on rougher barked trees! And if you really wanted to use it you could use it and then just change it every year!
 

Alternative Method for Platform Attachment

As I've previously stated, I'm not a big fan of the cam buckle straps supplied with most of the current saddle platforms for attachment to the tree. The buckle feels big and bulky to me and, worse yet I always seem to clank it off the metal platform at the most inopportune times. For the last...
saddlehunter.com
 
I have a Scout Solo in order, so I have been messing around with the Timber Hitch on my Ridge Runner and various climbing sticks. It works fantastic.
If anyone is interested, here is s a picture of a couple of variations that are working well for me:
eafc7d2564fc84ff51e17153606d4e05.plist


Both have a finished length of 8’

The top is 1/8” with a full bury. 1.38 oz

The bottom is 3/8” with just a locked Brummell loop at one end. 1.62 oz

They both work well. I think the 3/8” is a little easier to make the hitch and definitely faster to make a new one.

The 1/8” is a little lighter and might hold up better (thanks to the full bury) against the repeated cycle of compression that comes with a Timber Hitch.
 
Can you tighten the strap once the stick is on the tree or do you have to get it right the first time or try try again.
 
bj139 said:
Can you tighten the strap once the stick is on the tree or do you have to get it right the first time or try try again.
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I have found the key is absolutely not the just having more wraps, but rather to have the wraps 180 degrees from the stick/step/platform.

The number of wraps is going to vary based on the type and diameter of rope you are using. For instance, 3/16” Amsteel likes 3 or 4 wraps for me (The type of bark on the tree plays a factor).

If you do too many wraps, you lose the ability to tighten it. It’s a delicate balance, but I have only been messing around with it for three days and I already have the muscle memory to get it right the first time almost every time.
 
With the cam buckle I can just pull on the tag end and it tightens. I have fiddled with those knots too many times on Primal steps and I don't know if I want to do more fiddling.
 
bj139 said:
With the cam buckle I can just pull on the tag end and it tightens. I have fiddled with those knots too many times on Primal steps and I don't know if I want to do more fiddling.
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Understandable! Its not as fussy as WE stepps though
 
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