What friction hitch are you on?

[Heads up]

VT for me

 

Got any pictures of the martin hitch?

[Tom D]

Here you go.

 

You can add more wraps to suit your rope/cord

[ledders666]

what is the VT, i just use simple old prussiks

[ledders666]

is the martin hitch a modified blake hitch effecticly, if so whats the benfits of this?

[Tom D]

is the martin hitch a modified blake hitch effecticly, if so whats the benfits of this?

 

Yes, but the blakes is an "open" ( you only tie in to one end) hitch where as the martin is a "closed"(both ends on the krab) Hitch. Open hitches need thicker cord and are therefore more bulky:thumbdown:

[daltontrees]

For what it's worth I can't settle on a preference. I have been climbing for 20 years and always fall back (no pun intended) on the prussik. The guy I climb with likes a 2 wrap prussik and I would like to use a Klemheist for general tree work but because we usually swop over mid shift and leave the loops on the ropes I use a 3 wrap prussik, he complains that the 3 is hard to unlock I complain that the 2 doesn't lock properly (and I nearly decked it once as proof). I can't be bothered with minder pulleys or else I would probably be using the VT. I am fairly addicted to my swedish strop for close-up stuff, it's so stiff that it doesn't really matter if it doesn't hug the stem. Climbing buddy uses a prussik on a short strop and can never rein it right in as a result. I ought to experiment with a really short prussik loop. Blake's hitch is an interesting suggestion that would get round the problem of the fixed length of a loop and the bulk of the 'fishermans'.

[Steve Bullman]

why cant you be bothered with minder pulleys?

[Stephen Blair]

if you cant be bothered swapping your mates prussik for yours then i wouldnt bother trying the vt as it takes a bit more thought and time to set up and master.

[broadsword]

i use a VT and a hitch climber on my main line and a swabisch and micro pulley on my lanyard. seems pretty bullet proof but i have to say its a very personal thing. depends quite alot on the style of climber you are and your weight. being quite a heavy bloke i like the vt cos it slides easily but grips well when loaded depending on the friction cord and rope diameter. there are many wierd and wonderful friction knot variations to try but proceed with caution as some may not grip as well as you would think. rope/friction cord diameter configurations can be very important.

[cordwood]

Prussic here, what i learnt to climb with. Now work mostly on my own, so don't get the chance to see other climber's using different hitches.

Some interesting knot's used on here though, although i would be nervous to use them without being shown first hand!