self tending hitches?

[the verminator]

Hi,

 

i have been climbing on a v.t for a while and am very happy with it. but now i am after a knot that will self tend. i have tried a knut in a few different configurations but cant get it to self tend. the tree i tried it on wasnt very big so mabey there wasnt enough pull on the rope to get it to self tend? so what knots do you use that will self tend?

 

Gary

[Rupe]

A vt will. it needs to be tied as loose as you dare! And like you say you need enough weight of rope, the less rope the slacker it would have to be. Distel will do it and the Knut will although I have only just started to use that one myself so not totally got it right yet.

[Old Mill Tree Care]

Distal works well apparently, Lockjack works better!

[WeeDee]

A vt will. it needs to be tied as loose as you dare!

 

I agree.

Speedy up - speedy down!

[the verminator]

old mill, i have a mate with a lock jack and i do like it, but not the price tag

 

harmaony arb, i have 8mm OP and i use 13mm yale xtc rope.

 

ill have to try trying a bit looser as it wouldnt self tend even on 90ft beech trees. how many wraps and coils do you have on your v.t's?

[Tom Cook]

Schwabisch self tends quite well and tends to lock off nicely even if its nice and loose I usually use 8mm Armor Prus with it and it works nicely

[Dilz]

i have a eye to eye tibor on yale xtc tied as VT 3 coils and 2 twists with a hitch climber - if you dont use a hitch climber get one they improve the self tending qualities of your knot, the 3 x 2 combo i use scares the poop out of me but its slick and quick but naff on big take downs as when your hanging cutting through a big branch you tend to creep ever so slowly down.... self tends a dream though if i add another coil its much safer and grabs better but doesnt self tend as well even with the weight of the XTC - verdict tibor prussic isnt so great with XTC..

[Tony.Price]

I have used many different cords for VT, Distel and Knut. Ocean cord seems superior for self tending performance. Presently trying the spider jack. Great.....

[Dilz]

so tempted with a spider jack

[Tony.Price]

Can recommend the spider jack for working from small branch diameter or cambium saver but always revert to friction knots when working on larger diameter timber i.e. blocking down stems.