Alternative to Blakes

[WorcsWuss]

I've had a search and I know this has been covered, but where do you guys recommend I go from a Blakes and why?

I'm getting a little hacked with my Blakes, on 11mm rope it can bind up with the big old split tail I have.

Without investing in a load of new kit, what do you think is a good alternative?

 

I want to stick with DdRT and ideally I don't want to shell out 70 quid for a hitchclimber kit [although it is on my christmas list

 

I ascend on the Blakes, use it as a back up & high anchor for limb walking but come down on a figure 8 [really fast ].

I have a lanyard with a VT on the end of it for work positioning, and I like it so much I'm going to make up another really long one to use as well.

 

What friction hitch could I use with my existing 13mm split tail [i know I know, don't say it's too fat...!] which will jam up less than a Blakes?

 

Thanks

Simon

[RobRainford]

Buy the hitch climber or stein sky walker, both are good and I actually prefer the stein.

 

Then buy ocean polyester or armor pruss and make up your own lengths with fisherman knots. A bit cheaper!

[Tom D]

If you really don't want to go down the HC route (although I think you should) then try this.

http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/climbers-talk/21327-dave-rich-howard-knut-combo-treeflex-mod.html

[WorcsWuss]

Cheers lads.

I will try to set up the knut!

Does this self-tend? My blakes runs up by itself on a pulley off the standing end of the climbing line.

[Tom D]

Cheers lads.

I will try to set up the knut!

Does this self-tend? My blakes runs up by itself on a pulley off the standing end of the climbing line.

 

That isn't a knut, is a howard hitch with a knut finish, it will tend easier than a blames for sure. A straight forward knut would be another choice.

[Tom D]

one final thing, that is a closed hitch i.e. both legs must be attached to your krab, unlike your blakes which is only attached on one leg.

[WorcsWuss]

Which bit of it is a howard hitch? There doesn't look to be a lot of it left in there...!

Is a closed hitch going to work with my gecko split tail? Going to get a bit messy when I stick a buntline or something on the end of it...? Would I not be better with an open hitch like a helical?

[brothergrim]

Tautline ??

[WorcsWuss]

Tautline binds too easily.

What I'm looking for I guess is an open hitch with the characteristics of a VT....?

[DrewB]

Helical bro