Samson Vortex Issues

[RyanH]

Is anybody else having the same issue with the Samson Vortex? I love this rope, but the new batches we've been getting have been doing this [see attached: new (left) versus old (right).]

 

The sheath bunches up badly in my hitch, too. While I know this is not the case, it subjectively feels like there's 30% less core inside the sheath as compared to normal batches. Samson has told us that they acknowledge there is a defect, but that they haven't been able to replicate the bend themselves; all seven of our climbers can anywhere along the lengths of the six ropes that we've had this issue with. I'm really bummed--the Vortex was great in the hands, worked SRT and DdRT, and had practically no stretch--but the stuff we've been getting lately is worrying.