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  1. #1
    New Member
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    Jan 2015
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    Best guyline/ridgeline rope for using knots?

    I'm new to hammocks, and as a knot enthusiast, I looked forward to combining a new hobby with an existing one. Most of my previous knot tying and splicing came from sailing years ago, before the modern Spectra type line became common.

    I've enjoyed learning about Amsteel, Zing-It, and Dynaglide, and have, thanks to the great tutorials from Opie and others, made my own whoopies, continuous loops, etc. I've also bought some of Dutch's great hardware. This stuff is amazing--no surprise that it's so popular--and it is fun to splice.

    But deep down, I'm still a knot guy. I'm wondering what rope other hammock + knot enthusiasts use. I'll probably stick with spliced Amsteel 7/64" for hammock suspension, but I'd like to try some other options for my tarp guylines, tie-outs, and ridgeline. I've used Zing-It with slipped buntlines, water bowlines, and other knots relatively suited to slippery line. But the stuff is just too small for me to enjoy working, especially in the cold when my fingers stiffen up. So I'm looking for something that's got a larger diameter, that's fairly easy to work, and that holds knots well. I know I'll pay a significant weight penalty, and the stretch characteristics may not be as good, but that's ok. I can always go back to Zing-It if I'm doing an extended trip where weight/bulk become more important.

    Any suggestions?

  2. #2
    Senior Member pgibson's Avatar
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    Apr 2009
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    SW Idaho
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    AHE 1.1 dbl
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    I use our Reflective Draw cord for tarp tie outs on my car camping rig. Makes it easy to see and it's a easy line to work with, holds knots well and is not slippery like the dynema/spectra type lines. If I am more concerned with weight and am ok with knots, which I am then most of my tarps have our 1/16" polyester line on them, but it's much smaller...smaller than 1.75mm zing/lash it so it takes that dexterity that can be though with cold hands.
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  3. #3
    Senior Member Richard Tipton's Avatar
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    Jun 2013
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    Nashville, TN
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    Planer board line is all I use for my tarp. Super easy to splice and the knots hold up well. Before I got my tarpworms and hookworms, I used a tautline hitch for my guylines and a figure 9 for my ridgeline.
    "Never corner anything meaner than you are...."-Unknown

  4. #4
    New Member
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    Aug 2013
    Location
    OR
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    Ridgerunner
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    4
    If you want to use knots, I'd recommend Lawson Glowire. I used it before switching to Zing-It and never had a knot slip when using it.

    Edit: Link

  5. #5
    Senior Member SmokeBait's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Defiance, Missouri
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    Warbonett BB 1.1 DL
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    BWDD Winter Dream2
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    whoopieslings.com
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    1,337
    Hey JackJ, Zing it comes in two sizes, 1.75mm and 2.2mm. Not sure what size you have used but if it was 1.75mm, try the 2.2mm as it is much easier to work with IMHO.

  6. #6
    Senior Member
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    May 2012
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    PA
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    I like plain old Nite Ize reflective cord. It has a coarse texture and holds a tautline hitch very well. The cord I use isn't a whole lot thicker than Zing-it, but I believe they make a thicker option.

  7. #7
    New Member
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    Jan 2015
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    Thanks for all the great suggestions--I'll definitely be giving these a try.

  8. #8
    Member -Sawg's Avatar
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    Oct 2016
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    Minnesota, eh!
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gruxxx View Post
    I like plain old Nite Ize reflective cord. It has a coarse texture and holds a tautline hitch very well. The cord I use isn't a whole lot thicker than Zing-it, but I believe they make a thicker option.
    Gruxxx, does the Nite Ize stretch? I am considering this cord for my tarp ridgeline, but I want to make sure my tarp doesn't sag. Thanks!
    Matt

  9. #9
    Senior Member Bubba's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    SW Ontario, Canada
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    Quote Originally Posted by -Sawg View Post
    Gruxxx, does the Nite Ize stretch? I am considering this cord for my tarp ridgeline, but I want to make sure my tarp doesn't sag. Thanks!
    Matt
    The Nite-Ize cord I've had in the past stretches. Go with Zing-it if you don't want any stretch.
    Don't let life get in the way of living.

  10. #10
    Senior Member HoosierT's Avatar
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    Mar 2016
    Location
    Fishers, IN
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    DIY GE
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    Quote Originally Posted by JHoward77 View Post
    If you want to use knots, I'd recommend Lawson Glowire. I used it before switching to Zing-It and never had a knot slip when using it.

    Edit: Link
    I have used Lawsons on all all my shelters and it is really awesome stuff. The 2mm is the perfect balance of weight and workability. If you don't plan to use Line Loc 3's, then I see no reason to use he 3mm.

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