Alpine butterfly knot?

[gakayaker]

I have been looking for the easiest suspension to make and use and this weekend I plan on using the webbing from some old ratchet straps to make something quite similar to the eno slap straps. I plan to use webbing already with a loop at the end, and make a bunch of alpine butterfly knots and with that I will have a bunch of loops for adjustability, then I can attach a s-hook or a biner to and presto, a quick and easy setup.

I was wondering if anyone has already tried this and how this worked out for them.

Will post on how it works out.

[Knotty]

The alpine butterfly is one of my favorite knots but using it as you suggest is going to use up a lot of webbing, adding unnecessary weight and bulk.

Check out GrizzlyAdams video series, A Brief Primer on Hammock Suspension in the video forum for some great suspension ideas.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/v...ils&videoid=99

[TeeDee]

I think I remember Grizz posting about using Alpine Butterflies in his suspension once.

Cannot remember much else.

Maybe he'll step in and relate his experience if it was pertinent.

[gakayaker]

don't much care about the weight of it since I will be using it to hold down bags on my kayak for overnighters while it isn't holding up my hammock. The length may be an issue but if it is I was just planning to attach some rope that I have to give it an extra 5 feet on each side.

[warbonnetguy]

i'd say a adjustable buckle type suspension would be more convenient, just but a pair of cinch buckles or 4 smc rings: more/easier adjustability, less bulk, less webbing needed.

[gakayaker]

is there any store(non-online) I can buy these from?

[pedro]

Eastern Mountain Sports, if there's one in your area, usually carries descending rings. You can also use carabiners in place of the rings, they're a bit heavier. If weight really isn't an issue, you can use stainless shackles from Home Depot. Just don't use welded rings. They have a high failure rate.

[gakayaker]

Just in case anyone was wondering how this worked out, I figured I would do a follow up. I found that it shortened the webbing by 3 times its normal length. Due to this I will be switching to this suspension system soon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXYOwL0arrg

How ever it did work and didn't cost me a dime by having to buy rings, biners, amsteel or anything else. It also kept me from damaging any trees with my accessory rope that I used to use.

[Knotty]

Did you watch Grizz's three videos on hammock suspension?

It condenses not just his, but the collective experience of many on this forum.

[Nest]

Just in case anyone was wondering how this worked out, I figured I would do a follow up. I found that it shortened the webbing by 3 times its normal length. Due to this I will be switching to this suspension system soon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXYOwL0arrg

To be honest, you don't even need all that to have a decent suspension. I use a single ring, but a biner will work too. Instead of tying the clove hitch just wrap the webbing through the biner twice then back it up with a slip know. A lot faster to do because you don't have to visualize what side the webbing is on and all that. Also readjusting is easier because you just undo the slip know and move the biner. The two wraps creat enough friction that the slip knot hold fine. I've only seen it used on someone in the 200 lb range though, so it could have a weight limit.