Mason twine for guylines?

**Strauberry** · 03-25-2016, 09:50

I'm new to hammock camping and a friend of mine who has hammocked a bit has suggested using Mason twine for guylines.
I know Mason twine is not very strong, but it is only a guyline not a ridge line.
Mason twine is very cheap and brightly colored and could save a lot of money instead of buying amsteel not only for my ridgeline but in this case also for my guylines.

Has anyone used Mason line?

**gnomad** · 03-25-2016, 10:04

I have used braided Mason's line for guy lines and as a tarp ridgeline. It is plenty strong for these purposes

**DuctTape** · 03-25-2016, 10:20

I don't like it. But not for strength issues. Mason line tangles too easily, catches on debris, tying/untying in inclement weather is difficult especially frozen lines. My go to is spyderline. Expensive and heavier but much more versatile and has the properties I desire. Ymmv.

**Carrico** · 03-25-2016, 10:33

Most braided mason line is rated to 75 lbs that should be plenty strong, but like others have already said it tangles easy. Spider line isn't too much more and you can find it rated to 300lb but it tangels too. I'd suggest some kind of spool to keep it on.

**brianb** · 03-25-2016, 11:19

It works fine. Use the figure 8 method for storing the twine and you'll avoid tangles. Hard to work with when your hands are cold.

**ocnlogan** · 03-25-2016, 11:23

I agree with what everyone else has said. I've not used it as guylines, but I've worked with it enough to think its not the ideal rope for that purpose. It will work, but it does get caught on everything, and tangle easily.

Tarred bank line is similar in size(well, some sizes, it comes in a bunch), is still cheap like mason line, and is much stronger and easier to work with. The downside is its only available in "tar" black. Might be worth trying though

.

Good luck finding something that works for you.

**Klaussinator** · 03-25-2016, 11:57

Yup, I use it & love it!

Here's an earlier discussion ....
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...ing-as-Guyline

-Klauss

**Ratdog** · 03-25-2016, 11:59

I use it, like it, tangles when it's new but once it's worn in, tangles less.
My goto setup has the fancy shmancy DuPont stuff but the backups are all mason twine.

**Rolloff** · 03-25-2016, 16:40

Works fine. Use it for all my prototypes. Does not splice, but takes knots well. Even when I changed to Glowire for tie outs, I still use the prussics I made up out of braided mason line. Use figure 8 to wind it up as stated. Works just fine until you can pick up something better.