Speed hooks, whats wrong with em?

[Sunndog]

Just a quick one folks

I'v heard of dutch speed hooks and and i'v heard of them failing.....but what was actually wrong, i'm guessing it was the stopper "knot" slipping off the end of the hook?



Cheers......adam

[WaffleBox]

They destroy the amsteel leads at the spot that wraps around the speed hook.

[Floridahanger]

The Speed Hook itself didn't fail, like WB states, it frays the Amsteel Lead a bit.

I still use mine since they first came out from the first batch. If you have some and want to still use them, just take a few extra seconds to use them right.
I give a full turn instead of a half turn to lock it in. Pull on the SH to pre tighten the suspension before getting in the hammock. This will help to keep too much friction from popping some of the threads as you load the hammock.

[TominMN]

The Speed Hook itself didn't fail, like WB states, it frays the Amsteel Lead a bit.

I still use mine since they first came out from the first batch. If you have some and want to still use them, just take a few extra seconds to use them right.
I give a full turn instead of a half turn to lock it in. Pull on the SH to pre tighten the suspension before getting in the hammock. This will help to keep too much friction from popping some of the threads as you load the hammock.

I think these steps go a long way toward minimizing wear.

There also seems to be concern about the Amsteel getting compressed and having it make small radius turns around the hardware. I think these issues are pretty much the same in that a fraction of the number of fibers end up carrying too much load.

It seems Dutch is being extra cautious in trying to develop the next generation to be sure that any replacement would eliminate most, if not all, of the problems. He doesn't like to have products disappoint/fail.

That said, I think there are a number of folks that are happy to keep using them carefully and are willing the replace the lead a bit more frequently for the advantages that Speed Hooks offer.

[Sunndog]

Thanks chaps

The reason i ask is i happened to watch a speed hook video while looking for whoopie hook vids

Turns out i'm using loopalien large UFA's in much the same manner so was just wondering if i'm going to encounter similar problems.
I'v had a few hangs with the UFS's and loads with the knock offs before that, and not noticed any damage to my amsteel as yet.....i'll keep a close eye on em though

[pgibson]

It was not so much even the fraying. Dutch used some for a while and then tested the break strength of the amsteel and it failed much lower than normal. The way the amsteel wrapped around and over it self puts your full weight on small contact points on the speed hook. Amsteel does not handle being crushed very well. The small surface area being smushed can weaken the amsteel. Amsteel is made to be a replacement for steel cable neither of which like small radius turns or being deformed.