Hi,
I got into this site via a search for soft shackles about a week ago, and I found this cool tutorial here: http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...shackle+prusik
However, since then photobucket changed it's policy and ruined image links in forums all over the internet, destroying Opie's tutorial in the process.
Fortunately, I made enough soft shackles before the images went away, that I learned the process.
Anyhow, I made a new tutorial for you guys.
This is what I am trying to teach you to make:
This video shows how to use them (go to 1:30).
These are light duty soft shackles. I wouldn't trust them with too much load. Animated knots has a selection of strong ones: http://www.animatedknots.com/indexsplicing.php
I use this one to hang my hammock: http://www.animatedknots.com/softsha...nger/index.php
That said, these little ones are less than a gram each, and useful.
Here goes. I do things just a little different than Opie showed.
I'm using 1.75mm (1/16") Zing It. http://samsonrope.com/Pages/Product.aspx?ProductID=811
Due to its small size, Zing It is harder to work with than the thicker amsteel products. You may want to practice with thicker line to start.
Here are my tools:
I use a piece of stainless wire for a fid, and a little hook. Hang tight, and I'll show you what the hook is for.
Start by cutting a 14 inch piece of line.
Next, mark 2.5 inches from one end. This is where the shackle eye will go.
Pass the fid through the line, and use it to pull the short end through.
Here, I place the hook so I can pull and not collapse the loop.
I pull the loop tight.
Next make a mark 1.5 inches down the line. Here we are forming our slack so we can open the shackle later. Push the fid through where the mark is, and pull the short tail through (missed a photo, sorry).
Next, pull the slack so the shackle loop is snug. Then push the fid through the short tail as shown. Use the fid to pull the long tail back through.
The result should look like this. Now, bury the tail by pushing the fid into the center of the line. Go a bit more than 0.25 inch past the end of the tail.
Bring the fid out close to the beginning of the tail.
Next, secure the tail with the fid. With this small line, it really helps to dress the tail where it passes through the fid. Just try to streamline it where it will go into the core.
Pull the tail down through the core of the line until it comes out, then remove the fid. You'll have to massage it a bit. Be patient.
Next, milk the line down until the tail disappears into the core. You've finished the hardest bit now.
Next mark the other end of the line at 1.5 inches. Then fold the line at the mark.
Work the fid into the core. Make the fid exit at the fold.
Grab the tail with the fid, and pull it into the core of the line until it comes out with the fid.
After you remove the fid, milk the line down until the tail disappears.
Next tie an overhand knot in the fattened end of the line. Done.
Open the shackle like this.
Pull it snug to close it.
Post up any questions you have.
All credit to Opie for teaching me how with his tutorial.
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Originally Posted by hewittdallas
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