Soft shackles instead of CLs on hammock...

**chapinb** · 02-20-2019, 17:45

+1 for the soft shackle or evo loop. Started using both late fall and have been very happy with them.
That darn button knot got me though. Animated knots, tacblades and myers videos, I just couldn't follow. And if its not tied correctly, it will capsize fairly easily...
This is where I actually got the hang of it.
http://l-36.com/button_knot_top.php
Few notes on this. Using 2 different colors of line helps to follow. Tape the 2 together. When the knot is being tightened, do not pull up on the knot. you want to push it down and feed the line excess line as your tightening it to the tails. And make sure the knot is tight! A loose knot can wiggle loose or capsize on you. It should make a satisfying thud when hit on something, as someone has mentioned in one of the reviews.

This page also has how to's to make other shackles too.

**Hefty Hanger** · 02-20-2019, 22:49

I learned myers way from his video. After a couple times its easy. Ive made a lot of them now.

**Snaps** · 08-20-2019, 10:44

I'm coming back to this thread because I now have some of Jeff's evo loops instead of CLs on my Chameleon, and if I get some time today, I'm going to attempt to tie some button knot loops onto the ends of my tree straps by following his video here. My only question is: in the video, Jeff uses 30" of 3/16" Saturn line. Since I'll be using [s]7/16"[/s]7/64" Amsteel, is there any difference in the starting length of the rope I'll need to use?

**ylnfrt** · 08-20-2019, 14:07

Originally Posted by Snaps

I'm coming back to this thread because I now have some of Jeff's evo loops instead of CLs on my Chameleon, and if I get some time today, I'm going to attempt to tie some button knot loops onto the ends of my tree straps by following his video here. My only question is: in the video, Jeff uses 30" of 3/16" Saturn line. Since I'll be using 7/16" Amsteel, is there any difference in the starting length of the rope I'll need to use?

When I make a button knot with 7/64 Amsteel- I put my tape at 6" in from the ends. After making the BN this gives me 2+ " for the bury on each leg. Works great

**Snaps** · 08-20-2019, 15:47

OK... finished one tree strap/shackle combo. Wow, am I bad at button knots... this is what eventually go me through it, too:

Originally Posted by chapinb

http://l-36.com/button_knot_top.php

Those sanity-check steps are helpful: "This is what you should have at this point. If it doesn't look like this, arrange it until it does." Had it not been for these stop-and-breathe steps, I might have given up and gone back to carabiners. Whew.

**ylnfrt** · 08-20-2019, 17:10

Originally Posted by Snaps

I'm coming back to this thread because I now have some of Jeff's evo loops instead of CLs on my Chameleon, and if I get some time today, I'm going to attempt to tie some button knot loops onto the ends of my tree straps by following his video here. My only question is: in the video, Jeff uses 30" of 3/16" Saturn line. Since I'll be using 7/16" Amsteel, is there any difference in the starting length of the rope I'll need to use?

I think you mean ""7/64"" amsteel- right?

**Phantom Grappler** · 08-20-2019, 17:37

Originally Posted by cmoulder

Careful there — it's addictive!

Button knot Jeff Myers shows in video—is it larger than diamond knot?
And is it larger than double diamond knot?
How much larger, roughly, if it is larger?

I haven’t learned that button knot. Ive been using double diamond knots
And have a project in mind using triple diamond knots. Don’t know if I have patience and dexterity to tie triple diamond knot.

Addictive ha, I can quit at any time
Like when I croak haha

**Snaps** · 08-20-2019, 19:39

Originally Posted by ylnfrt

I think you mean ""7/64"" amsteel- right?

Doh, yes, I did. Thanks.

Ultimately I tied them as shown in the Myers Tech vid--9" from the ends--with a satisfactory finished length and trimmed maybe 1-1/2" off of each end. So I could have started with 27".

**cmoulder** · 08-20-2019, 20:25

Originally Posted by Snaps

Doh, yes, I did. Thanks.

Ultimately I tied them as shown in the Myers Tech vid--9" from the ends--with a satisfactory finished length and trimmed maybe 1-1/2" off of each end. So I could have started with 27".

That's interesting because with 7/64 amsteel I came to the same conclusion that 7.5" is about right when taping the ends before tying. Myers is using much heavier material for better clarity in his demo.