Dutch hook on a Continuous Ridgeline - Splice or Larkshead?

**DBurn** · 08-09-2018, 17:23

I spliced up a CRL for my tarp a few months back. I patterned it after the one Dutch sells but using the Reflect-It offered on his site.

However, instead of splicing in the hook, I just created a locked eye and larksheaded the hook on. The reason I did it that way was to make any changes easy if I decided I wanted something other than the Dutch hook at the end of the CRL. After a few hangs using it, I don't foresee ever switching out the Dutch hook (awesome little piece of hardware).

The question is: Will the larkshead cause me any problems down the road (wear, reduction in strength, etc.)? Would it be worthwhile to go back and splice in the hook now that I know I'll most likely stick with it?

Thanks!

**TominMN** · 08-09-2018, 19:12

Sure, the Larkshead is a bit weaker and the extra bends could wear a bit faster but I don't think it will be an issue on a CRL. If that turns out to be the part of the CRL that wears out first, change it then.

**MikekiM** · 08-10-2018, 05:35

Yes... either way.

I have a few CRL's and a few separate RL's all have Dutch Hooks... half have the hook spliced on and other half larkshead'd. Haven't had a problem with any. Truth told, I prefer the larks head. I always have at least one extra length of RL with locked eyes at each end... REALLY long dog bones if you will. Dutch Hook in one end is removable if I need/want to use that line for something else.

**DBurn** · 08-10-2018, 07:21

Originally Posted by MikekiM

Yes... either way.

I have a few CRL's and a few separate RL's all have Dutch Hooks... half have the hook spliced on and other half larkshead'd. Haven't had a problem with any. Truth told, I prefer the larks head. I always have at least one extra length of RL with locked eyes at each end... REALLY long dog bones if you will. Dutch Hook in one end is removable if I need/want to use that line for something else.

That’s an excellent point, Mike. I haven’t had to extend my CRL yet but the larkshead would allow me to do so and still move the hook out to the appropriate spot on a connected extension.

I’ll need to add a long dogbone to my list of splicing projects and keep that on hand. I’ll leave the hook larkshead’d on my CRL in case I do need that extra length. Thanks for pointing that out!

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**hutzelbein** · 08-10-2018, 08:52

The one big reason why I prefer to splice the Hook is that they get lost so dang fast. I don't even want to be tempted to take off the Dutch Hook in the field.

**Grumpy Squatch** · 08-10-2018, 09:06

Although having a "really long dogbone" could be handy, when I played with a CRL I never finished the end and just attached the hook with an anchor hitch (https://www.animatedknots.com/anchor/). Never showed any wear for the year and a half I used it, until I gave up on the CRL idea and went back to Stingerz because I got tired having to untangle my CRL every time I wanted to set up.

**DBurn** · 08-10-2018, 09:49

Originally Posted by hutzelbein

The one big reason why I prefer to splice the Hook is that they get lost so dang fast. I don't even want to be tempted to take off the Dutch Hook in the field.

Also a very valid point. Those hooks are wonderfully light-weight, strong, and well-thought-out in design but also quite tiny. I hope I never have the occasion to drop one into some brush or grass and need to find the tiny thing. That’s certainly a strong argument for permanently splicing the hook onto the CRL (or wherever else one might use a hook).

That being said, I usually put down a chunk of plastic or, more recently, Tyvek first thing when I decide on a hang spot so I can set my pack down on something clean. If I’m going to switch out a hook to add extension (or any other reason), I may be able to reduce the chance of losing the hardware by making any adjustments over the Tyvek. I don’t know if I have the discipline for that but after losing a hook or two, I just might get there

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**DBurn** · 08-10-2018, 09:55

Originally Posted by Grumpy Squatch

Although having a "really long dogbone" could be handy, when I played with a CRL I never finished the end and just attached the hook with an anchor hitch (https://www.animatedknots.com/anchor/). Never showed any wear for the year and a half I used it, until I gave up on the CRL idea and went back to Stingerz because I got tired having to untangle my CRL every time I wanted to set up.

Thanks for the input, Grumpy. I haven’t tried the split ridge-line as I have loved my CRL. I do use an HG mesh tarp sleeve which contains and keeps my tarp and CRL mostly mess-free. That makes a big difference in my experience to date. If I hadn’t found and picked up the tarp sleeve, I may not have stuck with the CRL as I could see it making quite a mess without a pretty good management system or practice.

At some point, I may make up a set of split lines to see if that becomes my new go-to.

Out of curiosity, what does you preferred Stinger setup look like?

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**Grumpy Squatch** · 08-10-2018, 18:22

Don't think I ever photographed it. Nothing special at all - just use a set of Dutch's with Reflect-It. I have several tarps so I like having one stake pouch with everything I might need and then I can grab any tarp and go. I don't even attach my tie-out line to either stakes or tarps. I carry line and stakes seperate. So I just clip Stingerz onto whatever rings my tarp has.

You might be able to see a tiny bit of it in this pic (my hammock on the left). It rained for 2 days so we set up with both our tarps in porch mode to give us somewhere to cook and stay dry.

IMG_20180520_092717.jpg

**MikekiM** · 08-10-2018, 18:54

So I should clarify... I don't think I have ever had to extend my CRL.. when I use it (rather than split RL's) I have 37'. No I know I have never had to extend it. In the NE, it's pretty rare to be in a situation where 37' can't span the trees. That CRL has the hook larksheaded on. Been using it like that for a few years.

On the other hand, I have quite often wanted to extend a guy line or a use a panel pull out. Most common would be going to porch mode to a third tree a distance away. That's where a long dog bone would be useful and why my split RLs are always in my suspension kit. Some have the hook spliced others not. All of my guy lines have a fixed eye in both ends. Easy enough to hook the Dutch Hook onto the eye.