Perhaps many of you are familiar with this research, but I only today discovered it and found the results informative. Of interest in this study was whether specific, common knots reduce the breaking strength of different types of ropes--some of which may be found on hammocks. Results show that knots do in fact reduce the strength of rope and often by a large percentage.
http://www.caves.org/section/vertica.../knotrope.html
I generally assume 40 - 50% reduction in strength. I'd rather not run the risk. Good find.
Trust nobody!
That's why we use something like amsteel with WAY more breaking strength than we ever need
Questions that I have yet to find any answer: 1. After untying a knot how much strength loss occurs to that section of line? 2. How many tying knot cycles can a given section of rope handle before it exhibits significant loss in strength?
Another reason to go overkill on load strength of suspension lines. Even if it holds up the first night, what about the 2nd, 3rd...etc.
Which brings up another question. How many nights of hanging before it's best to replace line? Specifically AmSteel Blue.
Noel V.
yeah good find. Will make me check out mine before I use them again.
although I have changed to webbing straps a while ago.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks