Amsteel Blue Alternative

**Litesmith** · 08-21-2014, 18:55

If an alternative to Amsteel Blue was available with similar breaking strength characteristics, would you prefer 8 strand for easier splicing or 12 strand for higher strength? Would you have any issues with using metric sizes like 1.5, 2, 2.5, or 3 mm? What color(s) would you prefer?

**Bushwhacker** · 08-21-2014, 19:20

Why are you asking? Do you have anything in mind?

I think most people here, myself included, would go for camo/stealth colours like brown, grey, or green.

**Litesmith** · 08-21-2014, 20:40

Originally Posted by Bushwhacker

Why are you asking? Do you have anything in mind?

I think most people here, myself included, would go for camo/stealth colours like brown, grey, or green.

I'm considering developing such a line and want to know the preferences of people who use hammocks.

**ntxkayakr** · 08-21-2014, 20:59

8 strand being easier to splice than 12 strand is a personal opinion.

Here is a alternative available throughout Europe and the Far East, 7/64" is approximately 2.8 mm.
Samson Rope's Amsteel adds a proprietary improvement to pure dyneema so this LIROS D-pro is NOT an exact replacement, obviously the diameter and number of strands are not exact either. Personally "more strands are more better" IMO, but then I am an engineer with a career of failure analysis, not someone easily frustrated with a fid and splicing. YMMV.

http://www.liros.com/en/products/pro...ros-d-pro.html

Edit: Australian "equivalent" (not in my personal opinion, but you be the judge).
Hi SPEC 3000, 12 Strand, UHMWPE Fiber with polyurethane coating.
I have seen stuff like this sold on the Internet snap or tear through without much stress, the 500kg breaking strength in my personal opinion is highly suspect, but YMMV. Unless the vendor is very reliable and it is definitely dyneema I personally will no suspend from it. Dyneema is a trademark, brand name technology sold to other companies but often copied, sometimes poorly. Buyer be ware. All this information and product is available for you to do your own testing on, feel free to do so if you live in a free society.

http://www.whittamropes.com.au/fullbrochure.pdf

**Bushwhacker** · 08-21-2014, 21:01

What do you want to make it out of? What features would you propose to have that would give it an advantage over the well established brands?

**Bushwhacker** · 08-21-2014, 21:03

Originally Posted by Cairn

Would you have any issues with using metric sizes like 1.5, 2, 2.5, or 3 mm?

Just give both the metric and imperial sizes - conversions are easy enough, aren't they?

**Bushwhacker** · 08-21-2014, 21:06

Originally Posted by ntxkayakr

Personally "more strands are more better" IMO, but then I am an engineer with a career of failure analysis, not someone easily frustrated with a fid and splicing. YMMV.

I'll agree with whatever the engineer says on this matter. Splicing is easy enough that it shouldn't matter, IMO.

**Litesmith** · 08-21-2014, 21:15

Originally Posted by Bushwhacker

What do you want to make it out of? What features would you propose to have that would give it an advantage over the well established brands?

Thanks for the feedback so far. What I had in mind was a Dyneema line, much like Amsteel Blue, but at a lower price. It sounds like splicing a 12 strand line is just as easy as splicing an 8 strand line, so 12 strand is certainly stronger and would work better for most applications. I think metric sizing is easier to understand the differences between the sizes, but I'd like other opinions. More input on preferred colors would be good.

**Bushwhacker** · 08-21-2014, 21:25

It would actually be really cool if you could do something like this:

400_SBITE.jpg

I just bought that stuff and it looks exactly like a snake. Every time I see it I have to do a double take to make sure it isn't.

I would definitely make new UCRs if this were a cheap enough option. And I'd probably end up making a new ridgeline.

You should start a poll or a new post with a catchier title.

**mudsocks** · 08-21-2014, 21:45

Originally Posted by Cairn

I think metric sizing is easier to understand the differences between the sizes, but I'd like other opinions. More input on preferred colors would be good.

I prefer metric but I think most people here in the US think in fractions. Color options? Mute/drab colors like natural browns, tans and greens would be nice. Can I ask how you plan to develop and produce a comparable Dyneema based Amsteel Blue line for less?