A Brief Primer on Hammock Suspension Part II : Cord

Grizz from HammockForums describes techniques for using cord to suspend hammocks : tie-offs using the buntline hitch (3:09), and marlinspike hitch (6:00). While the video describes the garda hitch also, Grizz DOES NOT recommend this any longer.


[** See the "boating knots" section of www.animatedknots.com for descriptions of a bowline, buntline hitch, and double sheetbend. **]




[** See http://www.tothewoods.net/HomemadeGearHHGarda.html
for more information on the Garda hitch**]




[** See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlinespike_hitch for more information on the Marlinspike hitch **]

Category:

Education

Tags:

• hammock
• suspension
• cord
• HammockForums
• garda hitch
• buntline hitch
• marlinspike

[ProfessorHammock]

tooldudetony---thanks for responding with your video about the Dutch buckle. Clever device. That said, I'm sticking with the Marlin Spike hitch. I don't lose toggles because I tie them to the strap, see, e.g., "Vertigo : The Hanging of a Bridge Hammock". I'll choose to carry my extra ounce on something that gives me more comfort or more functionality. Hang your own hang, as always.

[NKGMAN]

Excellant information. I have attatched cord (AMSTEEL) at each end of a cheap nylon hammock, but can I use it to tie off to the separate ring set up(at the tree)???? You had mentioned that you would no longer recommend that because it may "pinch" the cord Should I remove the Amsteel and replace it with sosmething else? Thanks again

[ProfessorHammock]

@NKGMAN my suggestion warning applies only to the garda hitch, which involves two rings. Tieing off Amsteel to a single ring, say by a "full turn with two half hitches" or a slippery half hitch with a second bight pulled through the first, is just fine, I use that all the time.

[mrgoodwrench76]

Wouldn't slapstraps be faster and easier? I'm sure the weight is comparable too. I like your technique but I have failed to see the point to it.

[ProfessorHammock]

@mrgoodwrench76 slapstraps are undoubtably (1) faster, (2) heavier, (3) prone to stretch in a way that Amsteel or other Dynema-based cord does not. On weight, from the eaglesnestoutfitter website "The Original Slap Strap has a net weight of 12 oz, while the Slap Strap Pro weighs in at 9oz. " A cord based system, complete with polyester tree straps, can come in under 4 oz easily. That and bulk is why I use cord. But hang your own hang, the slapstraps take the ease of use prize. cheers.

[lilchico4wg]

as someone who is intimidated with knots. Your video does not help with my ignorance. You are tying knots so fast and not really showing how they go. You are also using that 4 oz. cordage you talk about but your hooking it up to heavy duty straps. So why don't you count those thick straps? thank you

[ProfessorHammock]

@lilchico4wg Sorry this video doesn't meet your need. You might think of this then as a pointer of how certain knots are used in hammocking, and then do some additional looking for slower demonstrations. I don't learn knots from vids either, I need step by step pictures. google on "animated knots", it's is a great resource for that. Straps don' have to be heavy. The camo ones I'm showing here weigh about 1 oz for 6 ft. You can easily get by with 4' straps most of the time,.

[NKGMAN]

Thank you Griz for takiing the time to respond. I will definately add that option to my "others". Appreciate all you have posted on here. You have taught me alot.

[TadTheTinker]

@pr0fet , I use 7/64 Amsteel Blue from Redden Marine. Break strength of 3,000 lbs. (Yes 3 zeros.)

[TadTheTinker]

@pr0fet , I use 7/64 Amsteel Blue from Redden Marine. Break strength of 3,000 lbs. (Yes 3 zeros.) That should fix you up.

[pr0fet]

Hey Professor, I am attempting to use a hammock for camping for the first time and I was curious what kind of cord you suggest for a 250 pound guy.

[mrgoodwrench76]

@ProfessorHammock I never considered the weight factor. Thank you for pointing that out to me. I'm a pretty big guy and my pack is heavy compared to some but the weight (35lbs ish) dosn't seem to bother me.........yet. I'm sure as I get older my thoughts on that will change. Right now I'm more concerned with speed of setup and takedown. How would your setup compare to mine in that respect? Thank you for your time and information, Great videos!