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 www.tothewoods....
for more information on the Garda hitch**]
[** See en.wikipedia.or... for more information on the Marlinspike hitch **]

[@Burps___]

Hi Grizz--I adore these videos. I must have watched them all 8-9 times, trying to grab every nuance. I have a current post in the Suspensions section of HF where I ask about the MSH--I could be way off base, but I thought I'd ask it of the more experienced members. Always striving for simplicity in suspensions. Thanks for superb educational videos. CK1

[@jalfrado]

@ProfessorHammock Phew! Per these videos and other hammockforum resources I set up a suspension using the garda hitch with cord. However, I happened to ask the right person the right question and ended up with 3.8 spiderline. Thanks for the information

[@mkn_retrogamer]

The one with two marlin spike hitches connected turned out to be just what I was looking for. Great for use with the Mat Ukhammocks EDC Hammock. Thanks a lot ProfessorHammock for the tip!

[@sraike]

Learning some new tricks here. Thanks!

[@CipherNameRaVeN]

I love the videos. Good quality educational videos. Thank you for listing the gear you used and places where to buy them at the end of the video. I did just that; took the info and purchased based of it. Thanks Grizz.

[@ProfessorHammock]

same rings can be used with webbing. It's not a garda hitch so much as it is bringing the webbing through the center of both rings, and then thread it going back the way you came through the two rings. Under tension (and properly pinched "other" side of the rings, this holds

[@PineMartyn]

Terrific information and really clear demonstrations and exposition. My thanks to you. I'm subbed. Cheers, - Martin (long time camper, newbie hanger)

[@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.

[@blamshiza]

Great video! Thanks for sharing

[@Hootyhoo-jq9vq]

Wow this video is informative. I can’t believe how long ago you made this, yet the info is still relative. How are you doing? I noticed your last video was 4 years ago. I gope you are well.

[@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.

[@TadTheTinker]

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

[@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,.

[@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.

[@ProfessorHammock]

@jalfrado Used on a hammock suspension it pinches the cord very hard. I've seen it break the core of 2.8mm spyderline, and have seen it squash flat the fibers of Amsteel. Perhaps it is fine with thicker cord, e.g., 3.8mm spyderline...but since there are so many other fine ways to fasten the end of a suspension, I just don't recommend risking a failure with the garda hitch.

[@xerocool2]

I was wondering what size, type, strength, and where you get the webbing you show in the beginning of this video. Thanks

[@xerocool2]

thats not the lightweight webbing is it? I was interested in the lightweight stuff you were talking about sorry I didn't make my question clear the first time. Thanks again

[@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.

[@dbw16d]

what test strength would u recommended for the rope around 600lbs

[@ProfessorHammock]

From strapworks (obvious URL from name), polyester, 1" wide, breaking strength of 3800, or so listed.

[@jalfrado]

Why don't you recommend the garda hitch anymore?

[@pattiowens7834]

I'm making hammock chairs and was wondering if I could just use only a length of amsteel through the casing of the hammock then tie it to the tree? Nothing else. It doesn't have to be fancy because it's just for sitting to take a break on a hike. If this can be done... how much cord would you suggest for each side, and what knot would you suggest to use to attach them to the trees? They would need to be easy to undo when you want to pack up.

[@ProfessorHammock]

sorry, not visualizing what you're describing. Is the hammock chair just a much smaller gathered end hammock, with attachments at the ends of the hammock just like the full sized version? But that's perhaps not really the point of the question. I wouldn't recommend tying directly to the tree for the same reason we don't tie directly to the tree in a sleeping hammock. Me, I'm old school, I'd use straps and a Marlin spike hitch as I've been doing since before this video was made in 2009. If I were going to ignore my own advise and tie directly to the tree I'd use a slippery bunt-line. The buntline hitch was originally used to attach a cord to a post, and what is a tree other than a post. But I'd take my own advice and be nice to the tree, using straps.

[@pattiowens7834]

Thank you. Yes, I'm referring to a small version of a gathered hammock. So, the reason for using straps then is for protecting the tree, not for a personal safety or ease of adjustment reason? (Just wondering)

[@ProfessorHammock]

Patti Owens yep, that's right. The fastest way to get rangers and park officials to dislike hammocking is visible impact on the tree. cheers

[@pattiowens7834]

I understand, I'll keep that in mind. Thank you for the information.