ADJUSTABLE FRICTION SAVER: How to Make One at LITTLE to NO COST to You for Arborists & Tree Climbers

In this episode, I’ll show you step by step how you can make your very own high quality, adjustable friction saver at a low to no cost to you! You’ll need a length of rope (you choose the length) that is rated for climbing, an approximately 45” long length of accessory or hitch cord, two anchor rings of different sizes and that’s it!
Simply tie a loop around the smaller ring using a double fisherman’s bend and then use it to tie a French prusik on the rope! Next, secure the larger ring at the end of the rope by using a termination knot of your choice; I suggest either an anchor hitch or a poacher’s knot! Tape any loose tail to the standing end of the rope to ensure it doesn’t get caught on anything at height. But not right up against the knot. You need to be able to examine the knot to check for any slipping.
Finally, tie a fixed loop knot, like a bowline with a Yosemite finish (as small as you can tie it) or have a sewn or spliced eye made. This allows an additional connection point for other applications, including but not limited to using it to connect to your throwline as means of taking the friction saver down.
There you go! You’ve made a high quality friction saver that will not only perform, but it will last for years!
If you made a friction saver, I’d love to see it! Post a picture in the comments (I think you can do that?)!

[@lancerudy9934]

Great video😊

[@Knot-orious]

Thanks so much! I'm pleased that you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting!

[@crispbacon696]

Hey bud I really love your video’s, watched everyone one them so far and some even a few times. They are huge help. I have the hardest time learning knots and man have you been a life saver. I am a lineman who dabbles in cutting trees and arborists things for friends and fun because I find the ability to use rope and certain techniques to climb trees very interesting. I am just curious as to your background. Where did you start, is this a hobbit, is this your job, how did you get so well versed in all of these things.I am not questioning your credentials just really curious about people’s life paths that lead them to be who they are today if that makes sense. Either way keep the videos rolling man I will be watching them like it is a new season of Game of Thrones lol

[@Knot-orious]

First thing first, thank you for supporting my channel and, based on what you’re telling me, you support the crap out of it. It makes me extremely happy to hear that you look forward to all of my videos/have watched them all, etc. Sadly, very few people comment, so all of my feedback thus far has come from a handful of enthusiastic subscribers like yourself! You, as well as anyone who watches one of my videos, can always feel welcome to comment or ask anything. As to your question about my experience, I am exclusively self-taught. My experience stems from roughly half of a decade (with a decent amount of time focused on other things) reading and watching everything I can possibly find about climbing. I honestly can’t recall what triggered my fascination with climbing, but I remember that I was drawn to arboriculture and its styles of climbing because a) I wanted to learn how to effectively climb a rope, not a rock wall and b) I instantly fell in love with the massively eclectic and amazing selection of ropes, gear, equipment, PPE and the harnesses are hand down the coolest. I also simply love being outdoors and there is something tangibly exciting about climbing a tree; the fastest growing living organism on the planet. Anyways, I basically went on to study techniques, slowly grow my gear collection, I became a progressively stronger climber (although, I’m currently out of shape and out of practice in that realm, but that is changing), and I eventually became so comfortable with my understanding of knots (hitches, especially) that I began trying to invent my own. I fully understand that the likelihood of one of my hitches becoming mainstream is statistically pretty low. However, I still thoroughly enjoy the pursuit of novel, quality hitches. What made me decide to make a KZbin channel was actually having surgery. I had very little I could do; I was effectively bed ridden. You might have noticed (or maybe not) that a lot of my gear is pretty clean. That’s because a lot of it has yet to be used very hard since I bought it in my downtime to help make videos and illustrate concepts and techniques. Trust and believe that, since I’m now once again able to move around, I will be climbing as often as I can and soon all of it will be covered in bark and dirt! Long answer, I know. I have a problem keeping things brief and, since I value your interest in me as a person (a serious compliment), I believe you deserve the highest quality of answer in return. Anyways, I currently have a list of concepts for new videos that is 6 items deep and they are high quality topics. I came up with them all last night. It was surprisingly effortless and there are a gazillion types of videos and video topics that I could pick; the sheer volume of options is staggering if you know how to look at it. So I expect I'll be around for awhile. My videos may slow down a bit once I start working again, but I'm doing like one a day lately, so "slow down" would be like 1-2 per week minimum. I need to teach myself how to edit videos and get some software. It's tough having to do everything in one take.

[@crispbacon696]

I welcome the long format answer to comment, you don’t have to worry about me not appreciating it at all. I suppose in a few months people will be bombarding you with comments and you won’t be able to keep up with everyone. which will probably be a gift and a curse at the same time. You will have 50,000 subscriber in a year I am willing to bet on it. You have such a in depth, no nonsense way of explaining knots and ropes and uses that I as a beginner am looking for. A lot of these other channels that I watch really don’t go in-depth in how there doing things just kind of vlogging with a tip or two dripped in there. in my opinion your filling a void in the arborists community that really will help everyone out from the brand new to the veterans. Every video is a gold mine of information.. I look forward to the day where my comment gets barrier under the pile of thousands of subscribers and your channel getting honorable mentions on other big name youtube channels

[@Knot-orious]

I really value everything you’re telling me! I certainly hope I will have that many subscribers in a year! That would be amazing! I had no idea that my style was so helpful, but yourself and others have shown me that I’m on the right path and that my methodology is sound. I know what you’re talking about as far as people making knot or climbing videos with a lot of distractions, but little actual information or the knot is tied unnaturally fast for anyone hoping to learn how to do so themselves. We’ll see how it goes. I have always been bothered by big channels that don’t take the time to interact with their subscribers in the comments section. It’s a bit selfish. Subscribers are the reason they got so big and were able to monetize, so you would think they would want to show gratitude or at least enthusiasm for responding to more than just the first comment they get that sounds interesting. There is a feature (I’m 97% sure of this) that allows me to become notified of comments coming from anyone I add to the list of “select individuals” whose words I’d like to keep track of/continue to interact with. I promise I’ll put you and all of my early subscribers who took the time to communicate with me consistently, offering critical early feedback and motivation, and I’ll place you on that list. I promise to reward your early support and input by doing my best to ensure that you don’t get lost in the growth; assuming I even grow as you predict! I’m optimistic, but your optimism outshines mine at the moment. But it has also made mine shine a little brighter! I just dropped a new half hour long tutorial on basal anchors for SRS/SRT. You’ll probably find it quite informative! It's processing into HD right now, so give it another half hour before you watch it or it'll be grainy.

[@hugheswho]

Helpful video. Thanks for using (some) metric dimensions. But I'm having a hard time believing that ring (3:10) is 70mm int diameter!

[@Knot-orious]

Crap, you were right. Here's a place that sells this ring. It says it's 2-3/4 inches DIAMETER, which is 70mm. It's made using 12mm bar stock, so that makes the internal diameter 58mm. My bad. Good eye. www.baileysonline.com/isc-aluminum-ring-2-3-4-diameter.html?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjws560BhCuARIsAHMqE0HTcmkTjpBm0QrT0kB_Q7Ni7U6XjHPGC6JTSXEvpvoPdQk1Ar6lwU4aAgO5EALw_wcB

[@Knot-orious]

According to this website, Tree Stuff, which is where I bought, the ID is 1.8" or 46mm. So who really knows which is correct. I just know I've been making this mistake for a long time now and I'm grateful for your correction. www.treestuff.com/isc-fully-marked-aluminum-ring/

[@StevenSiew2]

Er? What is a Friction Saver? Does it save on Friction? Is Friction very expensive?

[@Knot-orious]

It is a device that is wrapped around a three stem or over a limb. The rope is then run through the two rings (small ring first) and into an MRS (usually) configuration. This device can be installed from the ground using a throw weight and throwline or it can be installed by a climber while they are up at the desired TIP (tie in point). Because the rope isn't running over a limb, and instead running through two smooth metal rings below the limb, the rope is free to move as the climber ascends or descends and everythnig in between. In other words, rope against bark on a larger surface area like around a limb would provide would generate over 10x more friction compared to when using a friction saver. So yes, it does indeed save on friction. They can also be used as a cinching tie in point around a stem, serving an extra purpose for the climber and creating a more secure connection than with just using a flip line or lanyard. If you buy a friction saver online, one that is quality and adjustable, it would run anywhere from $75-250. To make one at home, one which can be just as effective as any bought online, you would need to spend anywhere from $50-100 depending on how nice you want it to be. Here is an article I found that might give you more information: www.bartlettman.com/blogs/news/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-friction-savers

[@stillwater62]

@@Knot-orious Your explanation is spot on, but wasted on this moron. He isn`t interested in learning anything, just showing his stupidity.