It might be helpful for us to share experiences with various THROWLINE. For several years I have used SLICKLINE(3/16 yellow polypropylene). I have two of these attached to Ness shot pouch from New Tribe. When one got stuck in the hairy little branches in the top of the tree I left it thinking it would come down eventually. I am still waiting but am about ready to go after it.

Then my daughter was using my other one and got it stuck as well. I got it down through a bit of trickery but the lesson told me I needed another backup or two.

I used this opportunity to order both Blackline and Hotline from New Tribe. It is smaller and more flexible than Slickline but it has a couple of features which cause me to prefer Slickline.

The first is that it tends to have more drag on the branches. If I throw it across two branches while setting it there is enough friction that even a 16oz weight doesn't fall of its own accord. It is just not as slick as Slickline. This is in my Water Oak and is the Hotline. I have not tried the Blackline yet. I have also not tried the Hotline in my Live Oak yet. Possibly the bark of the two different trees will cause less drag in one over the other.

The second undesirable feature is that after just a few short throws I have noticed some fraying of the line. This makes me wonder how long it will last.

What experience and recommendations do others have?

Bill Wyatt

I used New Tribes throwline for years and liked it just fine. And then I found Slickline and haven't looked back. New Tribe's stuff served me fine, although I found that it tended to tangle fairly easily and was hard to untangle. Slickline in a throwmug is unbeatable as far as I'm concerned. I use my old blackline to inconspicuously hold rope settings.

Josh

I highly, highly, highly reccomend Zing-it.

http://www.samsonrope.com/home/newarborist/zingitdetails2.cfm?ProdNum=70

It's very light, and very slick. Strong, too. I use the 1.75mm size with an 8oz weight on it, though most people would reccomend the 10oz for that size line.

It is a bit more expensive that the other lines you can get, but so, so, so, so worth it.

For what it's worth, I have an eye spliced on my throwline. I just girth hitch the weight on to throw it!

love
nick

Thanks a bunch Nick. I will try it and post my comparisons with the other two here. I have located a local dealer. The price is a bit dear...$17 for 180 foot tube. How does this price compare with what you have found? He only had the 2.2mm in stock and is going to let me try that at the same price. Do you have any experience with the 2.2mm?

Thanks very much for your input. It is great that we can gain value from each others experience with various equipment.

Yes, if you call Sherrill Arborist Supplies at 800-525-8873 they have all sizes in both yellow and red. I've not used 2.2mm. It is a tad heavier and as such, needs a slightly heavier throw weight and won't go quite as high, but is a lot easier on your hands. If your used to slick line, you'll like the 2.2mm.

Anything around 20.00 is reasonable for Zing-It.

let us know how it goes!

love
nick

Nick,
Thanks a bunch for the Zing-It recommendation. I managed to find a spool of the 2.2mm size for evaluation. I LOVE THIS STUFF. It is smaller than both slickline and Kernmantle throwline. But it is stronger and slicker than either of the others.

It has less memory for kinks, twists, and knots.

It is well worth the extra cost. Well worth it. Thanks a bunch for the recommendation.