Here's what I know...

First there was the Fly. Then Samson came out with Velocity early this summer, then later in the summer Yale had Blaze. Velocity was an improvement on Fly in the sense that it was a basic double-braid construction and therefore much more easily spliced. Fly was a pain to splice. 2 other differences I noted were that Velocity was a hair thinner and lighter than Fly. Also, Vel. was coated with something to make it sticky. This concept is great involving your hands, but horrible in regards to friction hitches. Blaze is a double-braid as well, but without the coating. It's just good rope.

In another thread, it was mentioned that Fly runs through hitches faster. I guess it's all in which hitches you use. I started on half-inch climbing line (first NER BSB, then Buccanneer for a year or two, then I switched to Yale XTC for a couple years, then Fly for a little bit, and now Blaze). I get about the same performance with the 11mm as I did with the 1/2". I tie way different friction hitches, however.

150' of Blaze weighs less and takes up less space in my bag than 120' of XTC. Prices are more or less the same.

Now regarding the 11mm lines and hardware, yes it might run faster through belay plates, 8's, and other descending devices. It's thinner. So I agree whole-heartedly with that aspect of it.

What else is there to these 11mm lines? What are the drawbacks? Why WOULDN'T someone want to buy one?

love
nick, whose trying to keep the river of information flowing

Hey folks,

Sorry for being a reader and not much of a writer. I write a lot for a living and at times you just don't want to.

Regarding the Fly:

Yes, it takes a Blakes very well. I've been climbing on it for a while now and have had no problems at all. I find that it is easier to handle than regular half inch.

With half inch I used to have problems getting blisters on my left hand ring and middle fingers. Don't ask me why just those two. Nothing a well placed band-aid before a climb wouldn't prevent but aggravating nonetheless. With the Fly, nothing. Obviously it fits my hand different than half inch. Who's to say that applies to everyone else? I could just be a freak.

So, yes, it does apply to DRT as well as SRT. I use it for everything with no problems. It took a bit getting used to on SRT since the smaller diameter allowed the ascender to slide down a bit more before biting the rope. I had to get into the habit of angling the ascender correctly and making sure it grabs before releasing it and putting my weight on it. Not dangerous, just disconcerting at the beginning. Half inch fills more of the rope space in the ascender so it wasn't much of a problem. After a few climbs it became natural and I don't even think about it now.

I don't know if they designed the Fly to move nicely through equipment or if it's just because of its size but it sure does move through a Petzl Stop and a rack nice, fast and smoooooth.

I love it.

Be well.

Rod

Nick, Rod,

That was precisely the type of info I was looking for in the “So Who Is Left” thread.

Thanks for the input.
Electrojake

I've had the problems with the blisters on the two fingers too. I think it is from climbing with my wedding band on though.

I dont like climbing on ropes smaller than my XTC, my hands get real crampy with sportline even. I think I don't make a good grip on the line so I need the extra girth.

That said, I am going to start packing the sportline for the long hikes. My knees are aging faster than the rest of me, and I feel any extra weight. Anybody have some fly sitting around unused for comparison...

Icabod, I have a short 60 footer that I use for pruning tiny trees. I could ship it over for you to use for a while. I don't know if you'll get the full affect of the 11mm lines when only in a 30' tree, but the offer's on the table.

I also have a 150' Blaze, but I'm not letting that one go!

love
nick

Everyone loves FLY.

I picked up 120’ of the stuff last summer…
Looked so pretty I was almost afraid to get it dirty.
It ran so fast on DRT I was almost afraid to use it.

Reading all these postings about how wonderful Fly is makes me feel that I just didn’t give it enough of a chance last summer when I sampled it on a DRT climb. (Although I must say, it was sweet on SRT).

This stinking snow season! I want to climb… Not shovel
(Cabin fever no doubt)