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bliew
Dec 14, 2003, 1:14 AM
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Has anyone used any of the commercially available rope-marking pens out there? I was thinking of buying one to mark the midpoint, but have heard mixed opinions about using them. Any comments appreciated.
Brandon
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climbinganne
Dec 14, 2003, 1:21 AM
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elvis??? porn???
http://www.uiaa.ch/commissions/newsitem.asp?idnews=191
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coldclimb
Dec 14, 2003, 8:10 AM
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This topic is a prime subject for using the search option on the forums. ;) If you do a search, you will probably find that some people use markers, some people use tape, some people don't bother marking, etc...
I personally like whipping the rope with some tough thread. Lasts for a while, is easy, and doesn't do anything to the rope. You can find pictures showing how on the net. This is the method I use:
http://www.scouts.asn.au/knots/whippin1.gifhttp://www.scouts.asn.au/knots/whippin2.gifhttp://www.scouts.asn.au/knots/whippin3.gif
Heard from at least one user on the site that using a needle and actually weaving the thread through the fibers of the sheath when you whip it works even better. Haven't tried it myself, but it probably does.
Good luck. :)
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njbourne
Dec 14, 2003, 7:32 PM
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I use the Blue Water rope pen. It works well. It works the best on light colored ropes. It can be hard to see on darker ropes and when the rope gets dirty. I just washed my black/purple/red/white 10.5 mil rope after a trip to the valley. You can barely see were the rope was marked and it needs to be marked again.
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bliew
Dec 15, 2003, 7:40 AM
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Thanks for the info everyone. After reading the UIAA's notice on rope markers I feel even less comfortable about it. I was hoping for some quantitative test data but that's often wishful thinking. Guess I'll have to get out the ol' fly-tying vise and put a whip finish on that hackle :wink: .
Furthermore, I have heard about using a needle to thread the line carefully through the sheath so it doesn't slip. A midpoint marker in the wrong place is worse than having no marker at all...
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climber49er
Dec 15, 2003, 8:01 AM
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I've heard that using a utility knife and lightly scoring the outer sheath of the rope is a bad idea.
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geezergecko
Dec 15, 2003, 2:15 PM
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In reply to: Heard from at least one user on the site that using a needle and actually weaving the thread through the fibers of the sheath when you whip it works even better. Haven't tried it myself, but it probably does. |
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tedc
Dec 15, 2003, 4:58 PM
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I've stiched in dental floss as well. Works well butt may make your partner s*@t themselves as it looks very much like a core shot.
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djnibs
Dec 15, 2003, 6:54 PM
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If you mark your rope with floss or thread, does it affect your belaying? Does it get caught or come undone? Just curious.
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geezergecko
Dec 15, 2003, 7:27 PM
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In reply to: If you mark your rope with floss or thread, does it affect your belaying? Does it get caught or come undone? |
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afiveonbelay
Dec 18, 2003, 8:32 PM
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In reply to: After reading the UIAA's notice on rope markers I feel even less comfortable about it. I was hoping for some quantitative test data but that's often wishful thinking. ...
Once again, if in doubt call the manufacturer. I talked to Bluewater twice about this issue. A brand called "MARKS-A-LOT" was ok.
The negative about a marker is that it wears out.
Another negative is a small mark is often missed when belaying or hunting for the rappel middle in the gathering gloom.
I make additional marks about 20' from each end so that when your leader asks how much is left you can quickly inform him.
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piton
Dec 18, 2003, 8:45 PM
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you should also learn how to locate the middle of your rope witout any marks.
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diesel___smoke
Dec 20, 2003, 11:32 AM
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I use a sharpie and don't think about it much. Then again, I wash my rope with laundry detergent. I've never been concerned with doing either, though I would suspect it's not recommended.
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orangekyak
Dec 20, 2003, 3:48 PM
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In reply to: I did this with some dental floss on a dark colored rope. Worked great. Use mint flavour if you plan to hold that part of the rope in your teeth.
hehehe I'm going to do this. but if you're holding the middle of the rope with your teeth, maybe you're pulling a little too much rope out to clip. If you blow that clip you're off for a ride.
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moeman
Dec 20, 2003, 5:22 PM
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In reply to: I use a sharpie and don't think about it much. Then again, I wash my rope with laundry detergent. I've never been concerned with doing either, though I would suspect it's not recommended.
:shock: :shock: :shock:
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trapdoor
Dec 24, 2003, 4:53 AM
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I use about a 3/8" wide piece of metolius tape (sticky stuff!). It lasts longer than you might think.
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giza
Dec 24, 2003, 5:13 AM
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I use a Sharpie to mark the midpoint of my rope. The Sharpie's ink apparently has some acidic properties but I don't soak my rope in the stuff. I don't see how lightly marking the sheath can affect the integrity of the rope unless the sheath is drenched in ink allowing it to penetrate into the core. I regularly wash my rope and am aware of the UIAA Safety Commission's findings on rope marking by end-users; however, my rope is still in good condition and until I find a better method of marking the midpoint I'll stick to a marker pen. I really like the idea of a rope with a midpoint weave change...my next rope will likely be one of these.
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climb_to_safety
Dec 24, 2003, 2:49 PM
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i have my midpoint marked on one of my ropes with a sharpie. i suppose i won't do it again. although i am with giza, i can't see it making that much of a difference because it only really touches the sheath. i guess if you go crazy and drench the rope, there might be some more aggressive effects from the acids in the ink on the core. i would like to know what test methods were used in this study. drop tests over the marked areas; etc.? i think i am a little skeptical on the outcome of their study (ie. the rope being 50% weaker).
anybody mark there runners with a marker so you know which is yours?
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diesel___smoke
Dec 24, 2003, 5:23 PM
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I use finger nail polish for marking runners(to determine ownership), I wonder how bad that could be! I must speculate all the people expressing these concerns are gym or sport climbers.
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robmcc
Dec 24, 2003, 5:41 PM
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In reply to: I use finger nail polish for marking runners(to determine ownership), I wonder how bad that could be! I must speculate all the people expressing these concerns are gym or sport climbers.
I wouldn't share that speculation. Trad for me, and I find UIAA drop tests a compelling reason for concern. I have one rope that came marked...or two, I forget, and that's convenient, but if they don't come that way, they stay untouched. It isn't that hard to grab both ends and pull 'til you hit the middle.
Fewer reasons to doubt the integrity of my gear always makes me happy.
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diesel___smoke
Dec 25, 2003, 5:12 AM
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In reply to: In reply to: I use finger nail polish for marking runners(to determine ownership), I wonder how bad that could be! I must speculate all the people expressing these concerns are gym or sport climbers. I wouldn't share that speculation. Trad for me, and I find UIAA drop tests a compelling reason for concern. I have one rope that came marked...or two, I forget, and that's convenient, but if they don't come that way, they stay untouched. It isn't that hard to grab both ends and pull 'til you hit the middle...
Just the more reason I find Aid climbers so much more likable.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Jp
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maculated
Dec 25, 2003, 7:26 AM
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Registered: Dec 23, 2001
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Whip with floss, people. It lasts forever and doesn't affect belaying at all if you do it right. The marker thing . . . I don't know how much I would worry about a rope with marker applied, but better to avoid altogether, and the floss is still easier to locate on a dirty rope than black marker is.
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