Erik, what what that first part. Are you saying you would or wouldn't? For me, most removals are from the bottom up, as most are conifers. Without a choked SRT line or AFC and DdRT or constantly recrotching, I would be unable to rest on my climbline...well that is to say, its easiest for me to choke the climbline as I go for the most part...and ultimately, I'm asking if you stand in your spurs all during the removal or rest on your rope periodically.
The F8 was a good step forward, but can't compare to the RW or HH.
Does weight matter, or are you just figuring that it does? Can't the wooden RW just be drilled to give more friction. The metal one can be adjusted.
I don't know what you weigh, Erik, but I'm about 195 without gear. Works fine for me, and I'm not flyweight, nor heavyweight.