Adjustable Rope Swing

  • Thread starter Thread starter Brock Mayo
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Brock Mayo

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Random question...

I had to step in and re-hang a small rope swing near my house that had broken at least 4 times this summer. It turns out the hardware store still doesn't have very good rope :) So... I've got a pretty solid rig, but the height of the handle has to be just right for different sized humans (mostly kids/adults). Any ideas for a quick adjust handle? My first thought was an adjustable style loopie or whoopie, but it seems like it would be hard to reach up and adjust it...
Tonight I just hung a kids handle from a prussik on the main rope above the adult handle. It worked fine, but I feel like there's a more elegant solution. The other issue is there are a bunch of savage teens that seem to destroy anything that doesn't instantly make sense to them. So if any idiot can look at the handle and figure it out, that would be a plus!
Another thought was a daisy chain/ultra sling that you clip a carabiner into the right pocket. Someone will likely steal the carabiner (for their key chain) and throw the handle in the river. I should mention this location is under a bridge, which really brings out the trolls :)
 
Tie a few knots at different heights. The kids don't need it made too easy. Adversity builds character.

Not to get too dark, but if you supply a ready made noose, some poor lost soul will use it.

Also, like Burnham warned, maybe just don't bother with it, some folks are oddly friendly with lawyers.
 
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  • #6
Good advice! Knots have always solved the adjustability issue. Follow up question... Best knot for grabbing onto a rope?
 
Dunno what the *best* would be, but I'd use one of the typical stopper knots and choose based on bulk given the rope diameter. Figure8, overhand, double overhand would be the ones I'd be looking at. A butterfly would be interesting, but you'd have to make damned sure there isn't enough loop to even get a finger in, and you know someone will manage to get their finger in, and have it pulled off.
 
Double overhand. That knot will hold its shape and be fairly comfy in the hand. Overhand lacks bulk for good grip, and the figure 8 changes shape.
 
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  • #10
anyone dabble in the ashley stopper knot? I kind of think a line of double overhands would look pretty clean, but I'll test out the figure 9 as well.
 
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