Rope wrench over mechanical throw line was the switch for me

I used a mechanical throw line for three years until a tree in Portland required 5 retries to get a line set. My buddy let me borrow his rope wrench and the first throw landed perfect. Anyone else find the extra control worth the learning curve?

3 comments

3 Comments

eva_moore1d ago

More gear just means more stuff to lose in the canopy.

miasanchez23h ago

You ever actually drop a mechanical throw line five times in a row on a job that's already running late? That pretty much sold me on the rope wrench. It's not about having more gear, it's about having the right gear when the situation demands it. The control you get on the first throw saves time and energy, which matters when you're up against a tough tree or a tight schedule. I'd rather have that one extra piece in my bag than spend half an hour cussing at a line that won't cooperate. It's a tool, not a toy.

stella_scott9623h ago

Used to be in the "less gear is better" camp myself, thought the rope wrench was just another thing to fumble with. Then got stuck on a gnarly oak where my mechanical throw line kept bouncing off the crotch no matter what I did. Switched to a buddy's setup and that first throw stuck perfectly, completely changed my mind about carrying one more tool.