Big Jim's
Big Jim's Hitch Breaker
A small tending aid for climbers who want a friction hitch that releases cleanly.
Eye & Eye Prusiks
Representative photo. Check the retailer listing for the exact model, color and size.
Photo: coiling by michael pollak, CC BY 2.0
Slim, heat-resistant Beeline hitch cord with sewn eyes for smaller ropes.
The Yale 8mm Beeline eye-to-eye sewn prusik is a slim friction hitch cord with a sewn eye on each end. It combines the firm bite of an 8 mm cord with Beeline's heat-resistant construction, which makes it a common pick for climbers on smaller-diameter lines.
Thinner hitch cord grips harder, and heat resistance helps it survive the friction of fast descents. Sewn eyes are compact, so the hitch stays short and leaves room on the bridge for a micro pulley.
Tie your chosen friction hitch to suit your rope diameter, dress and set it before you weight it, and test it close to the ground. Small changes in cord, rope and hitch change how much grip you get, so check every new combination before you trust it aloft.
Carry a spare in your gear bag. Hitch cords wear out on their own schedule, and a glazed cord found at the base of the tree should not end the climbing day. Note when each cord goes into service so you learn how long cords last with your rope and your style of climbing.
Hitch cord is a wear item. Heat and abrasion glaze and fuzz the cover, and the sewn or spliced terminations need a close look every day. Retire the cord at the first sign of glazing, stiffness, cuts, core showing or damaged stitching. This is life-support gear. Use it only within the manufacturer's instructions and ANSI Z133 practice, inspect it before every climb, and retire it when in doubt.
Match the cord to your climbing line and compare options in our eye-and-eye prusiks range.
| Diameter | 8 mm |
|---|---|
| Terminations | Sewn eye on each end |
| Product line | Beeline |
| Brand | Yale Cordage |
Specs are from the manufacturer's published figures where available. Confirm against the product listing before you buy.
Sewn eyes are compact and consistent; spliced eyes are more flexible. Both are common, so choose the one that suits your hitch.
Smaller and slicker climbing lines are the usual match. Test it on your own rope near the ground first.