Dead Eye Ring Sling, 1/2 in

A dead eye ring sling in 1/2 in rope combines a spliced eye at one end and a ring at the other, so you can choke a stem and make a rigging point in seconds. It is a go-to piece for setting blocks and lowering lines where there is no good natural crotch.

How a dead-eye ring sling rigs

Wrap the sling around the stem, pass the dead eye through the ring, and cinch it down. The choke holds the sling in position on a vertical spar better than a basket, and the ring or eye becomes the anchor for a block, pulley or lowering line. Some crews also choke the piece with a ring sling and attach the lowering line to it.

The 1/2 in size is easy to carry and handle and suits small to medium wood. Check the length against the stems you work on. Browse more heavy-duty rigging slings for larger rope or longer slings.

Because the eye has no hardware, the sling is light and easy to throw over a limb or pass around a stem, and there is less metal to knock against the trunk when you set it.

Sizing and inspection

Rate the sling against the dynamic load of the pieces you are cutting, not just their static weight, and confirm the sling's rated strength with the seller. Match it to the rest of the system, including the block and rope.

Inspect the rope for cut strands, glazing and stiff spots, the splice for slippage, and the ring for grooves or cracks. Rig only within the rated strength of every component and follow ANSI Z133 and the manufacturer's instructions.