Well, guys, I've climbed on em all, and still do, as needed. On a scale of ten, for ease of use, speed, etc:
Tautline 2, gets way too tight, rolls out, sometimes runs unexpectedly
blake's 3 can run if not tight enuf, too tight
English prussic 3 can run
Schwabisch 7 sensitive to cordage type and size, current stuff is working GREAT! Breaks easily, rarely gets too tight.
distel 6
French prussic, with many variations, 9--- releases instantly, grabs instantly; in drop tests, is by far the best in energy absorption characteristics, spreads out stresses on the mainline, only limitration is inability to body thrust with it. Who cares, it is passe anyhow. Is sensitive to length of cord, needs to be watched to avoid bunching when climbing up. I just learned a cool new variation from dethroned ITCC champ Mark Chisholm, it worked great today.
Have only briefly tried the Lockjack, no interest the FP is so good.
for all knots, you must use a micropulley slack tender, for self advancing the knot, self belay, ground belay.
Today was great, as we got a log truck load in the air waiting for the crane next week-three 110-140 foot firs, now 75-100 foot sticks, about 3000 board feet, and 50 yards of chips. The famous Graeme McMahon from Australia wrecked one of them before his plane flight back home. then the whole crew got to watch his unreal video of removals of 220-280 foot eucs in unbelievable settings. The man is a god, he lowers 90 foot 3 ton branches and tops, climbs with an 046..!! He did like my Walkerized 335 for the puny fir today though!!!
I met the legends Sam Noonan, Ken Meyer, and Don Blair this week at ISA, wow, talk about stories, and history. These guys are the best!!! Among many other great folks, including Bernd Strasser, now 3 time ITCC champ.
Roger