Dunno where I got this, but I just found it on my computer so I thought I'd pass it on.

If you do this, make sure to soak for dental floss in battery acid for at least 24 hours prior to installation. It makes it totally bomber.

Dental floss mid-rope mark. Submitted By: Marc H on Oct 14, 2012

I recently sewed some dental floss through the middle of a rope and within a few days of usage the strands I left sticking out a few centimeters were completely worn down so that I could no longer see them, rendering them useless. I have since gone back to using a very red marker.

I have found the best middle marker. I use a masons string line which comes in hot pink, and against my blackish rope it really stands out. You can take the individual paired fibers apart easily and you end up with a thickness similar to dental floss. It's a nylon string so although it does fray, but it's very durable and since I did it 6 months ago I haven't replaced it. I find that most times I notice the marker not by sight but by feeling it in my hand. That's my 2 cents...

bi-color ropes- worth every penny.

The way I make my "Middle mark" is when I buy a new rope, I measure it to the middle, then cut it in half. That way it's always the same length on both sides.








EDITED:

"bi-color ropes- worth every penny."


Only if yer a SWINGER...

Bluewater's one of my favorite rope companies, they have helped us ASCA bolt folk out with a bunch of donations, make super durable ropes, and are a Southern company, bonus points where I'm concerned.

If you dink around on their site some they have some interesting stuff to read, including endorsing the Sharpie "Rub-A-Dub" laundry marker for touching up/adding middle marks.

Bought one online for two bucks, couldn't be happier. Definitely a different formula than regular sharpies, I have used a red for visibility recently but regular sharpies fade fairly quickly. The Rub-a-Dub marker goes on heavy and doesn't wash out. Pretty sweet for minimal expense and knowing for sure that it isn't acting like battery acid on your rope.

beal rope marker ...

when in doubt, simply find the middle from both ends...

i dont bother with duodess anymore ... nor do most people i know ... i prefer to spend < 100$ on a rope rather than 200$+ ... and climb more with the money saved ...

great illustration!


I like this way of marking the middle of my ropes because you can feel the mark while handling the rope, and also it's easier for me to see this kind of mark vs the point where those fancy ropes change pattern (gives me a headache).

Just mark it well with a sharpy... It's what the rope companies do. I've been doing it for many years and have had no problems. Got it straight from a Petzl tech rep as well.

Matt

lol ... im waiting till they go on special like last year to get a 50$ one ;)

the point simply being that most people dont need duodess for most of the thing they do ... unless you know the rope i dont trust them anyways =P

Beal Rope Marker (more like a viscous ink than a plain old marker)
Sharpie T.E.C. or Rub-A-Dub

You need a BiColor who's two patterns are VERY different. Some colors just don't work well and it's damn hard to see the middle.

I'm with Bearbreader. Cheaper single color ropes and Beal Rope marker are what I use at the moment. I'll splurge on a BiColor if the pattern is distinct.

Lately when I wasn't sure if my rope is long enough I just marked it with a simple node just before climbing :)
For those who don't need the middle mark so often.

Seriously, though I did enjoy the funny ones, dental floss is great because you can remove and move it if you have to cut one end of your rope. I have done it several times using waxed dental floss and using a large sewing needle to weave it in and out of the sheath around and around for a couple inches. It will get worn and frayed but the white continues to show against darker ropes and if you have to cut your rope you can just pull out the dental floss and re-mark the new middle.

SHARPEE and be done with it.

Run a cigarette lighter or propane torch over the middle area to singe the sheath... just a little. The off color sheath will allow you to find the middle by sight and the melted nylon weave will allow you to locate it by feel. You have to be very careful though or you might weaken the rope.

The sharp fiber whipping with floss or corrosive sharpie ink could be very dangerous and bi-patterns can make you nauseous.

Don't melt your rope sheath.... unless you are doing a really long rap with a hot belay device.