SLACKLINE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

SLACKLINING IS INHERENTLY DANGEROUS. Learn the proper method of use for all tools and accessories. NEVER TRUST YOUR LIFE TO ANY PRODUCT ON THIS WEBSITE. No product on this website is designed to be used for highline. MISUSE OF THE PRODUCTS SOLD ON THIS WEBSITE COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. Danger exists even with proper training and use. NEVER OVER TIGHTEN LINES OR OVER STRESS ANCHORS. OVER TIGHTENING CAN CAUSE SLACKLINE SYSTEM FAILURE. A slackline system is only as strong as its weakest link.

This very strong tree anchor is intended to wrap a tree at least four times, with each wrap going through either the loop end of a slackline or a heavy-duty sewn loop.

The sewn slacker-hitch has two opposing loops on one end  (double loop end) and one loop on the other. To tie the slacker-hitch around a tree, first pad the tree to protect it and the nylon. Locate the double loop end of the slacker-hitch line. Wrap the tree with the rest of the line once, threading through your slackline loop or heavy-duty sewn loop and pull the whole line through the very end loop of the double loop end.

Double Loop End

Pull this first wrap tight making sure that the line sits flat all the way around the tree. Now wrap the tree tightly in the opposite direction keeping the slacker-hitch line from twisting. Continue around the tree in this direction three times, threading the slacker-hitch line through the loop of what you are securing each and every wrap. Be careful not to bury the second loop of the double loop end. Tie off the end of the slacker-hitch line to this second loop with three half hitches maintaining as much tension as possible on all the wraps of the slacker-hitch line.

To Summarize:
The slacker-hitch line is wrapped around the tree once in one direction then three times in the opposite direction with every wrap going through the loop of what ever you are securing. Tie off  with three half hitches.

To Untie:
This slacker- hitch line can be safely untied under tension. Untie the half hitches and slowly start unwrapping the tree. At some point the tension in the system will start to pull on the line. Keep it under control and let the tension out.

The Mail Tribune of Medford, Oregon
reprinted the LA Times article on Jan. 8, 1999
in their “Life, out there” with a ridiculous head line.

It reminded me of the time I was on “Real TV”
wedged between a giraffe birth and a two headed snake.

This is a crate that I keep at the back of my shop. I have had all of these ratchets for more than a dozen years, long before I invented the Slack-Jack™. Sure I’ve tried these tools to tighten a slackline, but the big ones are way too heavy and the small one is way too wimpy.

I’m always amazed when I see people selling these tools (although slightly altered) as slackline tools. Not only do I think the big ones are too heavy, they are not always that easy to use and as soon as the nylon spools up on the ratchet drum you can not go any tighter (unless you do some sort of line grab and re-rig).

If you can’t afford a Slack-Jack™, using a simple Ellington method is light, cheap and easy. If you are just starting out and are not sure if you are going to stick with it, a beginner kit tightened with an Ellington is the way to go. People who do learn with a ratchet almost always change over to something else and abandon the ratchet. I believe the ratchet is actually detrimental to the learning process, as it does not give the proper feel of the line. Too much weight in one spot gives the line an awkwardness that blows, (“feedback”; the ratchet is swinging one way while you swing the other).

Some even claim that a ratchet is “light.” Compared to what?

Here is one of my ratchets with its hefty hook firmly on the table so it adds no extra weight (out of view). The scale says 2 pounds 5.8 ,ounces. That’s 37.8 oz., all in one spot. As that nylon spools up on the ratchet drum it will weigh even more. This picture has not been altered and reflects the weight according to this scale.

Here are the two components of the Slack-Jack™ on the same scale at 14.6 oz., just over one third of the weight of the ratchet. When the two components are farther apart, more nylon is introduced which does add to the weight, but not all in one spot.