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I must buy another rope, and being rather niggardly, would like it to last as long as possible. Searching other posts on similar topics lead to discussions on physics, and handling, and all other possible minutae of cordage. In an effort to avoid duplicating that consequence let me state that my priorities are durability first, price second (and last). All other properties can be adapted to and don't concern me. Thanks very much.

PMI pit rope?

I've got PMI pit rope. It does okay, but I've always noticed that mine burrs more easily than what I expected. Maybe it's just my imagination, but my buddy's New England rope seems to hold up better to rub points than what mine does. Of course, you know to get static, right?

rlboyce wrote:Of course, you know to get static, right?

I do.
Am I likely to find a quality rope for less than the .69 per ft. currently asked for PMI at several sources?

Definitely PMI maxwear pit rope.

GroundquestMSA wrote:

rlboyce wrote:Of course, you know to get static, right?

I do.
Am I likely to find a quality rope for less than the .69 per ft. currently asked for PMI at several sources?

Not really. Youll find rope but you may have to cut it after a few trips due to where. There is a reason why everyone has so far recommended PMI Pit. You could check on PMI Max Wear Sport rope (the one with the red tracer running through it), it may be cheaper. It has a max wear sheath so its tough but not Pit Rope tough.

Amazingracer wrote:You could check on PMI Max Wear Sport rope (the one with the red tracer running through it), it may be cheaper. It has a max wear sheath so its tough but not Pit Rope tough.

Technically, Max Wear is just as tough as Pit Rope. They are exactly the same construction, with the exception of the red tracer in Max Wear. This has been discussed here, and is consistent with my recollection of a conversation with Steve at PMI.

PMI is on sale now at IMO. .69 ft. Great buy!

http://www.innermountainoutfitters.net/catalogentry.php?subcategoryid=24&page=1&brand%5B%5D=PMI&catalogentryid=790&brand=PMI

Karst Sports also has Pit Rope for $0.69 a foot, but they also have some pre-cut lengths (rope ends) which work out a little cheaper per foot. Might be worth checking out.

Thanks for the help everyone. I just bought some Pit Rope from Karst Sports. I had my eye on a 125' end for $73 but it was already sold. I also bought a short end of Petzl Vector 7/16" to use on some small pits. It has a polyester sheath which I'm interested in comparing. Does anyone have any experience with this rope? It is pretty cheap and, according to the description, amazing in every possible way.

I realize that many of us are not made of cash, but honestly, life safety equipment is not an area I skimp on. As far as durability goes, most people who know me know I am extremely hard on equipment and I still get several years of use out of rope. Properly taken care of there is no reason a rope cannot last the 10-15 years service life that is recommended. And that is with monthly (or more frequent) use.

I see you got the Pit Rope. It's pretty much the only rope I buy anymore and IMNSHO is among the best ropes out there for durability.

GroundquestMSA wrote:I also bought a short end of Petzl Vector 7/16" to use on some small pits. It has a polyester sheath which I'm interested in comparing. Does anyone have any experience with this rope? It is pretty cheap and, according to the description, amazing in every possible way.

We had a 200' length of Vector rope in the SU Outing Club back when I was going to school there. I found it to be overly bouncy on longer drops, and not nearly as durable as its diameter would lead you to expect. The contrast between sheath and core makes spotting damage very easy though. The handling for the diameter was very good, and I enjoyed tying knots in it. YMMV.

I have 1500' of 11mm Vector in service for our SAR team, ranging from 2 years old to 2 months old. I really like it for rescue use. We have teamed it up with the 8mm Petzl prusik cord.

It seems to hold up well, although my personal MaxWear Pit rope seems tougher for sure.

It is a good balance of stiff and knottable. I agree w/ LukeM, it feels a bit bouncy. The "Fusion" that they use to bond core and sheath seems to do an excellent job of preventing sheath slippage.

A colleague tells me that extensive industrial use in a hydroelectric facility (penstock inspection) where it was constantly exposed to silt and water caused it to get very cabley quickly... perhaps not a great attribute for caving! That said, I am not sure that he has ever seen what cavers would consider a "good rope," ie stiff and mud covered, to compare it to.

I'm impressed with how long this thread has dragged on, seeing as how it was answered correctly by the first reply.

Petzl Vector is neither more durable than PMI Pit Rope nor less expensive than PMI Pit Rope.
Why must we clutter every thread with 37 discordant opinions when some simple questions DO truly have simple answers?