Legendary Harrison Rocket Throwball

jim1nz

Its about time us Kiwis share one of the best trade secrets with the rest of the world and its called the "Harrison Rocket" throwball. This throwball has been pain painstakingly researched and developed by Andy and Ali Harrison and is hand made by Ali herself. 3 times New Zealand climbing champ Andy, seeking more from a throwball got together with some European climbers including Bernard Strauser, 4 time world climbing champion, collectively found out what was required to end up with the perfect throwball.

This is the end result...




A compact, strong and ergonomic throwball

Slender design decreases the chance of it getting stuck.

Notice web at the bottom of throwball which allows you to clip a biner between rope and ball so you dont have to untie the ball from the string. This also makes isolating branch crotches easy by jumping rope over stubs etc.

You can ask for any weight to the gram if you are that way inclined

These are actually sent around the world but not many actually know about the Rocket, hope i have opened your eyes and put you onto a winner!

Contact Andy for more info (kauriman)

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Eric Frei

Good idea having that webbing at the bottom.

So you get them made any weight you like hey.

How do they go in a big shot?

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jim1nz

Hey you dont need a bigshot with these throwballs! Na haha yea they are great in a bigshot.

Yep any weight but you better check with Andy if you want something over 16-18 oz.

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Eric Frei

I use a 20 oz so it comes down from a crappy cotton palm head! lol Cant get them anymore ...

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Tree Machine

I use the Harrison Rockets and absolutely love them. Definitely a cut above. The only place I can find them herre in the states is from Fresno Arborist Supply and they only come in 8 and 10 oz. I have both.

Something I wonder about. The fabric is like a cordura nylon or something. With other bags, that fabric allows lead dust from the lead shot to escape. Because of this I have written complaints to the manufacturers. The Harrison, however, as many times as it's pounded the earth (or pavement or concrete) has never leaked anything, has never discolored gray, has never shown ANY indication that there is lead shot in there, which brings me to the question: Is there lead shot in there, or is it something else? If not lead, what is it?

Then I'll share what the lead shot shot bag manufacturer (Weaver) told me is the reason why they use lead in their bags.

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Eric Frei

Well bugger it, now I gotta get some of these legendary throw bags ... I'm a sharp shooter on the ole throwline, nothing turns me on more than a good crotch shot.

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Drouin Tree Service

Im off to the fishing shop tommorow for some hand reels!!!!

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Drouin Tree Services | Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland | Landclearing Melbourne

Eric Frei

Are you going fishing or gonna start using a throwline Lopa?

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jim1nz

Il bring some over for you Ekka, it can me my trademark gift when im traveling around...

The secret is in the hand crafting...

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Tree Machine

I could dissect one, but I know someone knows the answer.

George Hayduke

The Rockets have their lead shot enclosed in a balloon to contain the lead dust. Lead toxicity isn't a big concern usually but the getting the powder and slime on your hands is not healthy.

The Rockets are the best bags made! The second best thing to come out of New Zealand after Sir Edmund Hillary

jim1nz

Absolutely George.

Hey im sure they dont use lead pellets anymore, gone to steel for the enviornmental and health issues.

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Tree Machine

Inquiring minds want to know.

Jim, could you make contact with them by e-mail, we wish to summon them forward so they can be part of their own thread. We have this specific question and I have heard rumor that it is stainless steel shot. That was a rather big turn-on, something I would pay extra for.

I say "Harrison Rocket People, come forth ye, and defend thine sackage. Speaketh of your wares. Hark, I say."

Tree Machine

I mean, how could they resist that?

jim1nz

Good idea will do now. Might take a day or too but he will pull through...

Kauriman are you there

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George Hayduke

It seems like the reason that the Rocket goes so well is from the aerodynamic shape. It's got a small profile and the bag seems to go straight where the typical bag seems to tumble a bit more. That tiny ring on top may have something to do with it's flight too. I know that it hangs up less than the other bags taht I have.

jim1nz

Plus its got the little strap at the bottom of the ball to pull ropes up too. Check the photos, Ekka and i will put a vid up, watch for it in a couple of weeks...

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George Hayduke

I;ve never figured out what the advantage of leaving the bag on the line is. It saves just a bit of time but that would be eaten up if/when the bag got caught on a bit of bark flake or stub.

Am I missin' sumpin?

jim1nz

Yea George, the reason for that is when the ball gets to the top of the tree/branch your pulling your rope over, you give it a sharp pull and it jumps the climbing line right down into the crotch which saves you trying to flick the rope on the ground.

You can do this sharp pull technique several times with the ball going back and forward over the branch if it is very far out form the crotch. You would know its near impossible to move the rope with a rope flick when its 20m+ up the tree.

Try it, works great!

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kauriman

Hi one and all. I the kauriman speaketh. Thanks for the compliments and endorsements of the throwbags.
In answer to a couple of the questions. Although I think you all have worked most of it out already.

The rockets are all handmade.

We do use lead shot as steel is not heavy enough and very expensive.

The shot is enclosed in a bladder to minimise lead dust leakage. This also increases the life of the bag.

Please send me a private message if you would like contact details. I don't want to be stepping over the line and directly promoting a product through this forum.

Thanks and Regards
kauriman

George Hayduke

TM...what is with you? You have some knowledge to share that sure doesn't seem to need a national security clearance to know and you hold back. It sure must feel good to know that you know something that 'we' don't. Back when I was in grade school we had plenty of names for people who played that game. Snot is the nicest one.

here let me guess what Weaver said:

Lead is the best econmic and density value compared to steel or other shot materials.
Steel can rust, [iron oxide is nasty to get onto your hands because it stains but we can get lead oxide on us and not worry].

Tree Machine

No, they flat out told me it was a matter of cost.

This was Weaver. He also let me know that their Arborist products were merely a fraction of their company sales (theirs is really the horse and farm industry).

He politely told me he would take my health concerns about lead to the next level, but said they probably wouldn't do anything about it.

I worry about the silliest of things, though.

Tree Machine

We heareth!

Kauriman, we invited you to step over the line. This thread IS about your product. If ever there was a time to shamelessly promote your stuff, this is it. It is why we summoned you forth.

So really, don't be shy.

Where in New Zealand are you located?

jim1nz

Haha yea i kind of already done that for you kauriman.


So what do you want to know about the throwballs then TM? He is not going to tell you how to make one a...

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Eric Frei

Why not? In fact I reckon you darn well should.

Do you have a website? That's the first step. Hard to promote on the internet when you are not on the internet.

Net buyers aren't geographically bound and understand postage on top of product cost.

However, if you are supplying retailers already they may get their nose out of joint if you sell direct so clear that hurdle first and sell all you want here.

What we'd like to see perhaps is a photo of a range of sizes/shapes/colours etc. I have been throwing bags for 10 years and not one of yours!

Also, Jim and I are going to make a video on throw bag techniques featuring your bags, they're the best right?

Why aren't the Aussie shops stocking your product?

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Sean Freeman

I'll second Ekka's questions, also I seem to go through bags with great rapidity, probably cause I'm a bit rough with them but I also feel the stitched seams dont hold as well as they should. Would really like to see some pics of your throwballs.

George Hayduke

I've used Rockets for years. My first one got jammed up in a tree and I had to cut the line and leave the Rocket...I mourned for weeks

I poked a hole in another one which was my fault. A handstitch and two thin layers of marine Goop and it is still going strong. Like Silky handsaws, you pay more the first time you buy a Rocket but you don't have to replace them very often. That's how value is determined, along with performance.

My wish was that the Rocket came in a heavier version. In the tall trees the 12oz bag isn't enough to pull down the throwline because of friction and the weight of the throwline. That forces me to use second-string bags.

Eric Frei

I need a 20oz to make sure they come down out of palms esp washy's.

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Tree Machine

I would like a 12 ounce, because I say what George says when using my 8 and 10 ounce. What'r ya using for line, George, and what diameter? Do I get that you have a 12oz Rocket?

Eric Frei

I got a couple of rockets today posted over ... real nice. An 18oz and 14oz.

I notice that there's little air space in the bag so less bunching up of the bag getting stuck in forks.

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