Silver or soft reserv handle?

[skajdajver 0]

Well im going to order a new container (my first custom ordered) and im trying to figure out if i should order the soft reserv handle. Or stick with the included silver.

And as i am a freeflyer, should i order the freefly handle for my pilotshute?

Off all things to believe in - why not yourself

[Tonto 1]

I have a soft reserve handle on my "regular" rig, used mainly for AFF and infrequent fun jumps. I also have a freefly handle on my main pilot chute.

My "other" rig I use as an occasional back-to-back rig, but mainly for Birdman jumps. It has a regular metal D reserve handle and the standard pipe main deployment handle. I prefer it for it's low weight and the ability to feel it through a lot of wing.

t

It's the year of the Pig.

[D22369 0]

hmmmm, 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of another......

serious now, both have pro's and cons.

pro's.
-the silver handle allows you to get the bone structure of your hand (ie- the thumb) into the pull decreasing the chance of slipping off during a hard pull.
-soft handle is less likely to be scrubbed off.

CONS
-soft handle could be more trouble if you for some reason have a harder than normal reserve pull.
YES YES...I know....there is a mandated maximum pull force allowed.....but this is the real world and shit happens....

- silver handle, snag hazard....... toes, feet, hands....etc all can easily grab it....

**edit to add** BEEEEEEERRRRR ****

and---- added, I have seen a soft cutaway pillow scrubbed off once, so soft handles are not a complete cure-all.......
Roy

They say I suffer from insanity.... But I actually enjoy it.

[riggerrob 643]

25 years ago, a skydive went to s@#t.
I pulled a silver handle.
I lived.
Lesson learned.
I never trusted the soft reserve ripcord handles on the early tandem Vectors and I did not trust any soft ripcord handles until I saw a Vector 3 "soft" ripcord handle, which contains a large, lumpy piece of steel tubing wrapped in Cordura.
Finally, a "soft" handle I can grab with winter gloves and frozen fingers.
Take a close look, as not all "soft" ripcord handles are compatible with RSLs.

[Chrisky 2]

Use of the search function is highly recommended.

Freefly handle for pilot chute rocks.

The mind is like a parachute - it only works once it's open.
From the edge you just see more.
... Not every Swooper hooks & not every Hooker swoops ...

[bigbearfng 18]

Quote

Well im going to order a new container (my first custom ordered) and im trying to figure out if i should order the soft reserv handle. Or stick with the included silver.

And as i am a freeflyer, should i order the freefly handle for my pilotshute?

Have you had a mal yet? If so, what was the handle and what did you think of the grab and pull?
Personally, after having a reserve ride.....I'll stick with a metal D for reserve....

[Amazon 7]

I have had both.. When I got my new rig last year I had a pillow.. it had the hard metal tub insert so it was fairly easy to grab.. UNTIL I dislocated a finger on my left hand on a jammed into the door frame bad exit from a King Air. Within an hour it had swollen to the point that on my second jump that day I would have been hard pressed to grab it once my hand got cold at altitude.( I grounded myself as soon as I got on the ground again) I replaced the Soft pillow within a week with a small low profile d-ring ripcord for my reserve. When I had my new rig built this year I went for the same a small low profile D-Ring.
When ever my hand gets gold my ring finger does not like to bend.. but with the D-ring I only need to hook any fingers-thumb thru the handle and pull as I did in March of this year when I blew up my main on a jump in Mesquite Nevada... no problems pulling that small d-ring whatsoever

• Quote

[sundevil777 102]

I think the low profile handle you mention is the same as I discussed a while back in this thread, with pictures:

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=429237;search_string=profile;#429237

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[Amazon 7]

Nope mine is similar to Randys./.. but its smaller and does not stick out as far as the picture of his rig.

http://dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=27889;

http://dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=21334;

http://dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=22229;

[livendive 8]

You're forgetting an option, soft loops. I keep meaning to switch to them but haven't gotten around to it.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[sundevil777 102]

Why do you prefer the triangular shape?

I just like it to not stick so far out, it is still plenty - very easy to grab when I needed it.

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[Amazon 7]

I like the triangular cause it rides well under my breasts... out of the way but I can still see it when I look to use it.