Stiff Hogarthian Harness

[cool_hardware52]

I just triple checked the lacing and it is correct. There is only one "pinch" point, but it is still nearly impossible to open and close when wearing the rig.... I left a long tail and I have found that the only way to get the buckle open is to hold the tail against something solid while pulling my entire body backwards. There's no way I can get that thing open with one hand

OK, glad you checked. I just spot checked the buckles in inventory as I am at the shop today catching up on a few things. They were all quite stiff, which is typical.

It is possible to "fine tune" the closing force by filing or sanding down the teeth on the buckle. If you choose to do so go slow and check frequently. The buckle is essentially an "over center" device and small changes cam make a big difference in required force. If you don't have a file a piece of emory cloth (fabric backed sand paper) on a flat surface can be used.

Me? I'd soak the belt and "work" it by sliding it over a square edge, like the edge of a work bench to break in the webbing.

Keep in mind that there is a manufacturing tolerance with both the webbing and the buckles. It's better to start a bit to tight, which can be fixed, than too loose, which is not easily corrected.

Tobin

 

[wetrocksrock]

OK, glad you checked. I just spot checked the buckles in inventory as I am at the shop today catching up on a few things. They were all quite stiff, which is typical.

It is possible to "fine tune" the closing force by filing or sanding down the teeth on the buckle. If you choose to do so go slow and check frequently. The buckle is essentially an "over center" device and small changes cam make a big difference in required force. If you don't have a file a piece of emory cloth (fabric backed sand paper) on a flat surface can be used.

Me? I'd soak the belt and "work" it by sliding it over a square edge, like the edge of a work bench to break in the webbing.

Keep in mind that there is a manufacturing tolerance with both the webbing and the buckles. It's better to start a bit to tight, which can be fixed, than too loose, which is not easily corrected.

Tobin

I have been soaking it on and off for about 24 hours and I have been working with it in between. It seems to be loosening up slowly but surely, so I'll continue with that!

Thank you for your help! I will let you know if I can really get it working well in the next few days

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

I have been wondering this for a while and this thread seems to be a good spot to ask. I have a Halcyon rig and, also, the harness webbing is very "stiff" compared with, for example, the crotch strap webbing. It would seem that the softer webbing would be more comfortable, so why the stiff one on the harness proper? Is it a durability issue, or something else?

 

[Lorenzoid]

I have been wondering this for a while and this thread seems to be a good spot to ask. I have a Halcyon rig and, also, the harness webbing is very "stiff" compared with, for example, the crotch strap webbing. It would seem that the softer webbing would be more comfortable, so why the stiff one on the harness proper? Is it a durability issue, or something else?

Floppy harness webbing would be more difficult to get your arms through than stiffer webbing. Webbing that holds its shape just enough to make donning the rig easy without being so stiff as to be uncomfortable is optimal. The webbing that DSS uses seems to be even stiffer than Halcyon's.

 

[wetrocksrock]

The DSS webbing is really stiff, which isn't necessarily a bad thing since it will be more durable in the long run.

Tobin, I ended up filing the buckle teeth down which has helped tremendously! However, I am still working on "polishing" the teeth because they seem to be cutting into the waist strap when I open and close the buckle...not a lot, but still enough to where I notice it and to where I realize that it will get worse over time. Thank you so much for the advice though! And great product btw....I am so excited to dive with it this weekend and finally get to experience the love that everyone has toward DSS

 

[cool_hardware52]

A little emory paper, ~180 grit will "break" and sharp edges left by the file. So will coarse scotchbrite.

Tobin

 

[eelnoraa]

I have been wondering this for a while and this thread seems to be a good spot to ask. I have a Halcyon rig and, also, the harness webbing is very "stiff" compared with, for example, the crotch strap webbing. It would seem that the softer webbing would be more comfortable, so why the stiff one on the harness proper? Is it a durability issue, or something else?

Very soft webbing like the Halcyon crotch strap is good for crotch strap, but very bad for shoulder harness. My first harness was from DiveRite, as soft as H crotch strap. Once wet, it became so soft and sloppy, tri-glide won't stay in place so d-ring will move around with slight weight. Should strap will twist, making d-on very difficult. It is more discomfort because the weight don't spread across the webbing anymore. So avoid soft webbing is my lesson learned. As for H should webbing, I won't call it stiff at all. It is probably the perfect blend between flexibility and stiffness. DSS webbing is stiffer. Piranha webbing is even more stiff. I will prefer any of these over very soft DR webbing

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

Thanks Lorenzoid and Eelnoraa. That makes sense. Eelnoraa your practical experience was an eye-opener. Love this Board where people have the same questions as I do and actually try it out, and I can learn from their experience.

I was not going to change out my harness, I just wanted to know. Glad that H is the "softest" as I would not want any stiffer than what I have.