When it comes to rope ascenders, two products come to mind: the Wild Country ropeman 1 and the Wild Country ropeman 2. Since they come from the same brand, they look the same and even carry the same name. However, taking a closer look at these two rope ascension tools will allow you to know that they are entirely different.
So, what is the difference between ropeman 1 vs 2? The difference between these tools comes mostly in their physical structure, such as the weight, teeth, and material used. There are also some differences when it comes to the rope compatibility and its performance during the climb. Learn more of these differences below:
| Features | Ropeman 1 | Ropeman 2 |
| Cam Teeth | Non- Aggressive | Provides Extra Grip |
| Rope Compatibility | 10 mm to 13 mm | 8 mm to 13 mm |
| Materials Used | Aluminum Alloy | Stainless Steel |
| Weight | Lighter | Heavier |
| Actual Performance | Good | Good |
Contents
Cam Teeth
These two rope ascenders may look identical, but checking at both of their cam teeth will let you see one of their differences. The teeth of the grabber piece of the Ropeman 1 are fairly uniform across and in the same direction. On the other hand, the teeth of the Ropeman 2 are tinier and have jagged-looking teeth.
You will also find some ridges that run horizontally in the Ropeman 1, allowing more traction, which is needed during the climb or hauling some rope line. Taking a closer look at the teeth makes me realize that the design is non-aggressive and can cause less damage to the climbing rope.
Meanwhile, checking the Ropeman 2’s teeth will reveal a different story. It has 14 rows of pointed and sharp teeth running throughout the cam. This feature offers a reliable grip that will be useful once you climb. The extra traction, however, may cause significant damage to the climbing rope after some time.
Climbing Rope Compatibility
Another difference between these two rope ascenders is the size of the climbing rope they are compatible with. The Ropeman 1 is rated for a 10 mm to 13 mm climbing rope, while the Ropeman 2 is rated for an 8 mm to 13 mm climbing rope.
What does it mean? These two rope ascension tools are compatible with up to 13 mm rope lines. However, with Ropeman 2’s more aggressive teeth, the compatibility of this tool comes down to 8 mm, which is different from Ropeman 1’s 10 mm compatibility.
The rope compatibility of these two rope ascending tools shows the difference where these tools can be used in various climbing activities. The aggressive style of the Ropeman 2 means it can be used ideally for climbing activities that use smaller ropes, such as mountaineering and big wall climbing.
Materials Used
When comparing Ropeman 1 vs Ropeman 2, the construction quality of these two rope ascending tools also differs and is unique from one another. If you look closely at the two rope ascenders from a distance, you will not notice any difference as they feel like they are being built with the same materials.
But with proper research, I found out that these two are entirely different from one another with the materials used in the construction. The Ropeman 1 uses aluminum alloy as the primary material of the construction. This material comprises the majority of its overall physical structure.
On the other hand, the Ropeman 2 uses stainless steel materials in its construction. You will see the difference in terms of what these materials bring to the tools from the materials being used. The aluminum alloy is known for its lightness, while stainless steel is known for its durability and toughness.
Weight
The materials used in these two rope ascenders also contribute to their difference in weight. The difference may be small, but it is still worth noting that one rope ascension tool is heavier than the other.
Since Ropeman 1 uses aluminum alloy for construction which is known for being light, it makes the weight of the Ropeman 1 lighter compared to Ropeman 2. The Ropeman 1 weighs only 2.2 ounces, which is lighter than the Ropeman 2’s weight of 3.3 ounces.
Ropeman 2’s heavier weight is because of the aluminum stainless steel, which is generally heavier but more durable. But since Ropeman 2 is compatible with smaller climbing ropes, you can still climb with a lighter climbing setup.
Actual Climbing Performance
There is no better way to check the differences between these two rope ascenders than to check their actual performance when you climb. Unfortunately, it is hard to find the difference when both work perfectly.
The company did an excellent job of providing the same compatible ropes for these tools. All of the suggested rope sizes work for both the two rope ascenders. The weight and size were precisely what it was when it was physically checked.
In terms of performance, both of these tools were easy to slide up, which is impressive. The rope diameter works well, as indicated by what these tools accommodate on the actual climb. A minor issue I see is the difficulty of slipping the carabiner through the devices, but this is a minor issue that can be managed easily.
Conclusion
Comparing Ropeman 1 vs 2 can be a challenge if you’re just starting since both look the same. But in this article, you found out that these two rope ascension tools differ. These differences will contribute to how you both use the tools in your climbing activities. These differences also make them different from when used in various climbing activities.