middle rope marker?

The middle rope mark has faded and i want to reapply.  Thought i'd see if anyone has any extra or unused marker in the bay area before purchasing some.
Much appreciated. 

Pretty much any black felt pen will work.

Consider an old trick of threading some fine ribbon between the sheath weaves too. 

Sharpie for days

Here you go:

https://www.sharpie.com/markers/pro/tec?sku=SHTECBlackFine

i usually just mark mine with a knife. helps you find it in the dark too

Sharpie Laundry marker

I've used the Beal Rope Marker and it is nice and dark and lasts for ages but it's noticeable going through a belay device the same as the original mark. So if that annoys you, use something else.

frog pirate wrote: I've used the Beal Rope Marker and it is nice and dark and lasts for ages but it's noticeable going through a belay device the same as the original mark. So if that annoys you, use something else.

The Beal Rope Marker is what I have been using the last ~8 years of regular weekend warrior climbing .... same bottle.  Seems it is time to reapply about when it is time to wash the rope.

It does stiffen the rope, likely because the graphite fills the spaces between the sheath / rope fibers.  And that does weaken the rope a bit relative to large forces that sharply bend the rope at the middle mark.

But how many whippers happen each year onto the middle of the rope.  And a little reminder that the middle of the rope just went through the belay device can be a good thing. :)

Hey, ya’ll. From the text of the post, I gather that sc would accept any form of marking that you would be willing to provide for free. 

Sharpie.  

Anybody ever seen or considered threading some retroreflective thread between the sheath treads?  something like this stuff: https://www.coats.com/Products/Threads-and-Yarns/Signal/Signal  similar to the accessory cord that is used on tents.  Seems like it would be great for night visibility.  Outdoor gear lab suggests threading some floss through the sheath as a middle marker.

Downside may be that since the retroreflectors are little glass beads it would add an abrasive element to the rope, but can't imagine it is much worse than all the sand and chalk that gets in there over time.  Thoughts?

FrankPS wrote: Pretty much any black felt pen will work.

Not true bud, some markers can deteriorate your nylon.  Hope you never use permanent on you gear.

Kevin Mokracek wrote: Sharpie.  

Nope, see above article.  

mike sheridan wrote:

Nope, see above article.  

What article?  The BD says that they have no proof a sharpie would weaken a rope but of course they throw in the cover yer butt claim saying they don’t recommend it.   I have been using the Sharpie laundry marker for years and so far my ropes haven’t disintegrated.   Do what yer comfortable with. 

Manufacturers of Ordinary markers make no guarantee about damage to ropes. Their ingredients can change from lot to lot.

A partner once used some marker once. The sheath definitely was permanently shrunken down to a smaller diameter in the area of the marker.

The Beal rope marker lasts forever. Just once resist grabbing a marker out of your desk and order the stuff. That’s it.

... though do see the upstream caveat about rope weakening.

Again, the OP does not appear to be asking how to mark his rope, or which way of marking is the best. He just wants a free marker so he doesn’t have to pay for one himself. 

cassondra long wrote: Again, the OP does not appear to be asking how to mark his rope, or which way of marking is the best. He just wants a free marker so he doesn’t have to pay for one himself. 

Good luck with herding cats!