Blake's Hitch Variations?

I weigh around 150lbs. I have a length of Samson \"True White\" as my beginner rope (1/2\" 12-strand) and an open tail of \"Safety Blue\" (New England 1/2\" 16-strand) from NT. My 5-3 Blake's hitches seem to be turning out too tight. Is it me or the rope or what? Rather than switching to a completely different knot are there other Blake's configurations I should try? Maybe 5-2 or 4-3 or something? Thanks.

With a split-tail, I use the 4-2 as shown at http://www.animatedknots.com/blakes/index.php

chagahunter wrote:

With a split-tail, I use the 4-2 as shown at http://www.animatedknots.com/blakes/index.php

Well, now I see the 4-2 is also shown in the \"Tree Climber's Companion.\" I know the TCI DVD recommends a 5-3. I don't know how much difference there is. Actually after I loosened my 5-3 today it seemed fine, so maybe I just need to practice getting it tightened to the exact proper degree.

I use a blue streak split tail and almost always use the 4-2. The only time I've switched up to the 5-3 was when I got caught in the rain and wanted a little extra friction on the wet rope. I'm not sure how much it really helps, but it made me feel better.

Carl