Low friction Thimbles & Softrigging
Modern materials such as Dyneema or carbon fibre are increasingly being used for fittings like thimbles, chainplates or shackles. Thanks to the properties of polyethene fibres, they are ideal for shipping and water sports: with a breaking load twice as high, a synthetic fibre rope weighs only one-seventh of a comparatively thick wire rope. The fibre's surface is also very smooth. Sheets and stretchers can slide through lightweight thimbles and loop rings without much friction. This makes blocks partially superfluous. The material is pretty easy to splice. …
… As a result, many traditional equipment parts such as rope shackles, lanyards or lashings are undergoing a renaissance in the field of soft rigging.