A.R.T. Blackbird Review

A.R.T. Blackbird Review

The Best Mechanical Hitch for Arborists?

Every few years, a new climbing device emerges that makes arborists stop mid-scroll, lean closer to the screen, and say:

“Alright… this might change things.”

That is exactly what happened when A.R.T. Blackbird first appeared online.

The buzz began in February 2024 when Advanced Ropeclimbing Technology (A.R.T.) teased early images of the device. Over the following months, anticipation exploded across the arborist community as more features were revealed leading up to the mainstream release.

Designed by the same innovative minds behind legendary arborist climbing devices like the SpiderJack 3 and Positioner 2, expectations for the Blackbird were incredibly high.

Fortunately, it does not disappoint.

In this review, we’ll break down what makes the Blackbird one of the most anticipated arborist climbing devices in recent years, where it excels, where it struggles, and who will benefit most from climbing on it.

A Quick Skim

After spending extensive time climbing and working with the Blackbird, I’m finally comfortable giving a full review of the device and discussing who it is truly designed for.

The Blackbird is ideal for:

• Full-time arborists who climb daily

• Climbers seeking efficiency, speed, and versatility

• Arborists frequently transitioning between SRS and MRS

• Long-duration canopy work

• Climbers who value quick canopy movement and smooth positioning

However, this is probably not the ideal device for beginners.

There is absolutely a learning curve present. Compared to traditional hitch-based systems, the Blackbird introduces more mechanical complexity and demands a solid understanding of work positioning and rope management.

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

The Need-to-Know Stuff

I’ll try to keep this section from getting too nerdy.

The A.R.T. Blackbird accepts a wide range of arborist climbing ropes from 11.2 mm to 13 mm that meet EN 1891standards.

Additional specifications include:

• Certified to EN12841 B-C

• Maximum service life of seven years after first use, assuming it continues to pass inspection

• Rated for two-person rescue scenarios when proper procedures are followed

• Compatible with both Moving Rope System (MRS) and Stationary Rope System (SRS)

• Replacement parts are available

• Ships with two cams:

• Cam A: 11.2–11.9 mm ropes

• Cam B: 11.9–13 mm ropes

The inclusion of interchangeable cams is one of the Blackbird’s strongest features because it allows the device to remain versatile across multiple rope diameters and rope constructions. 

Out-of-the-Box Impressions

It’s no secret that A.R.T. has a reputation for producing exceptionally engineered climbing equipment, and the Blackbird continues that tradition.

The moment you pull it from the box, it immediately feels premium.

This is not a lightweight device by any means. The Blackbird weighs approximately 609 g, placing it heavier than the ISC Reflex (567 g) and the SpiderJack 3 (511 g).

Its overall length is also comparable to the Notch Rope Runner Vertec, something the arborist community has discussed extensively online.

Personally, I’ve rarely encountered situations where device length became a serious issue. Proper positioning usually solves most concerns… though not always.

One thing that may initially intimidate climbers is the exploded schematic diagram of the Blackbird. There are a lot of moving parts. For climbers accustomed to simpler hitch systems, the internals can appear overwhelming at first glance.

Inside the box, make sure you locate:

• Cam B

• The included hex keys (if still supplied)

• The user manual

Trust me  this is not the kind of device you want to skip reading the manual for.

Performance

Stationary Rope System (SRS / SRT)

The engineers at A.R.T. came up with an incredibly clever way to add friction while climbing SRS on the Blackbird.

I call it: “The Hammer.”

Located at the top of the device, the hammer houses the jaw friction booster  essentially a rotating friction dial with dual friction intensity settings. During descent in SRS, the hammer engages similarly to a Rope Wrench-style friction management system.

This detail matters more than many climbers realize.

• When using Cam A, the friction booster should be set to high friction

• When using Cam B, it should be set to low friction

It sounds minor, but over time, proper adjustment dramatically improves climb quality and reduces unnecessary wear on the device.

Now… let’s talk about actual climbing performance.

Rope construction plays a major role in how the Blackbird behaves.

I found 32-strand climbing ropes paired exceptionally well with the device. That is not to say 24-strand ropes won’t work, they absolutely can but they tend to feel slightly more sensitive during descent.

Thankfully, there’s a workaround.

When descending on 24-strand ropes, placing your index finger closer to the body of the device creates a noticeably smoother release and better control.

The hammer attachment point is technically designed for the returning eye splice during MRS climbing, but it also works beautifully when applying S.C.A.M. climbing techniques.

Under load, the swivel does a great job orienting the system properly, though I will admit it feels somewhat stiff. Compared to the Petzl ZigZag Plus, the swivel could use refinement.

Now for the question everyone always asks:

“Does it flatten ropes?”

Personally, I’m on the lighter side, so I have not experienced excessive rope flattening during use.

During ascent, you may notice a slight amount of drag. For most working arborists, it is negligible. If you’re planning to use the Blackbird in a climbing competition or ascent demonstration, you’ll definitely notice the drag.

While discussing ascent performance, the chest tending point also feels slightly higher than comparable devices currently on the market.

Redirecting is huge in modern SRS climbing because it reduces swing potential and dramatically improves positioning efficiency. However, when dropping through redirects, either pull the full rope length through or ensure enough rope remains to avoid interfering with the release lever.

To clarify:
I am not saying the Blackbird behaves like the Rope Runner Vertec and risks sudden uncontrolled descent.

Rather, the rope can crowd the release lever enough to make descent control feel awkward.

Moving Rope System (MRS / DdRT)

Installing rope into the Blackbird takes a little practice, but once you understand the sequence, the process becomes fairly quick.

Personally, I found installing the rope from top to bottom works best:

1. Rotate the friction booster to the correct setting

2. Slide the rope down the channel

3. Apply pressure to pass through the cam

4. Ensure the rope routes behind the pulley

One important note:
When advancing your climbing line higher into the canopy, the rope can feed through the device surprisingly fast if there is sufficient rope weight beneath it. Tie a stopper knot whenever appropriate to prevent accidentally feeding the rope completely through the device.

Now for the interesting part:

The Blackbird may look like an SRS-focused device, but honestly… I think it performs even better in MRS.

In fact, I believe it outperforms the ISC Reflex in MRS applications.

Does it consume slack as aggressively as the SpiderJack 3? No.

But it still performs very well.

A tighter rope jacket complements the device in SRS configurations, though this becomes far less critical in MRS.

Unlike feathering the lever during SRT descent, the Blackbird responds much more naturally in MRS and never felt overly sensitive or “touchy.”

That said, I did encounter one minor annoyance.

During hip-thrust ascent techniques, the friction booster at the hammer can pivot forward slightly, partially obstructing the rope path and making slack tending somewhat irritating.

Thankfully, this is usually resolved by maintaining proper slack management which climbers should already be doing anyway.

If you’ve never climbed on an A.R.T. mechanical device before, one feature may initially feel unusual:

Unlike traditional attachment styles seen on hitch systems, the Petzl ZigZag, or the Reflex, the moving rope leg sits closer to the climber while the splice attachment routes behind it.

This initially appears strange visually, but in actual use, it becomes surprisingly intuitive and efficient.

Honestly, it may even be easier to tend during canopy movement.

Pros and Cons

Cons

• Slightly heavy overall

• Longer device profile

• Large number of moving parts may intimidate some climbers

• Sap and pitch can affect performance (though what device is immune?)

• Friction cam wear appeared sooner than expected

• Opening and closing the device takes practice

• Premium price point may be difficult to justify for some climbers

Pros

• Two-person rescue capable

• Excellent transition capability between SRS and MRS

• Replaceable wear components

• No additional friction required in SRS configurations

• Midline attachable

• Exceptionally smooth descent due to lever placement

• Easier servicing compared to some competing devices

• Outstanding versatility across climbing styles

Final Verdict

The A.R.T. Blackbird is not simply another mechanical climbing device entering an already crowded market.

It genuinely feels like the next evolutionary step in arborist climbing systems.

A.R.T. clearly designed the Blackbird for professional climbers, the type of arborists who fluidly move between SRS and MRS throughout the workday, demand midline attachability, expect refined mechanical performance, and are willing to invest in premium equipment that increases efficiency in the canopy.

This is not a beginner-friendly “plug-and-play” device.

It is a precision tool designed for arborists who understand rope systems, appreciate mechanical refinement, and want maximum versatility from a single climbing device.

At the end of the day, the Blackbird is more than another climbing device release.

It’s a glimpse into the future of arborist climbing technology.

Whether it becomes a permanent industry staple or remains a specialized high-performance tool, one thing is certain:

A.R.T. has once again pushed climbing innovation forward.