…..those sharp edges + rope = disaster. I think if someone is using a soft shackle its the same idea as using a rope to haul something up or down a cliff - one has to be sure there's no spots that will act like a knife under load.
It was emphasized in a High Angle Rescue class I took years ago that 90% of rope failure is due to inadequate edge protection. A line is more easily severed under load than at slack. (But you already knew that)
