Lower weight of the equipment is an advantage in competition in climbing. This is one of the reasons manufacturers of mountaineering ropes are trying to produce thinner and lighter ropes every year. The aim of this study was to develop a proposal for a new, practice relevant sharp edge test standard, which gives manufacturers an easy to use tool for the development of lighter but nevertheless safer products. On the basis of the model experiment a proposal for a new sharp edge resistance test standard could bee formulated and used for a comparison between a variety of ropes that are available on the market.