I noticed someone posting on TB about using Safety Blue minus the core for their friction hitch. Is this an accepted practice? Have some well known ropes been strength-tested without their cores? Thanks.

Many climbing lines rely on the core to keep the round shape. Supposedly most of their strength comes form the sheath. I would think someone tested this, otherwise how would they know? Personally I would never ever pull the core out and and only climb on the sheath.

The climber pulled the core out of 1/2" Safety Blue and is using the sheath as a closed split tail. Experienced climbers do all kinds of odd things modifying gear, they take the responsibility to do so based on their skill and knowledge of the materials.

To answer your question, it is not an "accepted practice".
-moss

Ron took the core out of some 8mm Bee-line and did a 6" tail tuck on each end. It broke tested at 6000lbs.

But moss is right, nobody I know is going to come right out and suggest that you do this.

Sheath - right? Hunabku.

Yes, Yes, I was not clear enough. We removed the core and only used the sheath.

I was amazed.