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~.

lOVER 200 TY]NG lE~CI~NIQU.ES. "~rITH .sTBP-'BY~S'rEP.E)"I:[Ol'OGRAPBIS

;'~ INCLu,DES KNOTS, BENDS.) HITCHE<;'J L(){lPS A~:"D\VIIlPPIN'GS


. 01S FOR.ALl. PUJtSuTr S FRIOM SAUJ NG AND FIS1IlN'G 10, CA_MPIN G .A N'D cu ~~,BIN (

THE ULTIMATE

ENCYCLOPEDIA

OF

KNOTS

& ROPEWORK

THE ULTIMATE

ENCYCLOPEDIA

OF

KNOTS
& ROPEWORK
GEOFFREY BUDWORTH

BARNES
II 0 0

&..NOBLE
~

THE OAL.L.eS·WA9CO COUN PUBLIC LIBRARY 722 Court St. The Dalles, OR 97058

This edition published by Same, & Noble. Inc


hv Jr~n~em..:-nl \\ ith :\nn~"..;. Puhli ... hin~ I irnil~~

tSBN

0·7(,117·-\1'>3,

A nne" Publ ishing Limited 1'1<)<). 2003 H~ rmc x Houxc xx. X<) B laekfria rs R oad London SE I XHA All righls reserved, No pan of this publ ication mJY be rcprcouced, stored in a retrieval system, or transrniued in any wily or by any means, electronic, me c hanical. photocopying. r-ecording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder.

P""i<'("1 £<111,,," Sarah Duff Designer: Michael /I.·lorq·


PhtJI'IJ~raf~ht."r·

RodnC'~

Editonai

Rt.'atlf... - Jt,l) \Vouo .

roductio» Cww·~JII(',., Julie Hadingharn

C\lITION

Do not use any of the knots, bends, hitches, etc, in thi.<book For a purpose thai involves foreseeab Ie risk of to!;.<, am age Ilr inj u r) with ou t the a pprop riate trai ni ng and d equipment. Cavers, climbers, rescue "'Ilrkers, wilderness or ocean-going adveruerers who wish to use a particular knot for thllse (or any other) activities and pursuits are strongly advised to seek the advice of qualified practitioners first. This book is intended only to)b. a safe and simple introduction 10 knot tying,

Contents
In trod ucri on Basic Knots, Bends Hitches Knots Bindings Loops Mats, Plaits, Rings, Slings & Things Bends & Hitches 6

28 46 80
116 150 174

208 252 254

Glossary Index Further Information

256

INTRODUCTION
«It is extraordinary how little the average individual knows about the art of making even the simplest knots."
(R.M.
ABRAHAM WINTn NIGHTS'ENHRTAlNMfNTS,

1932)

Knotting is an enjoyable pastime. Most people can learn to tie knots and soon acquire an impressive repertoire. Knot tying is as absorbing as reading a good book, and the end product
to

is as satisfactory as a completed crossword or jigsaw puzzle - but with many more practical applications. Everyone ought be over-dependent know a few knots; that is why the International Guild of Knot Tyers (IGKT), founded in 1982, is now a recognized educational charity. Nobody should upon safety pins and superglues, patent zips (zippers) and clips and other of knots are cheaper, fastenings, when a suitable length of cord and the Tight combination

consume less of the planet's scarce energy resources and often work better, There are several thousand individual knots and an almost infinite number of variations of some of them, In addition, new knots emerge every year from the fingers of innovative knot ryers to increase the existing numbers. Then there are the ornamental leather-braiding and whipmaking; elaborate braiding or plaiting techniques; traditional aspects: macrame; and other Chinese decorative knotting; Japanese kumihimo

British corn dollies; tassels, tatting and

crocheting. Magicians and escapologists practise knot and rope trickery. Mathematicians venture into three dimensions when they explore the abstruse topological field of knot theory, For periodic dabblers and serious devotees alike, knotting is a delightful pursuit, a lifelong obsession, and for a few fortunate individuals it is a wonderful way to make a living. This book cannot possibly cover everything outlined above, but the 200 or so carefully chosen knots it contains will gently challenge those new more experienced
KEY

to

knot tying and, it is hoped, even teach

hands a thing or two.


GROUPS

TO KNOT USER

Anglin81Fishing
BoatingfSailing CavingiClimbiDg Gco.cral
PuqlOSC

Outdoor Pursuits

History, Origins and Uses


Cave dwellers tied knots. The 19605 American knotting writer, Cyrus Lawrence Dar, believed that knots pre-dared (perhaps hy several millenia) the rime when humankind learned to use fire and cultivate the soil, rnvenred the wheel and harnessed the wind. Unfortunately, any t,ln!;ihk evidence for this has long .J!:," decom po-cd, hut the fi rsr knotted marc r 1.11" .1 re Ii ke I)" to 11.1,,-' been vmev, ,1nJ rawhid,' 'trl'p' There
(rom an I 111,1 I c',

from non-perishable arrefacrs Jug up h archaeologists that humans used knots and cordage more than 300,000 years ago. However, there is nothing to indicate what knots were employed before the earliest surviving specimens, less than 10,000 years old - fragments of nets, fishing lines, amulets and clotho - found 111 prehistoric g,lrhage dump> and with mumrrn fied hug hodie. So we know that Neolithic folk tied the overhand knot and ha It h lie h,

0\

l'

The artful
.... IHI {l'Y.

geometry

<of rope.

Lodlinc

and watcr-r cs i.....t coir tan tarred

,(ll1

travt

''''11,'

with darklv

and weatherproofed.
.... pun '~ilrn.

.;rnhhl,'

due'

.Jrorn;.ril,,' hemp

hav ..·... r ... and c,

.UH

Practical

and decur arive marlinespike

seamanship.

til':

orne human

hrsrorv
geometry esrabhshed,

recorded,

the artful

rope was already

mhe nred frum J prehistoric time beyond the rnernur ies of the
"Ide'!
KNOT

and wisest
LORE

scribes,

Knotted primitive recount

cords

were

used

111

cultures

to keep track

"f

dates, events rnnernoruc trading

and genealogl~"; memory (lIe, III prJyer and evolved lnc, rope, the th.u \\
t'r,.

folk lore and legend-«

or confession, and to record


transactions prob.rbly The inventories the .lhacm knotted .mcient
1.1[:1It'\,

Both the TO'.lry and lrorn cord,. derived

Peril made

"I

from

rropic.rl

.lg,lVt' pl.mt-,

O\d ;:\,,'
,J

fi,h,"~

floa tv .,,' protected

h,

nctwurk

of mcvhcv.

(square) runrung otherx snare and

knot, noose

clove

hitch

and

- and probably used them fish, shngs to

too. Thev arurnals, strangle

catch

103ds, perhaps
[0

JS surgical

the occasional offering. excellent who (similar an d that knot The of

enemy

or sacrificial were

Late Stone Swrrzerland rope makers


to a sheet

Age lake-dwellers and weavers, bend)

also used the mesh they would recognized secure

in thei r nets, reticules those glass once in many

have instantly the cord

and protect

floats - now found


waterside supported seJgoln!;

cafes - which fishing fleers.

the gill or drift

nets of

Indeed,

by

,rrOIl!; c'nol1gh inr rho: prrnunve 'U'pc'INon nrlJge, thev l"l1,truc:teJ over mountain chasms. The" .11", produced e xcellent rexnlev, and rherr bur eaucracv,
l.rckrng
J

knots, but we know that they applied rhe theorem


rnarhernanrran

hy making 12 equal knotted mrervals in a rope and then stretching it into a 3,4,5 triangle. hen the legendary Gordian knot of ancient Greece is a
• _-l
S{)\'E LEfT

of rhe Grc:ek

Pvthagoras
II( )

.')SO-'lOO

to solve practical

surveying and building problem,

written language, relied


A "pudding" fender.
• . 80\'E .._ RICHT

upun eiahorate coloured and knotted fri nges of cord k n uwn as qutpus (Quechua: to keep decimalized so administer quipu = knot) records and

an empire that

A boat fender
neady length enhanced with 3 cast-off

extended 4,827 km (3,000 miles) from north to south. In Hawaii, as recently as 1822, illirerare tax gatherers kept a comprehensive rally of what
W::IS

of
drive-

machinery

belt in the centre.

collected from each and every inhabiranr on the island, in cash or kind, by means of a cord over SOO metres (half a mile) long, to which were attached one representing knots of various colours and materials dollars, another and so on. hogs, others indicating dogs, pieces of sandalwood, Ancient Egyptian an tells us regrettably little about their

J

Ll:FT

eedle-hitched bonles or flasks.


with a rigger's
~3nV3'

tool

bucket and a
kirbag,
• oprOSITt

A sailor's

ornate

chen becket or handle,

Rh.

\\"h .... bruvhvs , k ..!~mrl·1t,·J" ....

In

pr~l~n''''~ arul

f.Hha "f
.\ hd,i-,

"I Ph r\·!:=.lJ .md - ", I he' i:=.,'n - II.:J hl~ then redund.inr t.rr m (.HI wirh lc. h.irne-,s rr.ices and presented It to rhe remple 01 Z~lI>. So mrrtc.ue .1> t he knot rh.ir 11 ubudv coul d un tit' I L .ind rhe oracle procl.urned that whoever did vo
Ill;!

rc' k

.1 Pt'.I',lnt

\du> r<"<, to

nl

desnned to become ernperur .111,.... 1.1. AIO::11lder the Grear $ rrrcd lu-, hand or (hi, knotted
\\.:1,

r uzz k hu r ,OOTl
It

losr pa nence

and,

J((orJlng ro one account, CorJIJIl knor"

st'H'rt'd

wrrh hrs sword. "To CUt the carne to mean

d"pu"mg

r rob lern ar
lr

01 In; mrracrable
,1

stroke.

"," LO RS A'" D CO \'\' 60 Y S


<'1110\

necessarv ro like boars to knot rving. lndeed bo.mng rhe-,e J,)\', ndd, tt'1I" opporru
i-,

IKJt

[() ne knots. It " equally \\'rung tn .",umt' thar knelt tying emerged

It

I, I

ir" m s.ulmg-sh: p crew-. rue I h.ir II 11 r I~hed \\' he'll Uti

rure" ork

l'l

,,1\ c·d .1h,urd

Ih,· rhuse who c·n~.lgnl trades .ind


rUr'UII" III

-qu.irv- rl!,:),!t'd 1\ arvhrps .md ruerch.inrrnen uf the 1xrh .md 1Yth cen ttl rres wh ~ 11 "J dor, h ,ld to (OP<' wirh mcr easinglv complex rigging. The s.ulors chest becker or handle shows how seam e n rhen turned III their leisure hours from practical to ornamental k network. Th i s e ra lasted. however, for barely 150 Yt'ar,. Cowboys tied tJn()" knots and or .uds eve t\ bit a, e labora re .1, rhose dOI1~ bv v.ulur men, Ashore,

p.rrncul.ir

.irchcr-, ..nd i

.mgler

b.isketrruker-.

oc IIrI

ouokol1ldt't,.budJ<:"r~ and bu rc hers . carters, cobb ler-, a nJ cowbovs, dock e r, (longshurrmenl, f;l lconers. iJ rmers, fi r ...men and ii sh ...rmcn, gu nners, rewe II~rs, millers. pedlars and poacher: •. rigger, {Ill (I reus JI1 d t hea tr e], shopkeepers, soldiers ,t...... plejacks, -reved ure'
.11l

d su rgt'(lI1s

• 1J:!guna,.md "·~:lI·~r,. There

OOllCTrON

nuT

TUM

Cargo- handling (longshoremen) disabled pirates,

hooks

for dockers for


• BELOW

- or prostheses

A monkey',

fisr door-stop.

was a rime when a handy whisk and maybe a chunky door-stop, both made from rope, could he found in many homes.
(brush) MYSTICS AND MEDICS

The practice of knotting is an ancient one. Knots were believed by some to possess supernatural properties and wizards and witches were known to have traded upon that fact. The legendary Greek epic poet Homer (traditionally a hlind minstrel living in the Srh century Be.) has Aeolus. king of the winds, gin' Odysseus a leather bag in which all of the wind, are tied up. The Greek philosopher Plato (c 42X-347 !It) detested the blacker avpecr-, oi knot magic JnJ
111

h" / .•./I(·s. that those wh« preyed upon the gullible hv means of knot sorcery should he put to death. As recently as 171!.l, the Bordeaux parliament someone in to be France sentenced In entire

burnt alive for bewitching family by means of magic knots. In his Natural History, the Roman advised scientist and historian bound with Pliny the Elder (AD 23-79) that wounds a Hercules knot (a reef or square knot) healed more quickly. Indeed, those who learn first aid today still use this knot for slings and bandages but are unaware of the reason why. Preserved in the medical collections of the 4th century AD Greek physician Oreibasius of 12

l,nf1qul,,'

hardwood

fid ........ ..:d 1,1 help "


1

••

H I {)\\

n... k c

In

!h~ "(Irkin!! cnd ..

or

..l

knor,

Cb~si, boar fenders

Pngamum are 1:-: knor-, ClrlglnJII; described

J piece of srnng,

~)11~

knot for
(0

LASSl(

""on
o:'fl{o:'dor d "cUI anI

cenrurre-,
J<,

curher

r.1·

three Heraklas

e.rch warr • .md then


'trlng: thereafter,

discard

rhe

\X" ho
these

111\

rhe rirsr person

(1;1>,lc

k n or>:

'urg("on~ k nors. These ore rq:r<:t!Jbll" not rllusrr ated, hut hJI'<: been interpreted to include rhe overhand knot. red (square) k n 01. the clove hitch, a noose, J fi,herm.m\ loop knot. the jug. I;)f or bottle ~;llng, Tom Fool's knot, a (Jt\ cradle, rhe true II.l\"er\ knot, Jnd - qurre possi bl y - the co nsrrictor knot. An eJrly Scandmav.an form of bm h contr o I. w hen J co uple decided rhe; hOld J large enough f.l mill", "3, to nJ m e rhe last-born
b,,\ Knur (rneanmg "knor"). some place-, Ir ".1, thoughr
';1.1

to contact rhe stnng acqurre rhe warts.

would
-ponra ncousl Yo.In ,e polT J re re~lon..

One of the eurliesr heraldic knots \\.1, the carrrck bend used by the SHOll leader Hereward the WJke. who In 1071 _\1\ revolted againsr Willi;Jm (he Conqueror. In heraldrv, still called the Wo.ke knor. ROITI;Jn(lc 01l1.l,lOn5 to the Hue lovers knot connnuallv crop up In English lirerarure after I ~95 _~ A lrhough there IS no cl ue J5 D. ttl whether such J knot exrsred, several conternporury knots, with
[WO

of rhe world.

whereve r

,OIn ~

h, It_1\'
1(_

picked up .) flexible brt 01 material and Idl;' toyed wrrh


have bee n spread 0; fore rgn
traders and ()(CUP)-Ing
J

Then ugam, orhe r, are Ii ke lv ro arrru es.


IUf';,

I m;.ll;i ne tracm g

pa rncu lar knor

- sav the drsnncuve and back through

[ar or

In rhar J

interlocking

identical

P'Ub,

to hand the cenrunes ro irs orrgmaror (an rmpossible notion. of course). Hrsrorv, as rh e acttvtrj o f peop it' lI"a, concerned, might have 10 he

bonk sling - frurn hand

re

for

W.l rrs

"-.1'; ro tl t knots In

JTe

referred

ro

bv rhar

name.

revised

and rewrrrten.

I NTR,OO

uc

fJUI'II

Materials
Rope has been made by man since the Stone Age, utilising the materials that were available. European hunter-gatherers, 10,000 years ago, grew only one crop - flax - and that was for rope, not food; the ancient Egyptians and Persians made rope from papyrus and flax. Even a captive orangoutan is reported to have made a kind of rope from its bedding material and then swung from it. It is no surprise that man has gone ro such lengths to develop and enhance rope-making materials. Rope enabled humankind caves and
to probe the deepest
[0

NATURAL

ROPE

A lefthanded (or $·Iaid) cable consists of three righthanded (Z-Iaid) hawser s. Each of Ihe~e ropes has three lefthanded (coumerclockwise) strands made from numerous righ tha nded (cl cckwise) yams. spun from vegetable fibres.

horse and camel (even human) hair, date palms, reeds, esparto grass, wool and silk. Because of its origins in nature, such cordage is also referred to as natural fibre. These fibres were spun clockwise (or righthanded) to create long yarns. Several of these yarns were next twisted up anticlockwise (counterclockwise} into strands. Finally, three strands were laid up clockwise or righrhanded typical rope.
SYNTHETIC (MANMADE) ROPE

The incurably romantic - who wish that square-rigged sailing ships were still commonplace regret the demise of these vegetable fibre ropes, with their evocative smells and every shade of gold and brown; but, with the emergence of synthetic (manmade) cordage, the shortcomings of natural fibre They weak, even ropes became intolerable. were comparatively diameters.

seek fuel and Ores in

underground mines; to migrate over rugged terrain with pack animals; to capture, harness and ride other beasts, to sail and cross oceans in search of treasu re, trade, conquest and colonization. Rope concentrated the efforts of the labour force that built the great Egyptian pyramids and created the blocks and tackles with which medieval European stone masons erected their Gothic cathedrals and castles.
CO RDAGE

which created a

when scaled up to enormous Unable to withstand

VEG ET ABLE FIBRE

As we have seen, until this century, rope was made from the shredded, combed and graded fibres of plant stems such as flax and jute, or from the leaves of sisal and abaca (hemp). It was made from fibres attached to seeds (cotton), and from other vegetable materials as diverse as fibrous coconut shells (coir),
A 14 mm ('ill in) diameler, soft matt polyester, 16·plait sheath encleses a biiwser-laid core of several thousaad high-tenuity polyener 61:une.,ts.

..

I'q.

n\\

il.I':Ul,,·

\ cgctabje natural

lib ee knoned

cordage

in its

Nateral

fibre rope

vary in colour

and

element,

rna}' he blond"

or brunene.

rnuc h a brasi on, vegetable Ii bre cordage was also prev to mildew, rot, insects and verrn in, It swell ed when wet (so knots became Impossible to untie) and froze in ICYconditions with irreparable weakening as brittle fibres broke. Such ropes were also rough on the hands, Obtainable only from special ized sou rces, and at a premium price, the use of natural fibre cordage is now very limited, - except in situations (such as filming a costume drama, rigging a classic wooden boat. and designing the interior decor and window dressing of nautical pubs, dubs and restaurants) where the appearance of an earlier period must be evoked. Some thoughtful

souls, however, concerned h~' what rhev perceive to he a profligate use of the earth's finite resources. prophesy an eventual return to natural fibre cordage. the raw materials of which can be harvested from renewable growing crops, without destructive ecological footprints. Sisal rope is sri II sold for general purposes. Children shin up best-quality soft hemp ropes in school gyms. Coir is used for boat fenders. And for weather-resistant serving and seizing of wire and rope rigging by professional riggers, balls of tarred hemp spun yarn are still sold in severa I sizes. It used to be that a rope could only be as long as the ropewalk (open field or long shed) where it

\\'a~ made - alrhough, uf co TWO or more could then he spliced together - but compact modern machmery has overcome this and, with extruded svnrhenc filaments, rope of practically any length can be made.
SYNTHETIC CORDAGE (MANMADE)

Discovered and developed by research chemists in the 193 Os, the basic ele mems for synthetic cordage are: very fine continuous cI usrers of multifilament>, less than 50 microns/ in across and of uniform diameter and circular cross-section; coarser monofilarnents, individually more than 50 microns/'el"" in in diameter; discontinuous staple fibres (from

• l.EfT

Sisal fibre, are ro ugh and hai ry, bu 1 soh

10

the touch.
+ fH:.. L 0""'"

Cord age lengths 3 re no 10 nger Iimil cd by thr extent of 'he ropewalk. either field or long shed, where it was made.

Terylene and Dacron); polypropylene, which is best for mundane domestic use; polyethylene (or Polythene}, often sold as balls of twine; and a few so-called "miracle fibres" (such as Kevlar, Dyneema or Spectra) representing the latest and more expensive cutting edge of ropemaking technology. There are rwo grades of nylon- Nylon 66, discovered in the Du Pont laboratories, was the first 2
ern
In to

1 m, 2 yd

In

length}
Of

plagued

bv the: ills that afflict

manmade

fibre of merit available

rn.ide h)' cutnng

multifilament, mro discrete

naru fa I fi bre ropes, t hey are more susceptible to heat generated hy friction - softening, melting and even parting The materials
most

monofilarnents

to the cordage industry, and Nylon 6, subsequently developed

lengths: and flat, narrow. ribbonlike string> produced from extruded

by I.G. Farbenmdusrrie.

Terylene

in extreme cases. common manmade (nylon),

split or fibrillated
111

film.

was a British development from investigations at the Calico Printers Association, the sole rights were then taken up by Imperial Chemical Industries.

The brighrly coloured


rwrn e ofre n found

halls of

are: polyamide

hard wa re shops and stores a re usually spl it him products, sold at garden as are the larger reels) centres for halls and cops (cylindrical

the strongest man-made cordage: polyesrer (best known trade names

horticulru re use or as bali ng twine. for agricultural machinery. All of these raw materials co rdage that is size-for-size stronger and lighter than its make

vegetable fibre equivalent. A three-strand nylon rope is more than twice as strong one, yet it weighs as a manila half as much

and may last four to five times as long. Many can be dyed a variery of colours (even including psychedelic patterns). Almost as strong when wet, They have a high tensile (breaking) strength and are also able to withstand sudden shock loading. Although not

~:It_. ...

'r
t ha

J\ t:m~m.sd,-· cordage is smoother


natural yam. hUl stronger.

M A.N MA.DE

M A.TEIII!l.lS

- M IR!l.e l E FIBRES-

Kevlar - discovered by Du PORI as long ago as 1965 - is an organic polymer immune !O moisture and rot. Weight-for-weight it is twice as strong as nylon, but with low elasticity, and it has been used to replace wire halyards. Then there is or HMPE, the brand name of Allied Chemicals who manufactured
Spectra

ce rta in] y addi ng a lot !O the price). A fairly high melting point of up 10 .260°C (478°F) ensures a reduced risk of melting due to friction; but be warned, il will, like all synthetics, soften and be irredeemably weakened at a much lower temperature than irs melting point, Polyamide withstands artack from alkalis (and acid" !O 3 lesser degree). oils and organic sol vents. It h a, acceptable res i5 Ian ce to photochemical degradation from the ultra-violet wavelengths in sunlight, and to abrasion. Domestic consumer> of this product will be impressed to learn that it is recommended for deep-sea towing and widely used in the off-shore oil industry.
rOLYESTER
[l-u!.Ylt ...... t. DH·IlO ...... )

pol yet hyle ne is fa irly ha rd -w ea rin g and durable but has rhelowest melting point of the four "poly" materials. It is sold in hardware stores as balls of twine and is used in the fishing industry, but it is tOO stiff and springy for most knot tying.
POLYPROPYLENE

In terms of cost and performance, this cordage may b. ranked between vegetable fibre and the superior (nylon. rerylene) manmade fibre cordage. Made from multifilament, monofilamcm. staple fibre or split film, it is the most versatile of synthetic fibres. large quantities manufactured and sold, at
3Te

this super-lightweight polyethylene (marketed by others as Dyneerna and Admiral 2000). Its phenomenal tensile strength is greater than rhar of stainless steel. Released in 1985, looks SCI to supersede Kevlar. The considerable cost of these will nor deter Ocean vacht racers or climbers, for whom competirive edge and extra saferj margins arc worth any price, bu I they are not recommended rou line knot tying.
POL)' II MID E I K'·'I."~1

reasonable prices. via hardware and Dry shops and store, for all kind, of mundane work entailing no high performance risks. It has one-third to half the breaking strength of njlon and a much lower melting point around 150°C (302°F) - rendering it useless for an}' task where friction generates anything approaching that amount of hear, bu r, as it is the lightest of rhe synthetics. and floats indefinitely. it is the obvious choice for lifelines and water-skiing towlines, It ;s completely rot-proof and resistant to most acids, alkalis and oils, but affected adversely by bleaching agents and some industrial solvents, while some cheaper brands denature in bright sun. For lovers of rradirional cordage, there is a light brown rope - reliable, hard wearing and inexpensive - made from polypropylene to resemble hemp. 17

for

Three-quarters the strength of nrlon (but equally strong wet or dry), polyester does not stretch half a, much, and pre-stretching during manu facture can remove most of the latent elasriciry it does possess. Consequently it is recommended for standing rigging, sheets and halyards, where stretch is unwanted but high tensile strength is required, even replacing wire. It resists acid, (and alkalis, 10 a lesser extent), oils and organic solvents. like nylon, it does not nOat and it has about the same melting point and resistance 10 sunlight - bill polyester wears better.
POLY ETH YLE'i E (PC"
YTHE~

Polyamide is the strongest manmade cordage (although 10--15 per cent less when wet) and cheaper than polyester. It is very elastic, stretching under a load anything from 10 per cent to 40 per cent, then regaining its original length when the load is removed. This makes il suitable for mooring lines, also towing and rockclimbing ropes - but not in the restricted space of caves Or crowded moorings, where stretchy ropes could be a hability, It doe, not float, 50 ny len can also be Ll5~ d fo r yachti ng anchor warps, The best colour 10 buy is white, as colouring may weaken the fibre. by 10 per cent (while

'I

Cheap, light (but it bard), floats in water), without much srrcrcb,

INTRODUCTION

Types of Rope
Vegetable fibres are short and must be spun and twisted to create the long yams and strands needed for tope. It is the countless fibre ends that give traditional ropes their characteristic hairy appearance and useful surface grip. Long synthetic filaments run the full length of the ropes they form, so manmade cordage is smooth - unless the filaments are purposely chopped into shorter lengths of staple fibres to make ropes that recapture the desirable handling qualities of the older natural cordage. More fibres and yarns make thicker cordage, and a rope that is twice the diameter of another will, as a general rule, be four times as strong (because the cross-sectional area. has been quadrupled).
LAID

strength and flexibility. If very little tension is applied during the ropemaking process, the product will be floppy and flexible (soft laid), whereas great tension produces stiff (hard laid) stuff. Hard laid lines wear better but soft laid ones are preferable for tying knots, A three-strand rope is known as a hawser (and so is hawser-laid). Three hawsers laid up lefthanded make a nine-strand cable. Four-strand (shroud-laid) rope is less common and requires a core of yarns to fill the hollow space that inevitably occurs at the heart of such ropes. Lefthanded hawsers (and righrhanded cables) are rare but not unknown. Textile workers, weavers and braiders prefer the terms S-Iaid (lefthanded) and Z-laid (righrhanded) for the alternating twist and counrerrwist of yams, strands and ropes.
BRAIDED

It is the twist and counter-twist imparted during manufacture that holds rope strands rogerher and gives them their geometry,

Braided vegetable fibre cordage has always been rare, except in

small sizes for flag halyards and sash window cord. In synthetics it is commonplace and in many ways preferable to strands. An 8or 16-plait (braid) is more flexible and stretches less than laid line. It does not kink, nor does it impart a spinning motion when loaded (as laid lines tend to do). Some braided cordage is hollow. In most, however, a separate core provides strength, elasticity and other essential properties, reinforced by the sheath, which adds extra surface characteristics, such as friction, feel, resistance to abrasion, sunlight and chemicals. This core may take several different forms, in which a braided outer sheath encloses heart strands that can be braided, laid or composed of parallel multi filaments, monofilaments or yarns. Braid-on-braid is acknowledged to be the strongest of cordage constructions and braided synthetic lines are the most versatile of all cordage.

18

KEY TO T\'HS

Of ROPE

a-strand nylon. 16 rnmh\ in anchor braid. 1 J-srrand nylon, 14 mm/'A. in PLAITED to absorb the heat generated
hawser.

by

Eight or sixteen ropes, usually nylon, are woven in pairs to create mighty mooring warps for supertankers.
SHEATH-AND-CORE

Climbing ropes are a special class of cordage, often referred to by the European designation kemmantel (core-sheath). Static ropes take the full weight of climbers and are designed for th! wear, leaf and occasional short fall of regular climbing; while dynamic ropes are used for safety, generally unloaded, but with the extra elasticity and integral strength to cope with potentially disastrous falls and uncontrolled spins. Single ropes are manufactured in 11 mmJ?1 in diameters, plus or minus 5 mmJ 'A in, while half-ropes of 9 mmJ l,ii in diameter, plus or minus 2 mmJ1/il in, are intended to be used doubled. Climbing ropes should have high melting points

abseiling (rappeUing) and belaying. Obtain specialist advice on the detailed properties of these ropes and look for the UlAA (Union lnrernarionale des Associations d'Alpinisme) label of approval Kernmante] accessory cord, used for slings and other attachments, can be obtained in diameters that range hom 4-11 mmJ%-l,j in. Woven nylon webbing comes in widths from 10-75 mmJ5/lz-3 in, but the width most commonly seen is 25 mmJ1 in. A tubular tape, resembling a flattened hollow tube, handles and knots easily due to its suppleness, but a flat weave, similar to that found in car seat belts, is stronger, sri ffer and has better resistance to wear and abrasion. It is highly versatile and not too expensive for harnesses, belts and slings, and it also makes excellent luggage rack lashings (straps) for cars and vans. 1.

3 4

3-mand polyester, t 4 m m/'tI, in hawser. 3 -s trand .p~o pol yesrer, 14 mml'A. in hawser (r.sembling narurallibre rope). 3-5trand monofilament polypropylene, 14 mmPtI, in hawser. 3-snand uapldspun polypropylene, t 4 mml'lo, in hawser. 16--plair mart polyester, 14 mmP/l> inbraid-on-braid rope, wilh an unusual core (itself al6-plail enclosing an 8-plait), creati ng three concenrric la yers, 16-plail
mall

polyester, 16

mmJ',\ in braid-OR-braid rope

(wi rh a d oub le I.ayered core, as above). 9 16-plai! pre-sue tched po I yester, 16 mmJ',l in braidon-braid (with an a-plair core) rope.

10 16-plail Dyneema, 12 mml~ in braid-on-braid rope (wi eh a two-layered core). 11 16-plait Dyneema, 10 mmI 'A. in braid-on-braid (ope (with a lWo-layered core). 12 16-plail polypropylCllc, 9 mmI 'AI in braid-oo-braid cord (with a bard-laid 8-plaid cord core).
13

16-plait polyester, 6 mmll<l in sheath-and-core cord (with a hean of four 3-,uaJ)d Strinss). sA, in braid-cu-b rai d rope (wi rh an 9-plai! core).

14 S-plai! mati polyesler, 10 mmI

15 S-plair multifilamene

polypropylene. S mml\.\ in braidon-braid cord (with an S-plai!


cere),

16 8-p I ail P re-srretched polyester,

6 mml~. in sheath-and-core cord (wirh a bean of three

Breaking Strengths
Ropernakers' brochures and lea flets usuall y conra in tables listing the minimum average breaking load of every type and si ze uf their cordage products. Un forru narely, th e data di Hers from company to company, depending upon the tests and equipment each firm uses, making comparisons
SPECI FICA TlO N S

difficult.

species can he gained from the following outline. The minimum breaking strength of a 4 mm!Y" in diameter slim nylon cord of 3 -strand or ll-plait construction is likely to be around 320 kg/705 lb, which might withstand two 159kg/25 -stone Japanese sumo wrestlers having a tug-of-war. For standard 3-strand polyester of the sa me diameter the figu re is a tri fle lower - 295 kg/650 Ih - hut an 8plait construction combined wirh pre-stretch treatment cha nges that
to

achieve these kinds of performance with natural fibres, it would he necessary to have at least a 25 per ce n t increase in diameter to 5 mm/'/; in manila or 33.3 per cent to 6 mm/Y, in sisal.
LARCER SIZES

With a 10 mmP/" in thin nylon 3-strand hawser, the minimum break ing strength increases to around 2,400 kg/5,292 Ih. That is almost two-and-a-half metric ronnes, the weight of a large motor ve h icle. Agai n, rh e average figure is somewhat less for polyester at 2,120 kg/about 2 tons; 1 ,382 kg/I 1/, tons for polypropylene; and 1.090 kg/
III sr over a ton for pol yethel e ne.

Product specificarions may blur the facts: for example, a "mooring line" made for specialized of an cla-tic markets, may consist nvlun COTe inside a

around

450 kg/990

lb. at

Polypropylene of the same diameter is variously quoted 140 kg!J09 even 4.\0 kg/925

hard-wearing polyesrer <heath. wh de l1l,lTl~' ma,,-p roduced and


(olll p.l

lh, 250 kg/55 I lh and Ih; polyethylene

r.mvelv c heap cordage ,,,I J tor t he dome ti ... .m be much weaker.

is about 18 ~ kg/40H Ih. while the averag<:' breaking strength of a


4 ml11/\-", in cord

m.irkcr,

"f D~'nC"C"mJ;
I, J 1,4 :;2 lb. To

by contrast,

Dyneerna/Adrnirnl 2000/Spectra, would he about

Adrrn ral 100()!Spntr;]


remarkable (,)()

kW

4.,000 kg/about 4 tons. The same size of rope in manila could onlv (ope with 7 [0 kg/I,5 65 lb and

si sal with 635 kg! 1,400 10.


Finally, for a sizeable in rope diameter, quoted nylon polyesrer breaking
>

24 rnrn, are: tuns; tons, 9

the average

strengths

== 13 tonnes112.8 10 tonnes/9.8

polypropylene tons:

== 8 tonnes/?

tons; polyethylene

== 6 ronnes/S. 9

and Dyneerna/Adrniral

2000/SpectrJ == a stupendous 20 to n ne,/ 19.7 tons. Even the besr manila strong) would have to he nearly
to

rwi ce rhar size (and fou r Iirnes as match those figure.

Vegetable fibre cordage is much weaker and generally has" shorter life than synthetic products.

"('

IU:".1

'Synrh...:tit,: made fn)m

cordage
.J

i:'lo

much stronger fihr...:.

and

~(·fH:r.lll} hil~

'un~n

life rhan pr oducrv

\ cgctahlc

CO,1r IRI"{;

A"U

CON [RAS flNG N >,TUIlAL


__ 'hI.\ Tlr,R \L ._

fn.llll·

\Nn

SYNTHlTl(

FISK[

ROI'B
:S"r
NTII[ilC' FI8:R.~:i.

FIBHI;.<.

u·,·.__....'..'.. .

LO

.....

'

•••

i~JI

Cation

S h ock 11~.adi g n HJndtin~


[)Uf'abilily

R1..~. & mi IJ C\1l, rt.:"!>i ~ iance

u.v
.~I".""id o\lk:lli

rcsi ..mecv
r ......i~loll'I~" , ~'''':Si~13i'1~(:

• • •••• •

••••
•• •••• •• ••
drr sinks.
not ;1HC"-Ch:d

Hemp

Abrasion r..~L~!;:)"~(! ·
SfOr.l~r.:
RUllr.1nlC~

•• ••
dry

• •

•••• ••••

••• ••• •

M.nil1.

•• •••
dr~ sin!..!!. not affccn .. J

• •••• • •• •••
dry s.illk~ not affected

•••

•• ••

Po I)"<lh j'lme

•••• ••

•• •• •••• • ... •... .... .... .... .... •• •••


p"lypmpylonc
POIYI:'Sh:T

Po 1)':3mide

••••

•••• ••••
••
drr
I. :!S"C

.... • .... .... ... •••• .


••
••••
~illk~ drr
wet

••••

•••• ••••
.... t or drv :c

•••• •• •••
!oink~

'1'1-'''':1 Of

'1'0'...-:1or

ordrv

:)inks
poi"1 ~

Ho,,, (ju«1
abuur

"oats

.\h:hin~

...ot affected

.. bout 150~C ~3b(,ur .!62~F) (,boo' 30lon

abnut .:!50-foC .1bouI.:!.J.5"C (,bo", F.l·f) (.hu", ~M~°f)

... ev:

.rVtlr

"~(,'(JI.i!;.l~ ~...nen-

"'~':K..,.j 'M.C.l~.-C(1o~..I1

.... p-c'rb;llpl

c:o.;;;"dk~1
~U=-~O:pn

.... "10[" Ih~L~ r.J~~~ ..

.In..!

~~n! tLI\Li!"r

Icmr~t.llut~.... , .

,\\.\\,~

RY
,elko:"
1)0

.1

nd

,\I II, 11<1 v ,

',~ dell,l

l'ng,l

b"

III pore nt ,,\I I\

h.1f..udOIl'
(:111

.ir and rear (mcluding k norv),


damage or misuse k.g.

pu r-u: r-, - from under-.e,


[he'

shock

-xplnr .itiun

obr.un

'!.lei In(:. or eXlt',,, ve rr: ct Ion}. on seq uen t lv a sa it" '\0 rk Ing I(lad \\,111 ho: cunsrderablv less - pe rha p~
J.

,11. dc-I,III, fr"l11 rhe'

titrh

!U

a seventh of rhe quoted


Then again,
many
I, 15

-rrengths.
cordage actually

often
dun
J

·"JI)· to

huv synrheric
times stronger for ...xarnple,

required;

cord would not march .I block and rackl e made tor 2.5 min. 1 In rupe even though rr
mm.!» III

nughr hI:' ah le !U cope \\,1 th \ he mrended load, nur could I( be ("rnfor!.)ph· grasped in the lund Jnd heaved. "nul rver .. do n O{ norm n<"eJ to k n ,,'I
l"k(ul.lr
J II\'

~Irhe r rh e

structure mterprercd

of (urclJge

or

ir-, tnl

J,\{;)

In ch.ir ts

and graphs. Cavers and climbers. tl) ers (ut ghder s and rrucr ohghr

·,NT~OI)UCTION

Care of Cordage
Do not leave rope or smaller stuff (cotton, thread or string) exposed needlessly to bright sunlight. Avoid any chemical contamination (for example, car battery acid). Protect synthetics from heatgenerating friction, spark-spitting camp-fires or acetylene-cutting torches, and all other kinds of combustion. Try to avoid letting wet rope freeze. Store cordage in a dark, dry and cool place with good air circulation; relative humidity should be 40-60 per cent and the ternperatu re I0-20"C (SO-70"F). Wash dirty ropes in warm water to remove abrasive grit from rh ei r fi bres and then dry them genrly; similarly, ar the end of ::I 5::1 iiing season, SO<l k and rinse in fresh water ropes that have been ex posed to sal t crystals. Abrasion can resul r from ca reless
• _\Ho\ t

"'·RAI'PED
KNOTTED

I\.:

REEF u,

co

handling in a rough environment or from III-fining blocks, cleats, or fai rleads, but fai r wear and tear is inevitable, whether it is from regular use or from being kept in the same position for prolonged periods. Even unused rope that has been carefully stored will age and become less reliable.
INSPECTING ROPES

Rope and smaller <cordage alike may be ITa nsp orted {hi, way, in a bag Or the boot (trunkl of a m 0 lor vehide, wi rh a real i,tic 11. op e thai it maybe retrieved ta ngle-fre e a I the end of the journey.

Inspect ropes periodically, by metre/yard

metre

by yard in a good

light, for loose, worn and broken surface ya rns and cut strands.
... LEfT ALPI N E CO! L

Some surface fluffing is inevitable; it is fairly harmless and might actually afford slight protection from further wear. Chemical attack can show as staining and

Cli m bers favo ur this mean, of carryin g their ropes.

22

11:1: ... 0\\

ro u, Sl"rck~"p(" prefer this method, whieh pr",··id", a loop for ha"<:in,, ropes,
-~I"'HT

FI RlMA

N'S

COil

Elegantly simple, Ihi, merhod deserves '" he b.ller known.

used with lifting tackle must be pensioned off lung before they rear h such senescence. Each rope should have its own lug book in which its working history is recorded. Communal club ropes (that anyone might use at any time) should be retired after tWO ur three years, but individually owned and maintained ropes may be used for four to five rears, then down-graded for teaching knots and other points of general use that do not involve climbing,

It has been observed that rope with a mind of its own, awkward to manipulate and a trifle disobedient, is generally at the height uf its powers. B~'contrast, rope that is soft and amenable, a pleasure to handle, should be condemned and discarded. There is some truth in this. Do not tread on rope, allow it to be nipped or become kinked, or drop It irom J height. Coil ropes luu~dy and then hang them up on Pt'g' ,,~II above the tlour_

sofrening. Heat damage is harder to identify, unless fusing and glazing are detectable. lnre rna 1 wear and damage can be seen by carefully opening laid strands but may be concealed in braided stuff (when the core could be weakened while the sheath remains relatively unworn and lacks obvious damage). So a risk assessment for braided lines must also take into account their recent history of use and abuse. Worn-out rope looks its age _ It is often attenuated (weakened by stretching), with a reduced diameter and a more acute angle of lay between the strands. Sheath-a nd-core ropes CJn develop creep, the sheath moving separately from the heart strands. Climbing ropes and those
23

INTflODUCTION

Tools
Acquire a sharp and robust craft knife to cut rope and cord; scissors work only on thin strings and twines. Most of the knots in this book can be tied and tightened with just the fingers, aided now and then with a prod from the pointed cap of a ballpoint pen. A few (such as the Turk's heads) are more easily completed with one or more of the following TOols.
GRIPFIDS

BELOW

Tying elaborate knots is made easier with one or more handy 1001, (see key 10 illusrration).

Handmade by rope craftsman Stuart Grainger, these resemble small Swedish fids, with the refinement that the tip clings to working strands, pulling them through knorwork as the tool is withdrawn. Two sizes cope with cordage up to either 7 mm/-v,,, in or J2 mm/'''' in diameter.
'ETTING NEEDLES

pliers") will have an overall length of about 10 cmJ4 in, with more robust sizes from about 15 cm/6 in upwards.
SWEDISH FIDS'
KEY TO TOOLS

1 Netting needle (large) 2 3 Netting needle (medium) Netting needle (small) Grip6d (large) Grip6d (small) Hollow "Swedish" lid (small) Hollow "Swedish" lid (large) Homemade wire loop (large) Homemade wire loop (Slnall)

These serve as bobbins for storing quantities of small cords tanglefree and ready for immediate 4'/_>in to jumbo-sized use. Sizes range from a tiny 11.5 cmJ ones 30 emf 12 in or more in length. Shun crudely made ones in favour of those that are pol ished to a smooth finish. The seller will show you how
to

These are used to poke and prize open gaps through which from working strands can be tucked and pulled. Obtainable yacht chandlers and serious rope

4 S 6 7 8 9

stockists, they range in length from about 15 cmJ6 in to 38 cmJ 15 in or more. Choose a size to match the scale of your work.

10 Homemade wire loop (medium) 11 Jeweller's pliers 12 Round-bin~ pliers

load them.

ROUN D· BI LLED PLI ERS

Handy for tightening

knots with

WIRE

LOOPS

lots of crossing points. Most high street hardware shops or do-ityourself superstores will have them. Choose a pair to suit the scale of work: a small size (sometimes called "jeweller's 24

Homemade

from stiff and springy ~ Originally hardwood occasionally fids were solid spikes. They can be found in antique

wire 0.25 emJYi" in diameter - or thinner - inserted securely into a handle, these are indispensable alternatives to fids when working with smaller stuff.

shops or markets as collectable treen (lathe-turned wood).

Cutting & Securing Ends


TYING &: TAPING TYING

Before cutting any natural fibre cordage, first tape 0 r ti e it to prevent fraying. Adhesive tape is the least attractive option - and unacceptable on finished crafrwork - but it is used a lot in preparatory stages as an easy alternative to whipping. Wrap where the cut is to be made and then simply slice the tape in half to achieve two bound ends at a stroke. Alternatively, tie a pair of strangle or constrictor knots, one on either side of where the cut is to be made.
HEATING &: SEALING

Tie two constrictor knots, one eilh.er side of where the CUI will be made.

Slice venically down halfway b erween th e two hi n ding kno IS aIre ady tied.

TAPING

This is now widely practised by ropeworkers and riggers. There is no need to tape or tie heat-sealed ends. Rope manufacturers and stockists have electrically heated guillotines to cut-and-seal the ropes and cords they sell. These COSttOO much for most of us, so the comparatively cool yellow flame of a struck match may have to do on small stuff. For large diameters, or to cut-and-seal a batch of strands, heat the blade of an old penknife in the blue flame of a blow-torch until the rip and edge glow cherry-red. Pause to reheat it every few seconds for a dean and fast cut. Nylon melts, drips and burns with whitish smoke and a smell said to resemble fish or celery; it may even flash into a small flame (easily blown OUt). Polyester melts, drips and burns with dense black smoke and a smell like mushrooms. Polypropylene and
With an electric guillotine or 3 healed knife blade (not shown), cordage and small diameter ropes rna y be neatly cui aDd sealed, Use the naked flame of a malch or cigarette li,gb rer far a 'Iuick bu I often lumpy seal,

Wrap a rum Or twO of adhesive lap. around the rope 0 r cord. SEALING I

CUI verti<:a1lydown Ihraugh the middle of the taped portion.

HEAT

HEAT

SEALING

polyethylene react at lower temperatures, shrinking rapidly away from the source of heat. It is possible ro pinch the soft heated ends to a point, rolling them between forefinger and thumb, before they harden, but take care

to wet the fingertips first or it may cause a burn and blister. A cord that appears to be synthetic but actually chars and even ignites without melting, is probably made from rayon, which comes from wood pulp.

Terms & Techniques


Anyone who ties a knot is described in knotting circles as a ryer (not tier) since the former is unambiguous while the latter has a different meaning when written.
SIMPLE TERMS

of knots in this thicker cordage than would ordinarily be used to tie them. For in ranee, the whipping and fishermen's knots would actually be tied in very fine twines and monofilamenrs. This bas been done to make the tying proces dearer. The characteristically barrel- haped knots for use in angling menofilamenrs do not always tighten as easily in larger cordage - but they can, with a Iirtle more rime and care, be shaped and lightened to make u efu I general purpose hold fasts.

The end actively involved in the tying process is referred to as the working end or sometimes - by anglers - as the tag end; the inactive remainder is known as the standing pari and standing end. Doubling a line so that TWO parts are brought close together creates a bight. If this is done to locate the exact centre of the bit of stuff in hand, then one is said to middle it. Once the two adjacent parts cross, a bight turns into a loop; a further twist creates a couple of elbows, while the process of turning a bight or loop into an improvised ere by wrapping the end several times around the standing part
IS

climbing ropes are 9 mmJ~ in diameter). Anything much smaller is referred to as cord, string, twine or thread. Rope and cord are collectively called cordage but, more commonly, stuff. A rope or cord dedicated to a particular job becomes a line (tow line, washing line, lifeline, throwing or heaving line), or acquires an even more specific label (lanyard, lashing or lassoo). A lightweight throwing or heaving line that is used to haul a heavier line across an intervening space is known as a messenger. The terms plait and braid are virtually interchangeable. There are, however, some who say that braids are flat while plaits have a three-dimensional cross-section. Ropeworkers often "take a turn" in order to check a load by means of the friction it applies. Wrapping the working end an extra amount to bring it alongside the standing parr, so as to tie it off, produces a round turn. Converting a single-ply knot to two, three (or more) ply involves foUowing the original lead of the knot around with the working end. The place within a knot where the collective friction of its pans is concentrated is known as it from is the the nip. The tuck that finally secures a knot, preventing collapsing or unravelling, overhand

so small that it deforms and damages a rope becomes a kink. The word rope is generally defined as meaning any plaited, braided or laid (in strands) product over 10 mm diameter, exceptions although

Wll

in) in

referred to as

there are

dogging. Any loop that is pulled

(for example, some

locking tuck. A simple loop is an loop when the working an underhand end lies on top of the standing part, becoming loop if the working end goes beneath the standing pan.

More ofren than not, a clove hitch may have been tied with the working end.

But slide the knot sideways fall apart,

offiu

foundation

- and il will

Once

separated
bUI

from its foundation.

norhiag remains

of the

knor

the

line in which it was ried.

To re-ne the dove huch, Ihis rime in the bight, lim cast an overhand loop.

Create

a second underhand

loop immediately along'ide

the

firS! one.

Twist the loops

10

overlap them. The resulnng dove hitch.

may b e s Iid back on 10 .i IS foun da tion.

TYING TECHNIQUES Most knots can be tied in more than one way. The methods illustrated have been chosen either because they are easier to learn or to photograph dearly. Practised knot tyers develop more dextrous ways to tie knots that are almost sleight of hand. Discover these slicker and quicker tying nicks for yourself: with a completed knot in your hands, back-track, untying the knot a step at a time, to see how it is

created. A short cut may occur to you. Re-tie it that way in future. Tying a knot "in the bight" means doing so without using the working end. When a hitch or a binding knot collapses to nothing if slid from the foundation around which it was tied or a loop knot can be unravelled without recourse to its ends (in other words, it "unties in the bight"), then it can be tied in the bight. This is the "law of hitch & bight" proposed by Harry Asher

in the mid-1980s. A surprisi ng number of knots may be tied this way. Knowing the principle can also enable knot ryers to spot subtle differences in seemingly identical knots: for example, the bag knot can be tied in the bight but the miller's knot cannot. Most knots must be drawn up gradually so as to remove slack and daylight before gently pulling on each end and standing pan in turn to create a knot that remains snug and firm.

BASIC KNOTS, BENDS & HITCHES


"Every knot is an exercise in friction ... extreme simplicity can only be had at the expense of effectiveness ...
(BRION TH£ RIGGER·,

To ss
1984)

ApPRENTJC£.

AU knotting may be summed up under three main headings: Knots, Bends and Hitches. A hitch attaches a line to a post, rail, spar, ring or even another rope; a bend joins two ropes together; a knot is anything other than a bend or a hitch (including stopper knots, binding knots and loop knots) although the word "knot" is also used, sometimes confusingly, in a general way to refer even to bends and hitches. Discover how easily you can tie these 20 basic knots. All you will need is two lengths of flexible cord, each 1-2 mJ3-6~ ft long and from 5-10 mrn/ !t1-SI'12 in in diameter. Most cordage will fray unless the ends are securely treated in some way. A better-looking treatment than taping, tying and heat sealing is a whipping of some kind, and four whipped ends are detailed in this section.

a w src

KI"IIOTS

BENDS'"

HITCHE.S

Simple, Overhand or Thumb Knot


This is the most elementary stopper knot, to prevent small stu ff (cotto n, thread or string) from fraying or pulling out of a hole through which it has been threaded. Its uses range from securing thread in a needle to tying loose change into the corner of a handkerchief when on the beach or anywhere else where deep pockets are temporarily not available. Nobody ever has to be taught to tie this knot. It just comes naturally.

Make an overhand loop in the 'mall stuff that is to be tied.

Tuck the working end through the loop alread y formed an d pu non rh e standing end 10 righten the knot,

Overhand

Knot with Drawloop

Drawloops act as quick releases, and may also strengthen some knots by bulking them up with an extra knot part. Overlooked and underrated ryers, drawloops used more, and by many knot deserve to be

will

from time in

to time be recommended this book.

Stare to lit a simple overhand knot but SlOp before Ihe working end has been full y pull ed through.

30

Two Strand Overhand Knot


knot that the ngesr pe rson can fit' msrincnvelv, It creates J bigger sroppe r knot, ior cottons or d omesnc string. and 0 lso acts to hold cords together JS long JS they lie in the same direction, for
IOU

ThIS IS another

ample, to prevent a waist tie in pyjamas, swimming trunks or tracksuit trousers (sweatpants) from pulling out when not in use, NB: This is not a bend because the two cords are not aligned to be pulled in opposite directions.

Place the rwo strings Or cords


tied parallel and rogerher.

10

be

Tie a simple Tighten.

overhand tracks)

knot. throughout.

taking

care 10 keep the line,

parallel

(like railway

Double

Overhand

Knot

This forms a chunkier stopper knot than the simple overhand knot, although it will not block a

larger hole. It is, however, an indispensable technique for other knots that are based upon it.

Tie an overhand working

knot - but ruck the time.

end a second

Gendy

pull both

ends apart, shown,

at the the

same lime rwisring thumb

them in opposue

directions, lefrhsnd
3W3)'.

In the example

goe, up and away from thumb down

the ')'et. the righrhand The cord dictate, do, ,imply diagonal

and

what it wants ro

go along with it. See how a knot part wraps

itSelf around
at the

let it happen.

Pull on both end, rh is knor,

sa me ri me 10 ligh'en

B,,t$IC

KNOTS

a,ENDS

I5c

HJTCHES

Triple (and Multiple) Overhand Knots


Three (or more) initial tucks produce triple or multiple overhand knots. These can make shortenings and embellishments, such as those seen in the ropes around the waists of nuns and monks, who used this triple knot as a symbolic reference to their threefold sacred vows.

Pull bOlh ends, rOlaling them in different directions so Ihal "diagonal wrapping tum appears.

1 ru

Ti. a double overhand knol,lhen ck Ihe worki nG en d a Ihi rd lim e.

Shape the emerging knot to bed all of the knol pans down snugly. Tighlen by pu IIin g bo It. ends apa rr,

Strangle
A double overhand around something,

Knot
knot, tied makes a clamp do-it-yourself and hobbyists' bits-and-pieces together while the glue hardens. Several other useful binding knots are featured in this book; but, for a start, this one is as good as any. Try it also with a drawloop.

strangle knot. Use it to seize cut ends of cordage and prevent them from fraying; to secure rolls of anything from carpets to technical drawings and wallpaper, or to

1
32

Pro d uce a dou ble 0 v.rhand k n 01 bu I at this slage keep iI vcry loose.

between theother two knol pans, and righlco Ih. knol by pulling on both ends. The end. can ahen be <;\1.1 off shon.

lnsert whatever is

10

be bound,

easuee Ihe overriding diagonallic~

Single Hitch
Curnmonlv
referred art.ichrnenr

to

;1S

a half
for

11Ik'h, ,1111nt> this i~an unreliable r xcepr

rhe

111<),t

re 111 pOLHI' and rri \I ;11 llf

purposes (when a dr awloop might he Ip) but it I' the means vI finishing off other more substantinl working hitches.

Tie [he ubiqu itous overhand around somcrhing


I

knot

firm. such a, a fat how this careful end.

Leave a long",

working pulled

end. which through.

is not completely

for

fel! rip pen, '0 discover rcarrangcmen

a drawloop,

[f.]PS the- working

Two Half Hitches


Two half hitches are rhe rried and
trusted
Wa)- to

always

identical,

i.e _ rhe workrng

secure

line

to

end got's the same way around


the standing part in hurh cases.

ring, rail or anything.

They are

Tie a smgle half hitch with the working end of the line,

complcre [hi, useful auachmcnt.

Add ". ideneical and draw

second

half hitch together


10

them 'nugl~'

Round Turn & Two Half Hitches


This is a classic hitch. comparatively strong and secure, the name of which describes it exactly. It
tow

can be used to secure a boat, to a broken-down vehicle or secu re a load.

Take a turn around {he anchorage, I>ring {he working end alongside the
parr, and .ppl~ a half hitch.

Add an identical complete

half hitch

10

rhis dependable knot.

<landing

Overhand Knot & Half Hitch


Tlu- loop knot has been used hr II't'J ver-, to rig looms. by ln u its (E,klmo,» ro string bows, by anglers as a leader loop for tackle, and for starting to tie parcels. It is sometimes called a packer's knot.

Tie an overhand drawloop

knot

with a large the loop 10

and adjust

ehe required

size.

by pulling the loop leg' in rum.


pari. Tighten

Wrap

and ruck

half hitch with the the 'landing


On

working

end around

each one of

34

Overhand Loop
Use rh is ,ay basic knot in rh i n fi to r <turn ng parce Is and other lushmgs. It does not easilv untie
Sn.1

and is therefore a knot that must generaliv be cut off and discarded after use.

Double

0,,"

end of 3 (COrd (make

a bight) and form a loop in the end.

Tie an overhand trouble


10

knot,

laking

tho neatly b)'

keep the knot pan, the knot,

doubled

parallel pulling

throughout

Tighten

on each one of rhe four knot

parts in turn.

Double Overhand
Thrs loop is bulkier and slightly stronger rhan the previous one,

Loop
to

Do not attempt off afte ruse.

untie it - cut

It

Wilh a somewhat double o, -erhand

longer bight, ne a
knot.

Uncrnss an~' twisted remove

knot parts and

an)" slack until the knot pulling on each of .he

ass u mes irs cha rae teris tic s ha pe. Th ell tighten gradually, four k n 01 parIS in ru TIl.

Surgeon's Loop
This is a triple overhand loop, stronger for the ex rra ruck, and is recommended for angling lines, Make this knot in dispensable stu ff as it is easier to CUt ito ff rhan to untie it.

M~kc"

birl)" long bight and ric a

treble overhand

k not in i l.

Eliminate

any unevenness knot.


!O

and mould rna)" spit no

it with your fingers iruo a smooth


Anglers

barrel-shaped

monof laments

III hricate (hem.

Simple Noose
TIm vrrnplevt of running

(sliding)

1",,1" "

u se lul to sra rt pa rce

Is or

other la,hmg ....

Wor~ ing away from (he short end. tie an overhand 'tanding knot (with drawloop) in what wou ld norma IIy be regarded as rh 0

part of ,he line, and pull if tight.

Scaffold Knot
This is ,1 strong, secure sliding loop. Use it when an eye must be protected from chafe by means of a metal or plastic liner (called a "thimble"), Tighten the loop to grip and hold this particular bit of hardware. With practised fingers, this knot can be (it'd in no more than 30 seconds and the beaut)' of it is that the more the strain that's put on it, the tighter this knot will grip.

Mak. a bight and Ii. a double o ver hand kn ot with Ih e working end around the standing parI of the lin e,

Pull the end and the appropriate leg of the loop in opposite dirccrions '0 tighten the knot,

Multiple
A triple overhand

Scaffold Knot
multiple overhand knot, but there is probabl r little bene fit fro m doing this other than to produce a handsomely handy bulk.

knot will make

a double scaffold knot, which is perhaps slightly stronger. A multiple knot results from a

Ti e a straigh I forw ard rri pic overhand knot in the working end Mound the standing pan.

Pull rhe end and the appropriate loop leg in opposite directions 10 ti gil ten the knot.

Overhand Bend
Also known as the tape knot. this knot is recommended for the flat or tubular woven webbing (tape) used by cavers and climbers although it works in anything fro rn the 10 rgesr cables to th e finest angling monofilarnenrs,

Follow

the lead of the originnl working end.

knot

with the xecond

3 1
Tic an "wrhan~ knot in t~c.cnd of nnol.:' f the rwo Jines to be' [oined. u l nvcrt

For knot

twofold pans

knot,

ensure

that all

are parallel

and that the that it may be parts

short ends emerge

at the tOP of the knot

as there is some evidence

STronger rhis way. Pull the standing

rhe end "f the second line.

to tighten.

Fisherman's
.ih It" Ii-herma n '> knor
van he' used for anything

Knot
a knot that can be untied If it has been made from rope, butif you will you make it out of string have to cut it off.
to

and

evervrhmg he.

trorn dome-stic

mduvtrral

rcsk-. This is

Lay the two lines parallel to one another,

a nd close

,ying an overhand the standing

knot with one end around part of rhe other.

knot with rhc other both part, working individual knots,

Turn for-end

rhe halt-completed

knot

end-

and lie an identical ends to tighten

overhand

end, Pu II firS! on

the

then on the standing

'0 unite and ligh,en the knot.

Double Fisherman's
The stronger double fisherman 's knor is known to anglers as a grinner knot (presumably because

Knot
of th .. gaping mouth formed hefur e the knots slid .. shut). It is J reasonabl r sew re k nut.

knot with One ",orkillg other standing pare

Pbu ,he rwo Jines paro,lld and, dose


together, t)'lng a double overhand rhe end around

overhand

To,rn the ,half",cO,mpl<!.,d knot end10H,nd and ne a second double knot with the other end,

Tighten individual knots before pu lling On rhe standing pans !O dose the knot.

Triple Fisherman's
A triple fisherman's knot is an angler's double grinner knot and is used for thinner, springier or more slippery lines.

Knot

Proceed

3S

lor.

double

fisherman's

knot

- bur u,. rriple overhand tighten s;m;,larly.

knots - and

Strength & Security


Knots weaken the rope, cord or string in which they are tied. An unwanted overhand knot allowed to remain in a fishing line or washing line, for instance, will more than halve the breaking strength. Bulky knots are better, the double fisherman's or grinner knot preserving 65 to 70 per cent of the cordage strength and the blood knot 85 to 90 per cent; while the bimini twist is claimed by some to be 100 per cenr efficient (in other words, as strong as the unknotted line). Climbers, whose lives literally hang upon their knots; anglers, keen to preserve expensive tackle and to catch that record-breaking fish; ropeworking assault, rescue or survey teams; lifting tackle operatives on construction sites all choose and use strong knots. Security is a di fferent consideration. A strong knot that slips and sl ides, spills, capsizes or otherwise comes undone, is less secure than one that holds firm. Some knots are secure enough when carefully assembled and placed under a steady load but loosen and come adrift if intermittently jerked or repeatedly shaken. Since strength and security are different characteristics, knots that combine both of them would seem to be ideal - why bother with any others? This is because ease of tying and untying are often essential. Simplicity too may be desirable. So, when they can get away with it, knot ryers knowingly trade off one quality

8E.LOW

.PEI,.QW

8ELOW

figure- of-eighl loop made even more secure by means of a double o verba nd kn 0'.

Re1alively weak reef kno, rendered se cure wilh a cou pie of dou ble ..verha nd k nots,

Climber's Strop strength ened and secured with a double fisherman'. knot plu taped end, .

against the other. Indeed some classic knots, despite long established reputations for reliability, are surprisingly weak and insecure when put to the test. The common bowline is barely 45 per cent strong and in stiff or slick rope can easily be made to spill.

Knots can be made more secure. For example, the relatively strong figure-of-eight loop may be made more secure by attaching the short end of the rope to its adjacent standing part with a double overhand common knot (above left). Similarly, the bowline may be both and made more version, the strengthened

secure with the extra turn of this double (or climber's) safeguarded working end of which is further with an overhand knot to the nearest leg of the loop (left). The reef knot is essentially weak, but the two ends may be secured with a couple of double overhand knots (above centre). A proprietary brand of chock (above right), known as a "wallnut" and used for mountaineering and related activities, is attached to a snap made from outstandingly strong Spectra accessory cord. This is tied with a double fisherman's
• A80VE

knot. Security is assured by taping both ends to their adjacent standing parts.

Strengthened bowline secured wilh an overhand knot.

Common

Whipping
l "mp'lr:lti\'~h quick to applv, h I' Had iri llJ1JI treatment fur n,p",'> end I~ also the must likel)
t W

cornc

unned.

WHIPPINGS Whipping twine, arc 501d by rope stockists, Use natural [vegetable) fibre for natural fibre ropcs and symbelie on synthetic ropes. Whipped ends should not be heat-sealed. The illumation samples have been made with thicker cords, for clarity, than wou Id really b. used.

Ivbke

a long bight and lar i I along

the rope a, shown,

of the bigh, within the irunal turn. \t.'rapping turns arc made in rhe opposite direction '0 the Ia)· of the rope, so that any tendency for the rope 10 unlaj- will tighten the whipping.

Begin 10 wrap Ihc working around

end

rhe rope. erapping

borblegs

Continue the rope's

to wrap ti~htl) end.

Inward,

raking 1Io:"3n: (n klL.:"t;'p until the

each turn snug.ly and ncatlv ~goin~[ the preceding whipping diameter one, Continue

i~at

IC;}S,f

as IOIlg. a~ the

of (he r opc.

(left) Tuck

(he w_ ork. ing end through

the remaining portion

of the bi~hl.

i I trap' 'he working dragged


1he

(rig/'I) Pull (he working end (n", illusrratcd) to reduce 'he bight until end ;, turns. reach elbows

end; Ihen pu 11

harder. so rh .. the working


beneath
[he"

the wrapping inierlocked

Stop when centre

01 ,he whipping. If (he)' sa ...through and break the rwine, e ither wrap Ie" tightly or usc stronger st u ff; in anv case the)' make a bulge beneath the
wrapping turns, Trim the end s.

41

BASIC

ti:NOT5.

BINDS

&

HITCH['S

Perfected Whipping
This improved version eliminates the harsh elbows that are a feature of the common whipping.

together, pointing in opposite directions, 011 the rope,

Lay both ends of the whipping twine

Begin 10 wrap with Ih31 part of the twine furthest from the rope's end.

Conrinue 10 wrap as lightly and neatly as po ss ible, keeping Ibe two u nderlyi ng twi ne parts par a 11.1 a lid together, and untangling rhe working bight (each completed revolution) from Ih. rope's end.

As the working bight shrinks, remove the twist that is inevuably imparted to it (better still, with practice, at the stan insert 3 counter-twist that will unwind the work progresses).

3,

Pull on the end of the rwine 10 remove all slack from the final wrapping tum, before pulling steadily on hOlh ends to secure and finish off the whipping.

West Country Whipping


Some dismiss this J.~ ugly and not ~1proper whipping. It is cerra i n Iy not ,1S near J.S other whippings, but more pragmatic knor eyers point our {hat it stays put when a common whipping comes undone. ln practice, the al rernate h31 f knots, wi th repetition. begin 10 take on 3 rugged bumpiness that is not unarrracti ve ,

Tic an overhandknor I in from (he rope's

about end.

2.5 em!

(he reverse s idc.

Turn

the- rope fJ-Cc down and tic an second overhand kruu on

identical

fitS! one.
knoenng

Turn
3

the work Repeal


On

face up a.g.ain, and lie knot alongside of simple rhe

rhird overhand alternate

this process

sides.

Finish off with a. reef (square) and poke the end, back beneath whipping

knot.

the completed pointed

with a handy

implement.

Sailmaker's
No matter how well tied, after much wear and tear, whippings do inevitably come loose and come off .. For ropes that flog about in the wind, such as flag halyards and running rigging aboard sailing craft, this tough variant is tied info the rope's strands, which gives it extra strength and security. Alternatively, on braided rope, the riding turns that secure it may be stitched right through with a robust needle.

Whipping

Unlay Ihe rope', end for a distance of about 5 emil in and pas a bight of whipping twine over 0 ne stran d, ,0 Ihal both end, of the tw ine emerge between the other two strands,

Re-lay rhe strands and select eilher end of rbe rwine with which 10 begin the whipping.

Wrap neatly and lightly from the bight Iowa rd. Ih. rope's en d.

Continue unrit the lenglh of the whipping at least equal, the diameter of the rope.

Lay the bighl along the rope so thai ir ,pirals with one leg following each of the groove, created by the srran d iI originally enclosed.

loop the bight over the strand and pull il right with the standing end of the twin e,

Lay Ihis end of the rwine in a similar helix along the remaining Ihird groove.

Tie the rwo end, securely between the strands I'refera bly with a reef (square) knot. (Nole - A granny knot was used here, as ;1 was easier 10 conceal in the piclII re of the finished whip ping, giVeD the thick cord.)

BENDS
'To bend two Cabells or Roapes together ... when we mesne to take them a-sunder againe. "
(Sill THE HENllY MANWAYRING DleTlONA -

Sf A • MA N'S

n.

1644)

A bend is any knot that joins two ropes or other lines together. As a general rule, it should be possible
to

untie bends after use, for rope is

a costly item that may be re-used later for another purpose. Restrict untieable knots to string, anglers' mono filaments and other such stuff, from which they can be cut off and discarded when no longer needed. Most bends are made in two separate ends of identical material but some, for example a sheet bend and the different heaving line bends, are intended for use when twO lines differ noticeably in diameter or sriffness. The lightweight binding knots that join the two ends of the same length of line (for example. parcel twine or shoe laces) are knots - as opposed
to

bends - but in more substantial

sruff bends are employed to create cargo strops and endless slings for caving and climbing.

Flemish Bend
Old seamen viewed this bend with disfavour, because it tended to [a In in na tu rD.1fibre ropes, hll t it suits svnrheric cordage. Climbers like it because it is casilv learned and readily checked hy :J. teo In lend e r.

Make
(WO

a loop i line,
!O

c end"

e of the

be

in;

ed.

,lmp.an half a r_wi~l. in rhi ... inU<ln("c leI! thumb ~oint: up and awaj (counterclockwise). ~ rha:

. anticlcckwisc

3
CI)!hl

TlI~k the workinu end


create rhe rh.lr.Jl'.'l·r r-,uc outline.

J.'"

,how

rlgUft·-!)

Jntr~)~u~'-C-he second line, with t


work, n~ end parallel
In

itoi\

arid

Follow
l he

{he lead of {he fi", keeping knot).


!O

rope .wilh of that (hi,

second,

the outside

",ll.)n~\i'dc the fir .... one.

(he first bend (evidence makes a stronger

suggests

insidc of {he second bend.

Continue
original

around

and through

{he

knot, ~r::m~fcrrln~ [he; ro

~"mpl".(" "gh'en

Ih~ ("",,.p~). knot, " a bit at a "me end and standing

(he." part

bv pulhn.~

(In each working in turn.

Double Figure-of-Eight
Thi-, k 11<'f
"

Bend

,11111 Lu III ru ncrrun 10

rhe' li,herm,ln" knot hut. unlike rhar knot, It I, brl.uernllv .11 (buth SI<.k, look the ~ner.,1 knor-, wrrh Iif:ur~·n t·", I !;ht la vout are re terred Fleml,h knot', and In .ilrcru.mve n.irne tor rh» one I~ rhe Flermsh bend, Leave rhe knob ,1 tn' mche- apart iur a knot that \I ill abcorb ;1 sudden jerk or 'Il.H..:h hy ,hdmg before It holds.
It> .,~

Ti~" _r.g~"'."f.cig,h I knor i .' "r (he 1\\"0 !lnC'~ and rnscrr the <econd lin.' through the fir" kiln"

Th"n

hC~1

I.:lgh( knor.

ru rned end-for-end,
th...:

Corn plctc 10. second

figur e-of-cighr to

k not, wh ich, when (he work is. must be identical firq one,

Pull firi' on ,he working then on both standing

ends 1<1
p.)rls, to

. rcmr» (' the- slack frf}m the individual


!

knot ....

... idc rhcm l

rogerhcr .

Linfit Knot
Thick and springy materials need an alternative to the double fisherman's (or grinner) knot, and rh is one was devised by angler Owen K. Nuttall.

Make

a bight in each 01 the two lines


4~

to be joined and lay 'hem One across shown,

Take

the working
10

end of the upper

line around

'he back or (he lower left.

rhe other

bighr from righ'

line .Jcro~ ...the from. rak ing it from lcf to rruht,

Brin~ thv working

end of the I",",,,,

PaIS (he lefrhand clockwise direction part.

working
around

end; the

lefrha nd sranding

lefthand

Tuck behind

this lefthand

working

end from the

and bring it up through

bighr,

Bring the righthand anticlockwisc the righthand

working standing

end part.

(counterclockwise)

around

Tuck t.h;' working


down through

end from in front bight. with


!O

the righrhand form.

Remove

the slack fmm thi, arrangement at right angles and the the

unfil you have a symmetrical both ends emerging standing the knot. standing completed parts

and nn the same side of

Pull on. each working


end i" rurn !O tighten k net.

50

.!
Zeppelin Bend
This is one of a family of bends comprising twO interlocked overhand knots. It is both strong and secure, and the fact that both working ends stick out at right angles to their standing parts is only a minor snag that may be somewhat unsightly but is rarely inconvenient. The American naval officer and aeronautics hero Charles Rosendahl required his massive dirigible Los Angeles to be moored with this bend - and no other - in the 1930s; and the US Navy continued to employ it for lighter-than-air ships until as recently as 1962. Rosendahl's method of tying this knot was more awkward than the one illustrated, which was devised at a later date - sometime in the 1980s - by Emick W. Thomson. Use it in anything from heavyweight cables and hawsers to the smallest of cords.

N D'

Hold the two rope, together, with their ends in the .ame direction.

Form a loop with the working end of Ih. rope that is closes[ [0 you.

Take the working end around behind both rope. and bring ;t back through its own loop.

Lift the standing pan of the other rope towards in working end.

Pass the secoDd worlcing end beneath its own standing pan an d tuck il through the loop that is formed. Pull on both wormg cods ....d standing pans to remove .... y slad!: to tiglnCII this Imol.

51

B[

os

Adjustable Bend
Use this bend with the twin knots somewhat separated. Under a moderate and steady load, they will remain apart. If a sudden extra load is exerted upon them, however, they slide and so absorb some of the strain. The knots may be tied in rope or webbing (tape). The Canadian climber Robert Chisna!! devised this bend sometime before 1982.

La y the CWolenglh. of cord par" Uel 10 each orher, Then CUm one of the rwo line. around ehe other, wrapping toward, il' near." end.

Take a second cum with the first line arou ad the second one.

Ihe workin.g. end arou.n.d.an.d. beneath bo til the wrapped line and ito own standing part.

3 p"'.'

Bring the working end back down in fron t 0 f the secoa d line, cucking it IInde r its own final CU m.

Turn the half·completed knot endfor-end and, using the second line, make an identical •• cond knol abo!'!1 S eml2 in from the fin t on e.

52

BE .....

Hunter's Bend
This young relative of the zeppelin bend is probably its equal. American Phil D. Smith devised it during the Second World War, and he simply called it a rigger's bend; but English physician Edward Hunter rediscovered it in 1978, and the worldwide publicity he achieved for the knot led to the establishment in 1982 of the International Guild of Knot 'Iyers, The tying method illustrated is the one Dr Hunter used.

Place Ihe two !ine. 10 be joi ned parallel and beside oneaeorher,

Mak. twin loops, laking car. rhat the two Iines remain. paralle],

Take the working end from Ih. from of the loops around 10 the back.

Tuck Ihis end from behind Ihrough 10 the from of both loop s,

Bring the other working end up in fr01l1 of the twO loops.

Tuck [his end through Ihe loop from fro n[ [0 back, in the op po site d irection 10 'he first end.

Begin 10 remove Ihe slack from the knee, 13 ki ngca re thaI the wo rkin g ends do nOI com. Out of the loops.

Pull each working end and standing pan, in rum, until. the knOI is fully tighlmed.

53

" E ,. l>

Surgeon's

Knot

Ohen recommended as a binding knot (perhaps wrongly, as it does yield a certain amount of slack in tightening), this makes a neat and secure bend, even in synthetic cordage. It is possible that it may once have been used in surgical sutures, hence its name. Usually seen in small cordage, it can be a worthwhile knot to use in all types of rope.

Cross the working end, of the two ro pe, 10 be io ined, in rhis instan ce Ieft ove r righ t,

Tie a half knot, noting how the two patts twine lefthaaded or antidockwisc (coenrercleckwise).

Take an extra ruck and then bring me working end, sogether again, tbi, lim e righl over le £t.

Tie a fioal half.knot, of opposite banded ness 10 me firu couple, with me twO parts twining righthanded (clockwise). To tighten the knot. firSt hold each working end wilh in adjacen t 'tanding pan; but finally ju 51 p uU on the standing pan.,. allowing me uppu half knot to twin slightly So that il overlays Ibe compleled knol diagonaUy from corner 10 corner.

54

Harness
..l", It, n.uue known unphe

Bend
rhl> knot w.

to c.irrer-

and \\'3gg"ll~r'

III the J,1\"' lIt horse-drawn good, \ <'hl.:le> 1><,,', It works <,quail\-

\\<:'11111 lc.ither

or r,mhld",

strip-,

It will .11'0 ium rnoterr.il-, drv er se

PI~l~'-'th ..",.'n~.J.,.. ~~fh .. . r:


IUlnl.:d

[Wn

'-

ord ... to be
.lnd

par.:llh.'1 HI each

IHht.:f

"'" t~~ [I ln~

....

»rd .. 10

end under

!.."Iv"''-' {Og,l.."rih.·r,

,,: other ....H1t,t.ng p.rr t. l

Rnng thi~ end around


one end

or the

to complete

knot.

4 1',,,

the other

working

end beneath

the nearby

standing

part.

Make c half hitch with Ihis end, Then pull the arrangement on opposite light, so sides of

that rhe ends <mage the knm.

Double Harness Bend with Parallel Ends


Many knot ryers prefer
symmetrical bends, which are often better looking and can be easier to learn, tie and memorize. Thi s version is also a little stronger and more secu re than the harness bend.

Place the two lines to be joined parallel and together.

Toke one working beneath the other

end down standing part.

3
56

Then

bring

this end up and back hnc.

over the other

Tuck both

the end down lines to complete

between one half

of the knot.

knot

Turn for-end

the half·completed working

knot endcrossing end. Work ends protrude

and tie an identical so that both

with the other light,

the knot together

from the same side of 'he knot.

Strop Bend
("'r' .md
'tr(lr~
or ,1m!;,

end It:

111-1\ be inter l.1c"nl

rh" II_ • Inldr cn 1(1 make ]UI1!; 111(11[1C< ,1(lUH",l ,h"lIn, of rL1)tlc b,1I1d,
1.1 rrh .1 '~rlo of theve k nutv; bur rhe ,rr('r bend c, ,11,,, bt" pur ro

h.lrJ labour

on con-rrucnun ~[lt'

.11lJ J.(l(b ard-.

Bri n,: together one up through

two hi,:hl' the other.

and ;

Dc)uhll:' (hI..:' w.)rklng. back UP"" ",df.

hlg,ht of the two

rhc ~I:..::n.nd;}r~ loop.

3 ri,~

up Ihe "~ndjn~ part' "f !h"


loop ro draw them through

working

Pull rhc r cma I nder


1(lc)p

or

cnmplcr

.... th ruuuh ·1~

rhc ,.. urk. ,I t't.,lf.

rhc «rh... -r

1:k~1
{IPPtl'I(1,.

Continue

until the twu bi~h[ ... .lft:'

.... nug! ~ , ntcrlo cked with one anot her

T;~hlen ~~. pulling '~nbOlh p~", loop It:g;. Jt once. \\ hile th l~ krnu ~h::-.
.1

."r

rc-crn

r cef

[;.quJ.n:) k not

In

I,J~ OL.H
11

•he J~narrucs arc ~cr~ di Herem . and wrl], of course.

onl~ come undon..... un~ if

of I h",: I t

Io!'~

breaks.

Blood Knot with Inward Coil


This is one of the several classic angling knots that, because of their numerous compact wrapping turns, are collectively known as blood or barrel-shaped knots. Numerous wrapping turns make this knot both strong and secure. It is primarily used by anglers. who tie it in their fine lines, but it can prove equally useful, tied in thicker cordage, out of water.

Bring rwo lin ~5, facing in opp osite di recti ens, dose together, and Ia y 'hem para II el,

With one of rhe working ends, begin to apply wrapping rums.

The first wrap should go around the fron t a nd then down the back of both lines.

Ensure thax the fir<1wrapping rurn encloses bOlh of the line, to b. joined so as 10 !rap its own standing pan.

Try to make each wrapping rum lie SIIIl gl y and lighd y bes ide the previous One.

Complete five or six rums, then tuck and Irap the working end berween both lines.

With the other working end, begin the wrapping process again.

Repeat the previous "eps, wrapping in towards rhe middle of the e mergingkn 01.

FinaUy ruCk. the ,.,on.d working end down through the centre of the knol (in the opposite directi.on 10 the other end). Mould ~U of the turns tighl, from th. outside in, and th en p uU On Ih. two ends 10 remove aa y slack.

59

ll, END

Carrick Bend with Ends Opposed


This knot name dates from the l Brh century, but its actual origin is obscure. At Carrick-on-Suir in Ireland, the Elizabethan plasrerwork of Ormonde Castle is embellished with numerous carrick bends moulded in relief, while a "carrack" was a rype of medieval trading ship, from which perhaps comes Carrick Road outside Falmouth Harbour in Cornwall. Recommended for large hawsers and cables, this bend has acquired a reputation for strength, when it actually reduces the breaking strength of the ropes to about 65 per cent. Nevertheless, given today's strong synthetic cordages, it is still a considerable heavyweight among bends. It is said to be more secure if itis tied in such a way that the working ends emerge on opposite sides of the knot.

Mah. I""p with the working end of On, of the two line, to b. joined lying (i n this instance) over its OWn ,tanding port.

Place the second line over the initi31 loop, in the direction shown, and pass the working end beneath the other standing part.

Begin a second loop, taking the second working end over the first working end.

Wilh the second end, make a locking ruck that goes under-over-under to complete the knot, Pull on the two standing parts to righten the knot, when the flat heraldic outline will capsire into 3 compact and differelll form.

60

Carrick Bend with Ends Adjacent


With the ends on the same side of the knot, the carrick bend becomes the heraldic device once known as the Wake knot, the badge of the Saxon leader Hereward the Wake who in 1071 AD revolted against William the Conqueror. The late Desmond Mandeville, who researched the relationships of bends for more than 25 years, discovered there was one knot to which all were related and to which every family tree he drew returned - this one. Use this knot for decorative purposes, retaining the flat and open layout. It can look most attractive when used as a curtain tie-back, to secure a dressing gown cord, or even on an antique chaise longue.

lay the working


line beneath

end of the second


loop. poinring

the initial

in the direction

shown,

Bn.ing the second


I he

working en d.

end Over

orher working

Begin a second loop b¥ taking the second new working end under the other standing pan.

half of the kn 01.

U nder-ov

M.a.k. a locking mek that goe, overer 10 Seco re Ihe lefthand

Unlike the end,. opposed version. keep this knot flat and open.

8 ~ NOS

Vice Versa
Some intractable materials - such as wet and slimy leather thongs or bungee (elastic) shock cord - are difficult to keep in place and slither out of other bends. They can, however, be tamed with this relatively new knot from the fertile mind of Harry Asher, first published in 1989. The extra security can only be achieved with the additional tucks and rums that are features of this knot.

Lay the two lines to be ioined parallel and together.

Take the righthand working end and bring it beneath the ether standing part.

Pass the end over the other line and then ruck il beneath ilself.

Take the other working end 10 the left, Over the first of the two lines.

Bring the second working end back beneath the other line and up past the &onl of the knot (with no ruck).

Cross the righthand end over the lefthand end and ruck il through the lefthand loop alongside its own standing put. Similarly, take hold of whal has become the righlhand end.

Finally, ruck the remaining working end through the righthand loop alongside its own standing part. Ge:ndy pull on all four of Ihe emerging lines al once 10 securely tighten this knot.

62

Sheet Bend
This knot is neither strong nor the strength of lines br 55 per cent, and ca n spill if subject to spasmodic jerking. This said, it is part of every knot ryers basic repertoire. When it attaches 0 lanyard to a loop i r rna r be refe rred to as a hecker hitch, and, tied (by a different method) in rams, it is called the weavers knot.
secu re. It reduces

Create

~ bight in the end "

the ropcc In be lied.

Take

the second the bight.

rope and. tuck it up

through

Pas> the working the bight,

end beneath

Tuck

.th< working

end beneath

itself end,

in such J W3)' that both short on the same side of the

are located

completed knot (with many materials, ir seems 10 be more secure this way).

64

Double Sheet Bend


If the two lines are of dissimilar size or sri ffnes.s, make the bight in the bigger or tougher one, and tie this double sheet bend to counteract any tendency for it to straighten and so spill the knot. There is no need for a third tuck. If thi s knot is insufficient, try the racking bend.

Make rope,

a bighl in rhe larger of the CWo to be joined.

Take

Ih. second

of the Iines and

lUck it up through

the bight.

Bring Ihe end arou nd and benea Ih the bighl in the other rope.

Tuck
'0

the working end beneath i"elf rha I bOI h short ends are Ioca led
it is more secure this way).

Bring the working beneath

end around keeping pass. it

and

the bight and it, own


(0

on the same side of the knot (with many material,

$landing

line once again,

the right of the original

Finally, aloagside

tuck the end through Ihe initial tuck 10 complete knot,

the double

One-Way Sheet Bend


When a sheer bend
• he dragged ()h~t rucrio
(JIl
1]"

1, likel)"
short

to

ora or through

the

two

e nds

In

by' means of til IS .idaprion, U~~ this simple but effectl"" modi tication for rope, rhar men' lot' towed in w,
ht' srr e.uniincd pel'>'eJ through -x posed
to

M a kc a hig,hl with (h~ work ing end ol one: of th'l:'


(\\·0

ropes to he joined.

T_akc th_c end of the orhe ,,,pe and tuckjt up through the high I,

a rocky

crevrce

or

gJ le- force

II·inus,

TIl<;"three, d Irccnonm
helng he pulled

horr e nth vhoul d.


a II'a:' rrorn the

ot

pnmr pullcdvo

wh I( h the knot

I,

rh.ir thL) will not

hy the curr enr or catch


ruckv.

();';L ...... I h!,.,work

mg

end

round

and rope.

beneath

the hight rn the "the,

Tuck rhe end beneath i«elf so bOlh


short end, arc on the same side.

Then

bring

the working

end a,,o,u_nd
3

and back

00

i "cI f "~~i '" make n

figurc-"f-.i~ht.

two pans of the other carcfullv

Finallv, ruck the end hcnea rh ;tvcl f


(~, shown) and lav ir alongside rope _ T;gh ten bed the

'" that .11 the knot parts

down <rough- ",~c[h"r,

Heaving
This quick and simple .irr.iche .. .l lighrweighr

Line Bend
knot throwing

lme (or ..messenger ") to rhe bight or eve of a he J vie r hawse r that I~
to be hauled into position. It
We

tirsr mennuned m a seamanship rn.inual of 1912.

Make

a bightin

the hawser

thar has

to be hauled,

3
0"'"

Divert the w~r~ing end ro one sid" [the lef, on this instance}, raking " and beneath part. the standing pari "

Take the working short

end beneath

the

kIt of the bight.

Bring ,11<working
kfth~nd

end back

'0

rhe

side of the knot,

rucking

it

around

r.,,~lh' beneath rhefinished of the completed

it,dl as shown,
knot,

Nl>lc that

the bight and then bringing >landing

;t over its

shot shows

rhe reverse side

Racking Bend
R3..:k ing i~the rer m for figu re-ef<,ighr interweaving. such as in rhis in stan ce, where a sma II d iarnere r messenger line seizes the bight of ~ much thicker rope. The purpose is to se ize and gri p t he Iiirger rope so that irs high r rerna ius dosed a n d does nor spri ng apa rr. It IS fur hea vi e r d uries t ha n t hose
II

lines ro be temporarily linked and bring the' ...rna llcr one On'T ir,

Makea

nigh! in the larger o] the

""0

Divert the working, end U) One .. .idc, tucking it under one lo~ of rhe bil,lh'-

nderraken

bends, nut ,(31..,

n~the varrous sheet 1, a relative thing.

It on he' lI'ed to 10111rnassive .1hlt'·l.uJ ()rd.)ge abuard oce, gOing ,llIp' hut It could ,11,>u he applied III tine rwrne-, to a model g.llll"(lil m.idc [rom rn.mhvnck-,

10

flrin, ~ the' """kln,1; ,'n,d, back aero" the other ... dt,. ~oini! u ... then ~ -cr,

tuck m~ u ndcr the hi~h r.

T3ke the working end back across the bigh!, going over, then feed it back under again.

Continue
along

this racking

prO'CSI

~,

far

the neck of the bight a, keep i( l{)!:1elh~r_

nC;("C":;';:;Jr:- 10

beneath

Finally, luck rhc working end nne of the racking turn,


The completed
J

a,

sh"wn, tightened

knot

must be the

turn J! J rime towards

end of rhc night.

68

Seizing Bend
This has all the qualities required of a heaving line bend, namely strength, security and ease of untying. A comparative newcomer on the knotting scene, it was devised and publicized by Harry Asher in 1986.

Make a bighl in thelargn of lb. two line, 10 b. temporarily joined and ruck the end of Ihe lighler lin. up through il.

Take a rum with Ihe working end of Ih. lin. "found ehe end of the bight,

,;~

_"

" "'+J·f.~,\~"'i

Diven the wOd.'.in·.g .. d 10 o.n. side en of the bighl and begin 10 wr~p il.

Ensu.elhallh. IirsllUm Iraps its preceding 'landing part.

Wrap neatly and snugly towards the end of the bight.

Now loosen the initial [Urn and draw oul a. loop from il.

Pass Ih. loop over the iD.n ead of the biBb t and pull it tighl, so thai il holds all of the wrapping roms and traps the working end of the .knOI. For real securiry, leave a longer cod than. show .. in the lighter line and fane .. it (0 its own slanding pan with a bowlin.c.

69

END

Albright Special
This tried-and-tested knot is used by numerous anglers to join monofilament to braid, or braid to wire. It is shown here using much thicker cordage than would normally be used. Its first appearance in prim was in 1975, but later publications sometimes refer to it as the Allbright Special, so there is some uncertainty as to the correct spelling of the originator's name.

Make a bight in the larger of the rwo lines to be joined.

Bring the second line over and parallel with the initial bight.

Diven the working end 10 one side (in this instance the righrhand), preparatory ro making wrapping turns. Begin the wrapping turns by taking the working end over one side of the hight and back beneath both bight legs.

Take the working end back over the top of the bight, trapping its preceding standing part in tbe process.

Continue 10 wrap over and down beneath the bight legs again.

6
70

T.ake a second full wrapping 111m neatly alongside the firsl One.

Com plete as man y turn s as nece !Sary for a seCII e and stable knot. r

Finally, ruck ehe working end down Ihrougb the original bight.

.& l:

NO

Simple Simon Over


This knot (and twO variations of it) were devised by Harry Asher and published in 1989. It is especially effective in slick synthetic lines and, once mastered, it can be tied easily. It has rarely appeared in pri nt, bu t it merits being more widely known as it is a. useful knot to have at one's fingertips when faced with eying slippery, synthetic lines.

Make a bight in one of the two lines beioined and bring the working end of Ih. other line over it,
(0

Tuck the working end down through the bighl and bring it out to the left (in this instance), then take it over both bight legs and, in a snaking ..Z" track, back aga in b. neal h them.

Lay the end back over its preceding pari (the "over" of the knot name).

from Ihe.ouuide of Ihe bighl, ruck the working end up and through and finally lay il along' ide in own 'landing pari. Tighten gradually, working the slack out of Ihe completed knot.

72

Simple Simon Under


This is a variation of the simple Simon over knot by Harry Asher. Although on first appearance, it does not look unlike the simple Simon over, it is more secure and can cope with dissimilar cord sizes and textures. This is an extremely useful knot that deserves more recognition as it is useful for slippery synthetic cord and should be used on a wider scale than it is at present.

Make
[0

a bight in One of [he two lines and bring [he working line over il.

b. joined

T lick [he working [h. bight and divert prior


'(0

end down it
HI

through
(I\'C'f

the left (in

end of [he other

this instance)

~()'ng back

both hight les,.

Bring the working its preceding

end back beneath pan (rhe "under"

both bight leg' and [hen tuck i[

beneath

of [he knot name).

4
pan.

From the outside lb. working Tighten

of the bight,

tuck and the

end up through working knot.

finally lay il alongside gradually,

its own standing

slack out of Ihe completed

BEN

Simple Simon Double


This is a variation of the simple Simon knots of Harry Asher; it is even more secure and has the advantage that it can cope with a greater dissimilarity of cord sizes and textures.

working end of rhe other line over ir.

M. ".ke a bigh.l.in rhe latger of the two line, 10 be jomed and bring rhe

Divert the working end (in rhi, raking ir 10 rhe left) beneath the bighr.
instance

Wrap

the end over and then beneath

both bight leg'.

Take

the working

end back again

so that ir lie, over borh legs of

the bight.

p. a." the .working end do.wn b.eneath the bighl OVer irs own preceding sta nd ing pari.

Carry. the end aCr055 the fronr of rhe highl over ii, Own standing part.

From the ouuide of the bighl, finally ruck Ihe working end through alongside iu own standing pan. Pull the knot snug and right, taking care not to dist.ort il in the process.

74

Shake Hands
This excellent knot is almost unknown, yet it is one of the best bends, being not only secure but also easily loosened and untied, and neat in appearance with the ends alongside the standing parts. Harry Asher devised it, influenced - admittedly - by Clifford Ashley's 1944 description of a similar layout as a loop knot.

Make a loop wim one working end going over il' own sUluling pan.

Pas.s the oma working end up wough tbe initial loop and make a second loop (me end going und er the sunding pan).

T alee the. fir 1 WO.kin.g e. d h. ack .....• r. n down behind both of the loops in Ihe developing knOI.

Bring lb. firsl working end up throagh the common central .pace between both loops.

Now bring me lim working end down in &onl of bom I.oop'.

Then ruck the second working end down through lhe co.mmon central space berwun both of the loops.

PuU 0.0 hot.b.working ends and sundiJlgparu in rum 10 tighlen thelmol.

75

BEN

Tumbling Thief Knot, Centre-tucked


This chunky knot, with both ends centrally nipped, is a good reason [0 learn the unreliable common thief knot described below.

Make a bight in one of the rwo lines be joined. Bring the working end of the other line up through the bight and then divert it to the side of the bight where it< short end is located.
10

Bring the working end down beneath both legs of the bight, and tuck the end back through the initial bight alongside its own standing pan. This is the common thid knot.

Now begin 10 pull each of the working ends across to the opposite side of the knot,

Uncross the working cords 10 momentarily assume the loosely locked layout shown.

eross the rwo working ends over precisely as shown. This is the IU mb Iins Ihief. a rela rivel y SeC ure form of the thief knot if drawn lighl.

Take the upper working end and ruck it directly down through the common central space of the existing knot.

Take the lower working end and tuck it up through the common central space. Pull On each one of the four cords in turn to tighten Ihis knot.

76

Alpine Butterfly
Cutting {he loop oif an Alpine burtertlv knot produces this bend. Indeed, a lot uf loop knots em he converted to useful bends this , and knot rvers who have sported and reported rh is pnnciple include Brion Toss, Desmond Mandeville and Harry Asher. Tie it directly to bend together tWO lines.

Bend

form

an underhand
(0

loop with one 01

the rwo ends

be joined.

Form a similar

underhand

loop wrtb
II

the other end. mterl .. (kln~

wuh

the fir~[ loop ...1'0 shown.

Take euher

on~ of the two working through borh loops, rhe


10

ends and ruck it down space common

central

Then luck the other working


down beside completed knot.

end

the firs' end. through

the almost

slack and tighten the knot.

Pull gently on both working rhen on the standing parts,

ends.
10

remove

Bowline Bend
In wet natu ra I fibre ropes at sea, when even simple knots could be relied upon to hold, it was recommended that hawsers should be ioined with a pair of interlocked bowlines, and that still holds good ~ literallyin some of rcday's cordage. The advantage of the bowline is that it dues not slip or lam even under tension. This bend can be used for line, of dissi m i lar diameters, con 51 rucri om an d rnareri 0 Is, but rhe two loops may be weakened "her", their interlinked elbows no" .mJ rub agamsr on", another.
Tuck The working end down through the loop and pull the working end '0 tighten the knot. Make the initial overhand loop that will cinch the completed knot and tuck the working end up through it,

Pars the working end around behind 'he standmg part of the line.

Make an overhand loop with a second line and tuck the working end through the first b owlin e,

Pus the working end up through the second loop and under the standing part of the line.

T uck this working end down through the second loop and pun rhe working end to tighten the knot.

78

Twin Bowline Bend


This alrernative to the bowline bend avoids the sharp elbows of the latter knot and is stronger for that reason as it avoids the risk of chafing and rubbing.

Arrange the two lin es parallel, wilh Ihe working en ds opposed.

Form Ihe loop Ihal is chara<leri"ic of bowlines in the stand ing part 01 one of the lines, as shown.

Tuck the other working end up through the loop and pass it around Ihe back of the standing part,

Tuck the end downtbrough Ihe loop 10 complete the finl bowline,

Tum the half-completed kno. endlor-end and begin again with an identical loop.

Tuck th.e eed down through the loop 10 complele !he second bowline, CIlsuring thai the working end, are al leasl as 10Rgas those illustrated (and pre.ferably longer). The su.nding parts will cac:h take aD equal p:ut of Ih.e Strain upon the loaded bol.

79

HITCHES
"Hitches are employed in making fast to such things as a pile, bitt, spar, rail, ring or hook, and no one hitch will suffice for all ."
(HERVEY THE ARTS GIIRRETT OF THE
SMITH -

SAILOR,

1953)

A line is said to be "made fast" (not "hitched") to various objects, even another rope, and only the knot itself is called a hitch. Some hitches work best with a direct pull at right angles the point of attachment;
[0

others will withstand

a sideways or varying direction of pull; it is a rare and remarkable hitch indeed that can cope with a pull towards the point of a tapering foundation - but one is included in this sect jon. The fisherman's or anchor bend and the gaff topsail halyard bend are actually hitches and so are included within this section. Their irregular names are due to old-time sailormen who, obeying a verbal quirk, always spoke of "bending" a line to a ring or spar. The ossel knot is also a hitch, but it is known as a knot since there is already an osse! hitch.

Pedigree

Cow Hitch
4.~
Th is is a usefu I knot for a pu II {hat is more or less at right angles to the point of attachment. Put ir to work to start lashings or to suspend garden shed and garage impedimenta from the roof.

Take the working end around and down. from front to back of the anchorage point.

Bring the end around in front of iu own standing part.

T ake the end back up behind the foundation and bring it down in fronr once again.

Tuck the end through the bight. the result being a fairly useless common cow hitch.

Now tuck the working end back through the basic knot to secure and transform it.

82

HITCHES

Cow Hitch Variant


This is an even stronger and more secure version than the pedigree cow hitch. Although similar to the pedigree cow hitch, which was an innovation from the fresh mind of Harry Asher, the cow hitch variant was published in 1995 by Robert Pont of France, who first spotted it in Quebec and named it the Piwich knot after the child (Piwich Kusr of the Bois Brule tribe) who tied it. Use it as a bag knot, or to suspend lockets. amulets and similar items of jewellery from a neck lanyard.

Take Ibe working end once around the poiol 0 f allachmcni.

Make a single hall hi" .. witb the working end around the line's sunding pan.

Take the working end ~(fOSS Ihe fro"l and pus it up (in Ihis inseance, 10 the left) beb.ind the ancborage point ..

Bring the working end down in &ont and ruck it down beside the Slanding pan of the line, taking ir through the cnd05ing rum.

83

HIT

C'"

t 5:

Figure-of-Eight
A trivial hold fast for the odd undemanding job, this hitch is releatively simple and easy to master. The extra crossing point gives a bit more friction and hold than a single half hitch. It is more secure than a single half hitch, especially around an object with a small diameter, and could, of course, be used with a round turn, but always treat it with caution as it does not have the strength of many other hitches.

Hitch

Pass the working end of the line around the anchorage point from from 10 back.

Bring the end forward and across the standing pari (in this instance, from righl 10 len).

Take the end (in this instance, from le ft to right] arou nd the back of the standing pan.

4
84

Tuck the end up through the loop create the ch araCierisric ligu re-o feight layout.

10

Buntline Hitch
In effect, this is two half hitches with the second one inside the first, the working end being trapped against whatever if is tied around. This knot is for situations where the line flaps about with a tendency to shake less secure knots loose (for example. running rigging and flag halyards). A bundine was used to brail up square-sails, which flogged unmercifully, and so a very secure knot was needed. Tied in flat material, it turns out to be the common four-in-hand necktie knot that around 1860 superseded bowries for men.
Pass Ihe workjng end through or around Ihe anchorage poinl from fronl 10 back.

Take the rod aero ss the front and bring it around the back in a figure of eight layout.

Pass the end completely across the loop that has bun formed.

Connnue

to take the end around

10

the back of the arrangement.

Tuck the working end through from baclc:to &Oot, a5 shown, rhus forming cwo half hitches.

85

HITC,HIES

Clove Hitch, Tied


The ease with which this knot can be tied makes it a popular one, but it comes adrift if pulled and jerked about. Then again, it can also jam, so consider adding a drawloop. Use it to suspend objects by means of lanyards or to secure a light boar TO a bollard. Ashore, this knot was once known as a builder's knot.

In

a Bight

Make an overhand loop a' any coev en icllt poi nt in ,he 1ine.

Add an underhand loop further along 'he line, So that the pair consists of rNO opposing halves.

Arrange Ibe two loops so that Ihey are the same size and dose together.

Rotate the rwo loops a liltle in opposite directi am, in order 10 overlap them,

lnserr the rail, spar, rope or other foundation through b nth loop, 3JI d pu II ei rher or both ends 10 tigh ten the resu lting hitch.

86

Clove Hitch, Tied with a Working End


When this knot can be neither dropped over a bollard or stanchion nor slipped on to the end of a rail, or it is to be fastened to a ring, it must he Tied this war·

Pass the working anchorage poinr

end •• ound

rbe

from front to back.

Bring the end [orward diagonally

and from ngh:

up acrovs the f,,,n.' "I the

standing to left).

part (in thi!io instance

T ake

,ne working
pa rt.

end down

the to trap

back 01 the anchorage,

'0 a,

the standing

Then

tuck the end lip beneath [forming what

the

diagonal

looks like

a leiter N, or its mirror-image),

5
pan

Use a drawloop to tighten

if an

"3S~'

quick-

release is required. the knot.

Pull the standing

HIT'

C HE.:§'

Ground

Line Hitch
This is a simple and easily tied knot to hitch a thin cord on to a thicker one. It is a tried and [rusted hitch that has been used by cod fishermen on their trawl nets and as a picket line hitch by horse soldiers and wilderness pioneers. It can be used in the end of a coil of line ro keep it all rogethe r, and is suitable for all kind, of cordage or other pliable materials. Add a drawloop for quick release, provided the knot is only intended to hold inanimate objects and the pull is a steady une,

Pa«

the working

end around

the

foundation

from from to back.

B.ring. the cnd.forwar.d again (in this instance, 1(1 the left of in own part).

s,anding

Take

the working

end up and the front of

diagonally

3"'0.'

Pass the working the foundation

end down to emerge

behind pari.

at the front

the work.

and to Ihe righl of the sranding

Pull up the standing upper bight,

part 10 create

an

T.lick the working cnd.'.hr.ouSh the newly created bigh. and then pun in g part 10 trap iI.

dow n on rhe "and

Highwayman's
hrldrcn Ilk,,· ro

Hitch

"tt rhr-, lurch, bl'~, .ipp.rr cnt ";,,mrk


IlI'rhms with pllc' ruS Oil (he' <horr end, ll,~r .1' ,1 rill n.l h.ind for I

h:1Tl,11l1 or k •• 1' " ,·11 .1' ro moor of rcrh ~r .1 bo.ir or 11<> There I~ no rw. '.1><'11 (0 bc·Il<·vc· rh,rr hlShw.
IlWI1 ~\

cr .10.;[11.111:

u>ed rh I~ k nor.

j\·1Jlil..: ~\ h.~h~

nne end n

l,..·urJ or other hnc an

2
IIh.'

Pi_~k ~p.hl.:'
.1nJ 1l1.1k .... ·

...t,

[rout nf rhv r.HI.

down

Tu,'k rhe second back through on the \..-orking

l>i~h' from fmnt end


[0

tn

(he firs' one, then pull vcrur c it.

.\bkc

end (,hi,

,,·,und highl in 'h"." "'kin~ i, the rhrrd bight in '0>(,,1)_

5
In

Tuck

,h"

rhird h,~ht from Iron I (0


[~f'l1I.: •• J w

back dU{lu~h the '!ol;,ond pull down on and release.


(Iill,; ~

fin~lh loaded:
l}UI':~

tn"

standing

p art

secure u. The fio.J1 bi~hr mav be fH-L:ing_ end rugg('d lor

Rolling Hitch
An elaboration of the dove hitch, this is intended to cope with a lengthwise pull. The 1"\",0 diagonal riding turns mUST go on the side of the object from which the pull will be applied.

f>a" ,he working end around the anrhnragc from front to back.

Take rhe end up and diagonally aero" the (ront of the standing part.

Bring the working end down behind the work once more, bringing it out to emerge between the diagonal and the Handing pari.

Create a second diagonal turn. snugly beside the first on. (and closest to the standing part). before passing rbe end down behind the work Once more.

Tuck Ihe working cnd up beneath the 13" diagonal rum only and lever illight.

Ossel Hitch
"Ossel" is a Scottish sea fisherman's word (Cornish: "orsel") for ;.'I gill net. These knots secured the submerged lower ends of ossel lines that supported the nets ;.'IS they were towed through choppy seas behind the fishing vessels known as drifters. Subjected to continual underwater movement, this seemingly simple knot coped with it all. It is a super little hitch.

the front.

Bring 'he wOlrkin;: end down behind the [oundation "'pe and around
10

Po"

the end up and around


10

the hock

. of [he st3ndin~ r'i~h,),

part (in rh I -, i nvtancc,

from Id,

Take the working end down the front of rhe fOlundatiOln rope and ,hen bring it back up behind the work.

4 FinaU

y, til ck Ihe end Olver th

fif'1

knot pan and Ihen beneath

the

second (as shown).

Ossel Knot
At the upper end of ossel ropes was this more secure knot which, in contrast to the submerged ossel hitch, had to resist being bashed about on the surface of rough seas.

Pass the work.ing (n.d up 3lth.e front, Ih(n over a nd down behin d t h. fo und arion TO pe.

Bring the end up and diagonally across in front of [he standing pan and Pu[ it down behind [h. work.

Bring the working end up along'ide the first wrapping turn and rake it up for a second, diagonal wrapping turn,

Srarnng on the same side of the Handing part, complete th. second diagonal, so that il lie, snugly beside the first One.

Wrap the working end up in frOnl of th e foundation rope once more, this time on Ihe far side of the standing part from the two diagonal turns.

Pull out II 100se bight in Ihe standing PUI where il passes over the fou nd a rion rope.

Tuck the working end Ihrough the bighl from front to b~ck. Trap il by pulling down on the $landing pan.

92

Gaff Topsail Halyard


..1..10:-,:. -Jup-, ,>lkd ropt' .1' '.11 b.
k nor n·"!..:""
'.1 'pray. However, rhl' ·,\<1111': name ,111":,' this knot KW;III1' hrrch, an oddrtv that comes [rom

Bend

even

rhe n.l me "f til"

blu-rcrmg -rurrn-,

I,

I,

the i.KI rhar sailors, OJ"surne unwrrrre n rule, alwavs ralked of ..he 11 J mg" to pes to ri ng> or spar,. lr " sutficrcnrly secure under a sre.idv pull at right angle, to the pornr of attachment.

T akc the \\'<)rkin~ end of (~" r opc or the rail or 'par g u down in Iront.

other Ime up behind

~Hld I hen bn

2
l

p,,-, the end. up behind anchorage

the

once .1g:lin. cornplering

Brin~'he once more,

working making
j"

end. down
.1

in front part.

full round turn.

Finallv ruck the end up (in this from left of the round
III

_ instance

right) beneath

(urn.

and rake it behind

own standing

both pam

turn.

Vibration-proof
The American physicist Arnorv

Hitch
diameter. Vibration of the standing parr will only tighten further due to the ratchet-like operation of the knot parts. it

Bloch Lovins invented this knot over 10 years ago. It is designed f" r an 3 nchorage of large

P."

the working and down

end of 'he cor d up, the Inundation (in rh is pa rr.

around

[r om front diasunaliy stance]

'" back. then ra kc ir up and '" 'he righ' beneath its own standing

Take the end once more up. over


and down hchind the foundation.

Takc

the end aero" diagonal (from

'he from of rhc the left ro righr),

<landing

pan then rhrough

underlying

4
94

Go over the overlaying again.

knot pan the upon

and finally luck rhe end. beneath Pull intermittently par! to tighten this knor.

diagonal

the sranding

HITCH[S

Snuggle

Hitch
This relatively new knot, which came to notice in 1987, was created by Owen K. Nunan of West Yorkshire, England. Extra rucks and rums yield added security to withstand a variable pull in even synthetic cordage.

Take a rum with Ihe working end and then leave il diagonally up and aero" the front of Ihe slanding part,

hss rhe end down the back of the anchorage and bring il up at rhe fronl again.

Lead the working end across in fron! of the standing part {O ruck it under ilS own previous pass.

Take the working end down behind the anchorage once again,

Lead the end over one knot parI and flick it beneath the ne xr.

9S

Boom Hitch
This attractive and robust hitch, described by Clifford Ashley in 1944, is quickly and easily tied with consecutive wrapping rums, and just a final single tuck to secure it. It really would, as the name suggests, cope with the variable direction and strength of pull involved as an improvised main sheet on a sailing dinghy, and it works equally well whether wet or dry.

Lay the working

end diagonally poim.

up

and across (in this instance,

from lefr

to right] ehe anchorage

forward

Take

the end down and bring again.

behind

the

anchorage

it under and

from ri gh I to left.

Lead the wo,'rking, .end d,ia.g, najly o and across its own standing part

up

Take

the end down and bring

again behind

the

anchorage

it forward.

Make

a diagonal

pass with the

work in g end up and acros s from left

to right over the intervening

knot pan.

10 emerge

Pass the end down between al rhe fronr.

behind

the work knot pans,

the two exisnng

Take

the end diagonally

up from end

right 10 lef, Over the <landing

and one knot part.

Pass the working

end down emerge

behind

the anchorage

10

at thefront

once again.

going over one knot parr and tucking

Make a final diagonal


working

pas, w;lh the


[0

end up from left

.-ight,

ben ealh Ihe next. M ake snu g an d righ [.

Hr"(CH£5

Timber Hitch / Killick Hitch


The timber hitch is used by logging contractors to haul felled tree trunks from the undergrowth to the nearest transportation, although it will retrieve and drag all sorts of inanimate objects over rough terrain or through water. For long and thin loads, such as scaffold poles or grounded f1agmasts,an added half hitch (converting the initial timber hitch to a killick hitch) keeps them moving in a straight line. Because a "killick" was the naval name for a light anchor, rock or anything else that might hold a small boat on the sea or riverbed, a killick hitch was originally a rough-and-ready attachment for a boat, mooring buoy or even a lobster pot.

Pas. rhe working end of a line up around the object 10 b. lowed and bring it IQ .he from.

Take the end around ;15 QWn SIandi ng parr a nd make a sm all 10 op.

Tuck Ihe working end through between the standing end and itself.

Bring the end around and repeal s.eps 2 - 3 10 make a ~imilar 5econd lUck between the stan dingend and ilself.

Ccmplete Ihe seccnd ruck (adding ~ third an d 'QU [I h if Ihe diameler of Ihe load and the cordage require lbe extra frictio n). ImpmYi.;ng a sliding nOOSe in Ihis way is known 35 ~ doggin,~.

Pull on the standing end 10 tighlen the newly formed noose around the load. This is the bas;c timber hilch.

98

\13k.

hal f-hitch

with the workr

end to convert

a timber hitch Into

k,ll,,:!; hrtch.

Locate

the half-hitch

awav from the a metre (about on the scale

rnirial knot - perhaps or more, depending iob (0

J ~ ard)

"r the

.nsur.

a pull along the

length of rhe load.

99

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