Page 34 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

constrictee—tie Constrictors in the bight (Figures
1-15 and 1-16), a faster method.
Bear in mind that the Double does not draw
up as easily as the single; work out as much slack
as you can before pulling on the ends. And be sure
none of the turns are twisted. The best way to
tighten a Constrictor is to hitch a spike, stick, or
the like to each end. Pull. With heavy nylon twine
you can exert even more force by bracing one stick
between your feet and holding the other with your
hands (Figure 1-17). Make a wish. For extremely
tight Constrictors made with rope for large jobs
(splinting a broken boom, for instance), position Figure 1-16B. Tying the Double Constrictor using
the constrictee between two sheet winches and a Clove Hitch with the lower end on the inside.
crank away. No matter what the scale or tension,
always arrange the knot so that its Overhand Knot
portion lies over a convex surface, or on a corner of
a flat-surfaced item.

Turk’s Head from
Single Constrictor

Moving aside from strict utility for the moment,
try making the circular braid known as a Turk’s
Head from a Single Constrictor. When doubled or
tripled, this knot makes a decorative ring for ditty
bags, bellropes, bottles, wrists, oars, etc.
To turn a Single Constrictor into a Turk’s Head,
arrange the knot around your left-hand fingers
and open it up as shown. Pass the upper end down
behind your fingers, up on the left side of the
standing part, then pass it under, over, and under
as shown, tucking up and to the right. Double and
triple the knot by leading the end back into the
knot, parallel with the standing part. A four-lead,
three-bight knot results.

Figure 1-17. For very tight Constrictors, seat yourself
on deck and hitch a spike (or functional substitute)
onto each end of the twine. Brace one spike between
your feet and hold the other in your hands. Pull.

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