Page 86 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

So in the crowded theater, with the aid of my the-tree method of tying a Bowline (mercifully
bewildered friend, I practiced the method. Quietly. not shown here) that many of us learned. Clumsy
In years to come, in more appropriate circumstances, and slow. How can we call the Bowline the King of
it would prove itself as the best technique for putting Knots and then make it in a manner that can only
a Bowline into heavy or stiff line. And I could always be described as low-class? And it’s not as if there’s
say, “Here’s one Paul Newman showed me.” only one alternative to the rabbit version.

Newman Bowline Spilled-Hitch Bowline
It’s an ingenious knot, even an elegant one (see When the line is neither bulky nor stiff, its flexibility
Figure 3-20). Look how that sweeping judo move will make the Newman Bowline difficult to execute.
throws a turn into the line. True, at one point you No matter, the Bowline earned its royal sobriquet
do let go, but with a little practice, it doesn’t look as not only for its strength, security, and ease of unty-
though you do. ing—other knots possess those virtues—but also for
Compare that one continuous motion with the its versatility. So we have a second alternative (Fig-
rabbit-comes-out-of-the-hole-and-runs-around- ure 3-21), which starts out as an innocent-looking
Half Hitch made with the end around the stand-
Figure 3-20. Newman Bowline. Pass the end of the ing part. A little push and pull spills the hitch into
line around a post and hold the standing part in the standing part, the end is tucked, and suddenly
one hand, the end in the other. Reach across the you’re done. Basically, it is a less flashy version of
standing part with your end hand (with the end the Newman method and, like it, is easier in every
pointing toward the post), and then pivot your instance than the usual practice of forming a bight
hand under the standing part and back toward with your hand and threading your way through it.
you. There should now be a loop around your wrist.
Pass the end under the standing part and let go of Fingertip Bowline
the end momentarily to reach over and grab it from Still another variation is used to make a Bowline
the other side. Finally, pull it and your hand out of freehand (Figure 3-22); there’s no piling, cleat, or
the loop to form the knot. such to brace against, such as the previous knots

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