Page 109 - Knack Knots You Need

CarrICK Bend

A knot used for joining two large lines securely.

The carrick bend creates a very stable knot when tied cor- be a carrick bend, but it falls apart under pressure. Because
rectly, even when the material in the two lines differs, such of this, some knot enthusiasts refer to this knot as the true
as synthetics and natural fibers. But this knot is often tied carrick bend. This knot has been known and often used
incorrectly by beginning knot tyers who weave the sec- by mariners for at least one thousand years. It appeared in
ond working end inappropriately through the first rope’s print for the first time in a book of nautical terms, Vocabu-
loop. The wrongly tied knot appears, on casual glance, to laire des Termes de Marine, published in France in 1783.

Carrick Bend: Step 1 Carrick Bend: Step 2

KnOtS YOU need: BOat KnOtS

Make a loop in the working end of the first Lay the working end of the second line across
line. the first loop, as shown in the photograph.

Red light
The carrick bend is mistakenly considered by many
a strong knot. It actually reduces the strength of the
lines by 30 percent or more.

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