Page 34 - The Ashley Book of Knots

O~ Kr\OTS

There are several ways to break in new, stiff rope after it has been

properly uncoiled. The best is to put it to use and to be very careful

with it until it has adjusted itself. The worst wa is to boil it in water,

which removes the oil or tar and renders the bers brittle.

118. A good practical way is to tow it overboard for one day, then

turn it end for end and tow it for another day, having first made cer-

tain that both ends are well whipped. Afterward it should be care-

fully dried on a grating; wet rope should never be hauled taut and

allowed to dry while made fast.

,

119. If a rope or splice is fuzzy, rub it with a clout of mail of the U8 I

kind employed in kitchens for scouring pans. A piece of fine-mesh (

chicken wire will serve if the sharp wire ends are kept out of the I

way.
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120. The neatest tool with which to cut rope is a sharp hatchet.

The end of an ordinary fireplace log makes a good chopping block.

A wide chisel will serve instead of a hatchet.

121. If the performer is not certain of his aim, or if the rope is 12.0

large, lay it across the greased, upturned blade of a sharp ax, and

pound it with a billet of firewood.

For smaller stuff the sailor's knife is the best all-around tool, and if I

kept sharp it will serve about every purpose. ~\

\
Large cable may be whipped twice with wire and then sawed be-

tween the two whippings, with a fine-toothed saw, such as a hack

saw, or a cabinet saw. '2 \

Before unlaying the strands of a rope to make a MULTI-STRAND

KNOT it is best to put a stopping on at the length of strand required,

and also to whip the ends of the individual strands. Use the CON-

STRICTOR KNOT ('# I 249) for these purposes.

After splicing do not trim the ends of strands flush with the sur-

face. Leave them longer until they have seen service and stretched

and weathered a bit.

To fair the strands of an opened rope before tying a MULTI-

STRAND KNOT, first whip them and then beat them well with a mallet;

finally wax them.

122. A smoother knot, requiring more skill to tie, may be attained

by first putting on a seizing, then dipping the strands for a few mo-

ments in hot water, without wetting the seizing. Twist up the strands

tightly, attach ends to a board, and dry while under tension.

123. If the strands of a knot are to be canvas-covered, which is

usual with i\lULTI-STRAND BUTTON KNOTS, first scrape the tips to a

point and marl tightly with a fine, soft-twisted linen twine which has , 2.1

first been wa..'{ed.

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