Page 55 - The Ashley Book of Knots
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THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS
253. This is a method for making and attaching a fly, snapper, or
stinger to an ox whip. The whiplash is made of two long rawhide
thongs which are first middled and then doubled to form a loop at
the thick or stock end. The four strands so formed are platted into
a ROUND SINNET (1112999). Occasionally six strands (1113011) are
used. From the loop end the width of the strands is widened for a
2" foot or so and then is gradually narrowed again to the tip, so that
when platted the lash has a snakelike form.
To add the fly to this braided lash, another short, narrow thong is
required. This is doubled and tied at the center with a SHEET BEND to
the end of the lash. The fly is then laid up (twisted as in ropemaking),
and finally an OVERHAND KNOT is tied in the doubled end, which has
been left long. The loop in the thick end of the lash is then made fast
to the whipstock. Several different ways of securing whiplashes to
whipstocks are shown on pages 544 and 545.
To make a neater job, take the tip ends of the sinnet and form an
eye with two adj acent strands (111 2 800), and then lay in the other two
strands, over and under, and contrariwise. Put on a whipping and
then bend the fly to the lash as already pictured and described. Draw
snug, wet with hot water, roll underfoot, and allow to dry.
254. Seize the thongs at the end of the sinnet and take a HALF KNOT
(111 1 202) with each strand in turn around the other three. Each time
take the strand next to the left of the one previously tied. Keep the
strands fair and close together. Wet, roll underfoot, then dry. This
will bulk very little larger than the platting.
255. Whip the sinnet and cut off both strands that rotate to the
left. Make a slit in the end of each of these, and stick an opposing
strand, which rotates to the right, through each slit. Be sure that
everything is taut and fair. Lay up the two long ends and twist them
together, being careful to arrange them so that they cover the ends
of the short strands.
256. Lay up the fly for several inches and then tie a TWO-STRAND
MATTHEW WALKER KNOT (111776) near the end. In New England a
great many sailors were farm-bred, and the often returned to the
soil, so hereabouts it is never surprising to nd sailor's knots tied in
farm gear.
257. The lash of an ox whip when out of use was generally tied in
a MULTIPLE OVERHAND KNOT (111517) around the whipstock.
258. This is the universal farm method of tying a neck halter for
either a horse or a cow. The part marked X surrounds the neck, and
the halter cannot slip and choke the animal.
259. The GRASS KNOT is the best bend for broken straps or any
, "- other flat material such as shoestrings, straw, cane, etc. It is discussed
more fully in the chapter on bends as 111 1490.
260. Whenever you go afield, there is no better way to carr yout
water jug or bottle than suspended by a JAR or JUG SLING ( 1142).
The sailor's method of tying this is described in Chapter 14 •
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