Page 93 - The Ashley Book of Knots

THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS

514. The OVERHAND KNOT, also called SIMPLE, SINGLE, THUMB,

CoMMON, and ORDINARY KNOT, is the simplest of all knot forms and

is the point of departure for many of the more elaborate knots. It is

quite secure but very weak, reducing the strength of the rope in

which it is tied by perhaps as much as fifty per cent. It also jams and

is difficult to untie, often injuring the fiber. For these reasons it

514 should be tied only in small material that is not to be employed again,

and where there is considerable margin of strength.

The name OVERHAND KNOT appears in Steel's Elements & Practice

of lUgging, 1794. Formerly the knot was tied in square-sail reef points

which, after reeving through eyelet holes in the sail, were knotted

closely at either surface. It is the knot universally used in sewing
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thread and twine, and riggers put it in the ends of spun-yarn seizings.

On jib-boom footropes the OVERHAND KNOT is sometimes tied at

regular intervals to prevent feet from slipping, but except for this

single purpolie it is seldom tied in rope at sea, as the FIGURE-EIGHT

KNOT is both stronger and easier to untie.

Ashore the OVERHAND KNOT is frequently employed to prevent

raveling and unreeving. Formerly carriage whips were hung up by

OVERHAND KNOTS, which were tied in the ends of the fly or snapper.

Its chief merit is its compactness. It is the smallest of all knots, and

SI5 expends the least material.

515. The name THUMB KNOT is applied particularly when the knot

is tied by one hand, as it commonly is in sewing thread and twine.

The name with this meaning is given in Emerson's Mechanics of 1794-

So tied, it may be either a SINGLE or a DOUBLE OVERHAND KNOT. A

loose round turn is made about the tip of the forefinger. When the

thumb is extended the end rolls through the turn once or twice. The

standing part of the thread is then pulled, and the knot is formed

under the nail of the second finger. The technique varies, however,

with the individual.

S I" 516. The DOUBLE OVERHAND KNOT is called a BLOOD KNOT when

used on a cat-o'-nine-tails, or on the snapper of an ox whip.

517. A THREEFOLD OVERHAND KNOT, or even a larger one, may be

tied, but beyond two turns the knot must be worked into shape, and

for that reason it may be considered more decorative than practical.

The FRENCH KNOT is a MULTIPLE OVERHAND tied over a needle in

embroidery.

If a very large knot of this des;cription is wanted it may be found

easier first to tie in the usual way. Then add as many turns as desired

by wrapping the loop around the end, as here illustrated.

511

511 SI8