Page 9 - Des Pawson's "Knot Craft: 35 Ropework Projects"

KNOTCRAFT 2009:Layout 1 23/10/09 12:16 Page 8

SOME TIPS OF THE TRADE

6 INCH NAILS KNIVES
These are also good for pegging There is much debate about what
out such items as bowsprit nets makes a good knife and what
and scramble nets on the lawn. makes a good blade (will it keep a
good edge, for example?). Some
LOOP TOOLS people are totally against stainless
I have made up loop tools with steel, saying that it will never give
various lengths and gauges of a good edge.
bent piano wire, which can be The first thing to bear in mind
obtained from model shops. I is that different tasks require
have found that the wire centre different types of edge. You could
from morse cable controls will never cut a 48mm piece of
also work. Short loop tools are manila with a cut throat razor,
good for pulling the ends and if you tried you would ruin
through on small button knots, the razor forever. I differentiate
while long tools will be of help between the razor sharp edge I
for splicing braid on braid line put on my pocket knife and use
and for pulling through the for cutting and trimming small
lashing strands when making up stuff and the saw-like edge which
the cores for a button fender. I put on my bench knives for
cutting ropes and cables. I get the
SERVING STICK razor edge by sharpening it on a
A very good replacement for a softish fine stone, and the saw-
serving mallet or serving board is like edge by sharpening it with a
a narrow piece of wood in which very coarse stone or a steel.
a series of holes is drilled. The As far as a lubricant for the
line is threaded through the stone is concerned (and of course
holes to give the required tension there must be a lubricant to stop
and the serving applied in the the pores of the stone clogging
normal manner. A very short up) I use water, but this can only
serving stick will enable you to be used if you start with a new
serve quite small eyes. piece of stone. If the stone has

Serving stick

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