Page 241 - Randy Penn Everything Knots Book

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THE EVER YTHING KNOTS BOOK

will result in a twist in the rope, which can result in kinks. When
a coil is bound in the middle as in the case of the Gasket Coil, it
is sometimes called a “hank.”

FACT

Do not confuse the name Figure-of-Eight Coil with a coil that is
laid up with figure eights. The Figure-of-Eight Coil has its name
because after making a regular circular coil, a knot similar to
the Figure Eight Knot is tied at the top around the wraps to
keep the coil in place. This is different from the case when each
wrap of the coil is laid in the shape of the number eight.

At Rope’s Ends

Caring for rope includes taking care of the ends. Ropes are made
of many fibers and strands that will separate quickly if not secured.
If synthetic three-strand rope is cut without preparation, the three
strands will unravel for several feet in just a moment. Other ropes,
whether braided or plaited, also unravel or become frayed. The end
must be bound in some way, and there are a number of ways to
accomplish this.

Tie Up Loose Ends
One way to stop the end of a rope from becoming frayed is to
make a binding with string near the end. When this binding consists
of many wraps it is called a “whipping,” probably named thus because
on square-riggers a rope end that was loose would “whip” around in
the wind. One way to make this kind of binding is with the
Coxcombing (shown in Chapter 10). Two additional methods are illus-
trated in this chapter. In general, it is best to use natural fiber binding
string on natural fiber ropes, and synthetic material on synthetic ropes.
Anything that binds the end of a rope will help stop it from
fraying or becoming unraveled, and there are many options. The

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