Page 242 - Randy Penn Everything Knots Book

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PROTECTING AND STORING ROPE

quickest way is to tie a stopper knot. Even an Overhand Knot will
help, although it makes for a bulky solution. For three-strand rope,
the Back Splice (Chapter 4) will make a nice-looking end, but it’s
somewhat bulky as well. If you have string but don’t have time to
make a proper whipping, a Constrictor Knot makes a good tem-
porary binding.

Use a Lighter
Many people rely on a butane lighter to bind their rope end.
Partially melting the rope’s end to keep it from fraying is jovially
called the Butane Back Splice. After a knot is tied and the running
end is cut close, some people like to burn the tip, making it swell
in size so that it’s less likely to pull back into the knot. When
burning the tip, it’s important not to let the flame weaken the knot.
Stores that sell rope sometimes have a cutting hot wire that leaves
the ends heat-sealed after cutting.
However, using a flame only works for synthetic ropes. Heat
will not seal the ends of natural fiber ropes because the fibers
scorch and burn without melting. Thus, a lighter can also be used
to help determine if a rope is natural or synthetic. The only excep-
tion to this is Kevlar rope, which scorches without melting.

FACT

Using a lighter to seal the ends of a rope can be quick but
problematic. Large ropes are difficult to melt evenly, and can
result in flaming drips. The ends can also crack or break with
use, resulting in an end that can slice through the skin.

Other Methods
Yet another way to bind a rope end is with adhesive tape.
When needed, different colors can be used to distinguish different
ropes, and the tape can serve as a writing surface for labeling
them. Or you can use heat shrink tubing and liquid plastic dip.

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