Page 243 - Randy Penn Everything Knots Book

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THE EVER YTHING KNOTS BOOK

When you choose a binding method, keep in mind that some
serve an additional purpose. Stiffening the end to aid in threading
the rope through a decorative knot, much like the plastic tip on
shoelaces, helps to thread the tip through the eyelets set in the
shoes.

Seizing
A seizing is similar in form to Square Lashing as shown in
Chapter 9, but is for lashing two ropes together. As shown previ-
ously, often an extra Half Hitch is put in the running end after tying
a knot to help make it secure. For increased security, a seizing can
be used to anchor the running end to the standing end. This takes
a little extra time but is very secure and can make a knotted attach-
ment a permanent one.
Many people take pride in making a neatly wrapped coil or
tying a whipping or seizing just right. The skills of rope manage-
ment both use and complement many of the other skills of knot-
ting with rope, and the methods that follow will certainly help
round out your skills.

FACT

To guess by the miles and miles of rope that is used to
operate a square-rigged sailing vessel, you would think that a
lot of knots are used to secure all that line, but, in fact, the
tall masts use many guidelines called “shrouds” that are not
tied off with knots but with tackle and seizings. That is one of
the reasons that the marlinespike that is used to pull these
seizings tight is such an important part of rope management
on these vessels.

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