Page 29 - Randy Penn Everything Knots Book

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THE EVER YTHING KNOTS BOOK

Braid-on-Braid Ropes
One example of a braided rope is a “double braid” or “braid-
on-braid” rope, illustrated in FIGURE 2-2. This structure is com-
monly used on more expensive rope, and it is favored for running
rigging on sailing vessels due to its excellent knot-holding quality
and the way it flattens somewhat to help it grip the surface of a
sailing winch.

FIGURE 2-2: Structure of braid-on-braid rope

Unlike twisted rope or many other types of braided rope, braid-
on-braid structure has a core that is protected by its outer braid,
or sheath. This protection of the core is desirable, but can some-
times make it difficult to detect possible damage. Some “sheath and
core” ropes have cores that are not braided but may have any one
of many possible structures, even three-strand rope. The core mate-
rial may be different than the outer sheath, depending on the prop-
erties chosen by the manufacturer. The outer sheath may also be
chemically treated for particular properties, such as resistance to
abrasion or ultraviolet light.

Solid Braid Ropes
When eight, twelve, or even sixteen strands are braided
together, resulting in a rope of filled and round cross section (as
you can see in FIGURE 2-3), it is called “braided” or “solid braid”
rope. When the pattern of braiding causes the cross section to be
not quite circular, the rope may be called “plaited.” With this type
of weave, every strand passes along the surface as well as through
the center of the rope.

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