Page 43 - Randy Penn Everything Knots Book

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THE EVER YTHING KNOTS BOOK

will help. Choosing a good practice cord can make your task easier.
And sharing your knowledge can make learning more fun, too.

Choosing a Good Practice Cord
Beginners often overlook the importance of finding the right prac-
tice cord. Remember, choosing a good piece or two of practice cord
can greatly enhance the time you spend tying the knot. It should be
thick enough to be seen clearly and thin enough to manipulate
easily. It should be flexible, hold a knot, and yet not jam readily. A
good test is to tie the cord you’ve picked out in an Overhand Knot
and put it under moderate strain, then see if it unties easily. If it
jams, it will be awkward to work with. Also check if the cordage
material you plan to use is spongy—it will make untying difficult
because the knot will shrink when tightened. And if the cordage is
too slippery, it will be more difficult to hold in position while tying.
For tying bends—joining one cord to another—it helps to use two
cords of different color, because it’ll be easy for you to distinguish
them from each other. And it may not hurt to consider which colors
will work best. Certain colors make it easier to see knot structure,
and using solid-colored cords is always better than multicolored ones.

QUESTION?

Where can I buy a good cord for practicing knots?
Many stores have their cordage on large spools where you
can try it out. Tie and untie a couple of knots with each type
of rope to see how they feel. See which color you like best for
tying. A small solid-braid halyard from a marine store is an
example of a good practice cord.

Also make sure you get a piece of cordage long enough to sus-
tain the types of knots you plan to practice. For instance, knots with
multiple loops will need to be longer than knots like a Figure Eight
Knot. One option is to get a couple of cords of different lengths.

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