Page 109 - Mario Bigon "The Morrow Guide to Knots"

SHEEPSHANK

Fi rst method

The sheepshank
belongs to the group of
seamen's knots. and.
like all the other knots
that sailors use. it has
certain special features:
it does not chafe, unties
easily after use, and has
a good jamming action.
It is used particularly in
towing boats and on
the running rigging. It
does not alter shape,
even if it has been left in
use for a long time, and
the rope does not wear,
provided that the parts
are under equal strain.
The sheepshank is the
best knot to use for
considerably shortening
a long rope. The
number of half hitches
made on the rope (a
minimum of three and a
maximum of five)
determines both the
grip of the knot and
how much the rope is
shortened.

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