Page 37 - Des Pawson "Des Pawson's Knot Craft" 2 edit.
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KNOTCRAFT 2009:Layout 1  23/10/09  12:17  Page 36





                                           B O W FENDER
                   Half hitching (page 34) is the most versatile method to cover the
                   core. The size of the rope used for this will vary but should be
                   in proportion to the finished fender; 6mm may be fine for a
                   delicate job for a skiff, but 12 or 14mm for a work boat of 10-
                   15m length with 20-24mm for the largest tug fender. The type
                   of rope used depends on taste and material available: 3 strand
                   rope means that you may long-splice lengths together and it can
                   be either natural or synthetic fibre. Natural fibre rope such as
                   manila or sisal, or even hemp, is likely to rot after a few years,
                   especially if the fender is left on all year round. This decay can
                   be slowed down by painting or dunking the fender from time to
                   time in some form of preservative; be it clear Cuprinol, creosote,
                   thinned down tar or even old sump oil! It rather depends on
                   how you want the fender to look and how happy you will be to
                   make another one.
                     Polypropylene is a low cost synthetic rope that many people
                   use, I quite like the staplespun polypropylene (the slightly hairy
                   looking one), which is a fair compromise in the cost/look/life
                   stakes. I have seen some handsome fenders in black
                   polypropylene. There are a number of synthetic hemp look-
                   alikes, which give a near traditional look, but it is worth
                   checking how resistant they are to UV breakdown, as some are
                   better than others. Nylon or polyester will last the longest but
                   they are often hard laid which makes hitching hard work, also
                   they are the most expensive and do have a tendency to look a
                   little modern. A lot of rope is needed and it will take you a lot
                   of time to hitch the cover, but on the other hand I hope you will
                   get pleasure from making the fender.
                     With all the work of hitching the cover of the fender, you may
                   wish to add a Turk’s head at the centre to protect the hitching
                   at this vulnerable point, it is easier to replace than having to
                   remake part of the cover, and it certainly gives the fender
                   additional style!














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