Page 56 - Des Pawson "Des Pawson's Knot Craft" 2 edit.

KNOTCRAFT 2009:Layout 1 23/10/09 12:17 Page 55

R OPE HANDRAILS
MATERIALS 500mm of 24mm 3 or 4 strand rope to make the
manrope knot, a little more for a diamond knot.
800m of 36mm of 3 or 4 strand rope to make the
manrope knot, a little more for the diamond knot
Sellotape or Scotch Tape to tape the strand ends. I
prefer these tapes to electrical tape or gaffer/duct
tape, as it is thinner.
Thick leather for the washer

KNOTS USED Constrictor knot as a temporary seizing
Manrope knot (‘wall and crown’)

METHOD
If you are going to have leather Tape the end of the rope so it
washers you must make them is easier to thread it through the
first. The best way of doing this is brackets or stanchions, and fit
to make a cardboard template, the leather washer if you are
drawing the 6 pointed star with a having one. Measure the allow -
pair of compasses. The circle that ance for the knot and tie a
forms the outer points of the star constrictor knot as a temporary
should be about 3 times the dia - seizing. Unlay the strands and
meter of the hole in the middle. tape the ends. First make a wall
Remember, rope can be a bit over knot, then top it with a crown
its stated size. Pin this template knot and double the whole lot. I
onto the leather and use a chisel prefer to double below the wall
to cut out the points of the star. and crown, rather than above.
Finally, use a punch for the centre Finally tuck the ends down inside
hole. I always do this, cutting into the knot and trim.
the end grain of a block of wood. The result will be a hand -
Now you can start the knots. somely finished handrail.
A B

Manrope knot, first a Double the knot by
wall knot then a following round with
crown knot on top each strand as indicated
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