Page 142 - Des Pawson "Pocket Guide to Knots & Splices"
P. 142
Sheepshank
Over 450 years ago, when the first seamanship books were being compiled, the
curious name of the sheepshank ensured that this arrangement of half hitches
was guaranteed a mention. From that time on its name and distinctiveness have
meant that it is a “must” in all books of knots, even though it is rarely used in
earnest. It is best used to shorten a rope without cutting it. To work properly
the rope has to have a degree of tension on it. In an emergency, you can also
take the strain away from a worn part of the rope by carefully forming a
sheepshank around the worn part.
1 Make three half hitches all with their
Pocket Guide to Knots & Splices
crossings the same.
2 With both hands take the middle hitch
and puli through each side hitch, the left
hand pulling through from behind the left
loop, the right hand making the middle
part pass under the left edge of the right
hitch.
3 Make sure that the "ears” are well pulled
through, and the two side hitches are
tight round them.
4 The finished knot.
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