Page 124 - The New Encyclopedia of Knots

M

Magner’s hitch see rolling hitch.

Magnus hitch see rolling hitch.

Make fast: to belay (see page 8) or to secure a rope by means of a hitch.

Man harness see chair knot.

Manila: a natural fibre which is still available, and used on the rigging of a few traditional sailing

vessels. Originating from the Far East, it became the most important cordage prior to the Second
World War, especially in the larger sizes. It is, however, 20 per cent weaker than hemp.

Manrope: a rope hand rail, which is led through stanchions along a gangway.

Manrope knot: a permanent stopper knot, with the principal purpose of ensuring that the rope does not

unreeve through an eye or block; as such, it performs the function of ending a manrope. The knot is
made as described in this simple verse:

figure 88.1

First a wall

Then a crown
Now tuck up
Then tuck down.

Begin by unlaying the rope and loosely form a wall knot (see page 187) with the three strands

emerging upwards (figure 88.1). Now make a crown knot (see page 57), also kept loose. The tails
are now hanging downwards. Then take the ends and follow around the wall knot; you will find that
the tails will have laid neatly alongside the strands of the wall, and that after completing the doubled
wall knot they lie neatly with the strands of the original crown. These are also followed around to

complete the manrope knot with the tails taken back down through the centre of the knot to protrude at
the bottom (figure 88.2), where they can be cut close to the knot.