Page 161 - The New Encyclopedia of Knots

figure 113.3

Sheave: a grooved wheel, set within the framework of a block.

Sheep shank: a very old knot, largely now overlooked or discarded. It is used to shorten the length of
a rope without cutting it, or to circumnavigate a weak or damaged portion of rope. The knot is tied in
the bight of a rope, without using ends, it holds fast under tension, yet falls apart when slackened.

figure 114.1

figure 114.2

Form a bight in the line, make a half hitch (see page 91), turn it and place it over the bight (figure
114.1). Make another half hitch, turn that and place it over the other end. The knot is now complete
(figure 114.2), but remember to hold it in position until the rope has taken the strain. Any damaged
part of rope you are trying to bypass should be in the central section of rope, between the two loops.

For additional security the bights can be seized to the standing parts.

Sheep shank (from Tom Fool’s knot): another way of forming a sheep shank, its only advantage being
that the Tom Fool’s knot holds the three parts together in an enlarged sheep shank.