Page 32 - Peter Randall - The Craft of the Knot

Chapter 2

BASIC BENDS

A knot used to join the ends of two ropes is called a bend. The knots you will find in this
chapter will join cordage small and large, similar and different—a skill that you will
find useful in many endeavors.

When a bend joins the ends of two ropes, it is to provide more length or make a
needed connection. A bend should be considered a temporary join, except in the case of
small cordage such as twine or fishing line. You may need a bend to repair a broken

rope (keeping in mind that rope is weaker at the knot). You can use a bend to join
electrical cords. When the ends are plugged in, they will not pull out if there is tension
on the cord.

Before working with electrical cords, be sure the electric current to them is turned off.

When used to join the ends of a single rope, a bend makes a circle of rope called a
“strop” or “sling.” A closed circle of rope can be used for hitching or lifting, such as the
Barrel Sling described in Chapter 4.

Bends are characterized by having two standing ends and two running ends. When
tightened down, leave enough length of running end to provide security against the
ends slipping back through the knot. Depending on the knot, the length of the running

end can be anywhere from a few to several times the diameter of the rope. If extra
security is desired, the running ends can even be tied around the standing ends of the
opposite rope. You can use anything from a Half Hitch to a Triple Overhand Knot for

this purpose.
Bends vary in how easily they are untied after being under strain. Since ease of

untying may or may not be desirable depending on your circumstances, you want to
keep this property in mind when you choose your bend. Knots like the Water Knot or
the Fisherman’s Knot can be very difficult to untie, especially in twine. The Zeppelin
Bend can be untied easily even after being subjected to great strain.

It often happens that the ropes you want to join will be of different size or material.
Take great care because most bends have very little security when they are not tied with

two identical ropes. There are two ways of dealing with this. One is to use a knot that is