Page 30 - Bob Holtzman "The Field Guide to Knots How to Identify.."
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Rope: the most common weight of cordage used for knots in outdoor use,
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typically /8 in. (9 mm) or greater in diameter.
Line: a non-specific term for a rope when it’s in use, especially on boats. Take a
piece of rope and use it to raise a sail, and it’s suddenly a line. This book will use
the terms “rope” and “line” interchangeably.
Hawser: the same as a rope, but the term is generally used only for ropes that
are twisted into cables (see below). Somewhat confusingly, it can also mean a
very heavy line used for towing, mooring, anchoring, or tying up large ships, in
which case, the line probably is a length of cable.
Cable: very heavy stuff made up of three twisted hawsers. Not typically used
outside of industrial applications and ships.
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