Page 28 - Cliff Jacobson - Outdoor Knots

Breaking Strength of Knots (in percent)

Anchor (fisherman’s) bend: 70
Pipe hitch: 70
Bowline: 60
Two half hitches: 75
Bowline on a bight: 60
Sheepshank: 45
Clove hitch: 75
Square (reef) knot: 45
Figure eight (end) knot: 48

Timber hitch: 70
Monofilament fishing knot (clinch knot): 80
Eye splice: 95
Single overhand knot (half a “granny”): 45
Short splice: 90

Figures are derived from: Plymouth Cordage, 1946, and from tests by Scovell,
Miller, Dent, Trumpler, and Day, as reported in The Art of Knotting and
Splicing, by Cyrus Lawrence Day, 1970; and Ropework, Practical Knots,
Hitches and Splices, by J. Grant Dent, University of Minnesota Agricultural
Extension Service, USDA 1964.

Knots

Figure 8. Anchor (Fisherman’s) Bend

With a breaking strength of approximately 70 percent, the anchor bend is one of
the strongest knots known. It won’t slip or jam, and it can be easily untied. The
hitch was originally used to tie the anchor ring on sailing vessels—testimony to
its reliability. Probably the best hitch to use for mooring small boats, the anchor
bend also works great for securing lures to monofilament fishing line. Its one
drawback is that it is difficult to make in large-diameter rope. Belt-and-
suspenders folk sometimes complete the bend with a half hitch on the standing
part.