Page 97 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

Figure 3-36. The Ashley Hawser Bend. Cross and
recross end over standing part to form two Xs. Pass
other end under first X, over second, behind standing
part, then into middle section. Draw up carefully to
reach finished form.

loosen. A seized Carrick is still the preferred knot,
but the resourceful big-rope bender will know both.

The Connoisseur’s Advantage Every knot is an
exercise in friction, a device to make rope grip
itself or another object for a specific purpose and
circumstance. As we’ve seen, even the ostensibly
simple task of bending two ropes together can be
complicated, even redefined, by basic practical con-
siderations. Some people may prefer a more limited
menu of bends, but extreme simplicity can only be
had at the expense of effectiveness. Better the plea-
sures of detail, principle, and resourcefulness—the
connoisseur’s advantage.
Bend Appétit.

A SPECIALIST

The knots considered so far have all had a pretty
wide field of usefulness. This is a hallmark of a good
in, it can be difficult to untie once it is drawn up. knot, and it’s the reason why if you only learn good
Therefore, it is customary to seize the ends to the ones, you only have to learn a few.
standing parts with Round Seizings. These keep the However, there are some very specialized knots
knot open, making it much easier to untie. If the out there that are also worth getting to know. By
seizings slip under extreme loads, the knot can be way of example, how about a knot that will ensure
relied upon to draw up into its secure compact form. more accurate (read: less embarrassing) heav-
As another look at Table 3 will show, there are sev- ing-line throws? A heaving line can be any light
eral Carrick variations. This, number 17 on the list, line, attached to a mooring line at one end and to a
is the only one worth tying. Beware of imitations. weight at the other. Throwing this is a lot easier than
throwing the mooring line itself.
The Ashley Hawser Bend But the traditional heaving line has two seri-
Our eighth selection is another hawser bend, one ous drawbacks, which I believe have limited its
that does not require the use of seizings and is more use aboard yachts. The first is that the traditional
compact and easily untied than a drawn-up Carrick. weight has been a metal-cored knot called a Mon-
It’s another Ashley original—with a Zeppelin-like key’s Fist. When this thing hits something, be it
lead—and can always be loosened by nudging the another boat or the skull of someone trying to catch
upper bight (Figure 3-36). Well, nudging might the heaving line, some serious damage can result. As
mean hitting it with a sledgehammer, but it will if this actionable quality weren’t enough, Monkey’s

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