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Some Knot-Tying Pitfalls

There’s no question that being proficient in tying the most
suitable knot for a particular application is an important
skill to have. Just as important is understanding that even
properly tied knots in high-quality rope can sometimes fail.
You’ve undoubtedly heard the expression, “the weakest
link.” This actually refers to a chain, and if one link in the
chain is weak or damaged, this is where the chain is most
likely to break when under tension.
Unfortunately, a knot is usually the weakest link in a length
of rope. While tying knots is necessary when working with
rope, it’s important to understand that any knot you tie will
lower the rated tensile strength of the rope you are using.
It’s beyond the scope of this book to provide exact figures
in terms of how much each specific knot will decrease the
tensile strength of different types of rope. There are just too
many variables that come into play. If you would like specific
data on this matter, you should contact the manufacturer of
the rope you are using.
The important takeaway here is if you tie a knot in a
rope that has no flaws and is in good condition, if it’s going

Some Knot-Tying Pitfalls 39