Page 7 - Peter Owen - Knots

INTRODUCTION

• • •

A knot is simply a cDlmeclion in a thread, cord or length

of rope formed either by pnssing one free end - known as a

working end - through a loop and drawing it tight or by

intertwining or tying together pieces of thread, cord or

rope. However, there are several quite distinct groups of

knot - hitches and bends, binding knots, stopper knots,

knots that form nooses or loops QlId knots that join small

lines together. Each knot serves a different purpose, and

although it is not necessary to know a large number of

different knots - four or five should suffice in most

circumstances - it is important to know which blOt is

best suited to the conditions in which it is to be used.

You should also bear in mind thai any knot, no matter

how carefully and securely tied, will reduce the breaking

sirain of a line by between 5 and 20 percent. Just before it

breaks, a knot slips. The more tightly you can draw a

knot when you are tying it, the greater the strain it will

withstal1d before it slips.

• • •

6