Page 416 - The Ashley Book of Knots

TRICKS AND PUZZLES

lbe problems that are based on well-known practical knots gen-

erally prove the most interesting, since the spectator finds himself

on familiar ground. The next few examples depict one-hand methods

of tying practical knots that ordinarily require two hands.

2536. The OVERHAND KNOT. To tie with one hand: Pick up the

string, and allow a short end to fall to the back of the hand; engage

the little finger in the bight that crosses the palm, turn the hand

2S36
palm downward, and grasp the short end with the fore and second

fingers. Incline the hand downward; shake the loop from around the

hand and an OVERHAND KNOT will be found in the string.

2537. To tie a NOOSE with one hand is almost a repetition of the

last knot. But the end at the back of the hand must be longer, and

the fore and second fingers grasp a bight instead of the end. When

the loop around the back of the hand is shaken off it will form a

NOOSE. Do not hesitate to show this knot immediatel after the

other, as the spectators will assume that the difference is undamental

although it really is superficial.

2537

2538, 2539. The next two knots are cowboy tricks to be tied with

:1 lariat; they were shown to me by a trouper who used to spin a

rope in the Pantages circuit. A stiff rope, either hard plain-laid, or

of the sash-cord type, is employed with a heavy honda in the end.

This may be an EYE SPLICE around a thimble, or an eye that is

wrapped or served with copper wire.

The standing end of the rope hangs over the back of the wrist and

a loop is formed in the hand which is held in two places as illustrated,

the little finger and the thumb and forefinger being engaged. The /

loop should be about six inches in diameter. The honda end is now

dropped over the back of the hand. Hold the forearm horizontal

with the honda hanging just clear of the ground.

A smooth upward jerk is made, strong enough to bring the honda

to hand. As it pauses at the top of its trajectory the loop in hand \

is gently swayed either left or right, around the honda, as indicated

in the diagram. Number 2538 forms an OVERHAND KNOT. 2.538'

Number 2539 forms either a FIGURE-EIGHT KNOT or its perversion, I

which is called by the cowboy a PRETZEL KNOT. The latter is the I

knot shown at the left of the FIGURE-EIGHT. The aim is to swing the /

loop so smoothly and slightly that it appears as if the jerk were

the whole trick. This is easier than one might think.

2540. To tie a RING or BALE SLING HITCH with one hand: Hang

a loop over the thumb, with both ends crossing the palm. Engage the

little finger with the end that hangs from the back of the thumb and

bring it forward underneath the other end. Then transfer it from

the little finger to the tip of the forefinger. The knot is completed

when the thumb and forefinger are brought together and the two

bights are slipped to the thumb.

25"40

The following series of knots consists of "trick" ways of tying the

familiar and practical CLOVE HITCH. Most of these will, on occasion,

prove to be practical methods. Number 2543 is perhaps the best

and certainly the quickest way there is to tie the CLOVE HITCH in

large rope.

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