Page 254 - Barbara Merry - The Splicing Handbook

not be used to join two pieces of rope except as a temporary expedient because it

is not particularly secure and will capsize easily if rubbed the wrong way by, say,
a shroud or bobstay. It’s the knot of choice for tying reef points under the bunt of
a reefed sail—thus, the alternate name. Tied wrong, this knot becomes a Granny
Knot and is more likely to slip.

The Package Knot is simply a square knot with an extra turn in the first
overhand. It is a good alternative to the square knot because it is easier to untie.
It does not hold as well, however.

The Fisherman’s Knot is strong and easy to tie, but untying it is very difficult.
(In the illustration, the knot has not yet been cinched tight.)

The Sheet Bend is much easier to untie than a square knot after it has been
under strain, and is an excellent choice to join ropes of different sizes. When a

ship is docking, for example, the smaller line is thrown onto the ship from the
dock and is then tied with a single (or double) sheet bend onto the ship’s dock-
line (often wire). Then the dockline is hauled over to the dock and belayed.
When one of the lines already has an eye in it, the knot is called a Becket Bend.
It is important to pull the knot tight so the loops seat firmly with like ends
parallel to each other. If this bend is not drawn tight properly, the two pieces can
slip.