Page 118 - The Knot Bible

LOOPS

Bowline in the bight
KNOT SCORE
A double loop spreads the load and was, in the past, used as a harness. This Strength
version has the advantage that it can be tied in the bight if, for any reason, Security
the ends of the line are not available. Either way, you have to admire the Diffi culty Tying
Diffi culty Untying
neat way the loop replaces the turn around the standing part. There’s no
Usefulness
way that’s going to slip.

1 Using the doubled-up line, tie an 2 Open the bight and pass the big 3 Pull the bight over the standing
underhand loop and pass the bight loop through it. part, and take the slack out by
through the loop. pulling the appropriate leg of
the loop.

KNOT KNOW-HOW 4 Tighten the knot by pulling
the leg and the standing part in
Double loop knots such as the bowline in opposite directions.
the bight and the Spanish bowline (page
141) were originally devised to work as
improvised bosun’s chairs. No-one is
allowed to recommend them for this
purpose nowadays for fear of litigation,
but it’s useful to know why a knot was
created. You never know when such
knowledge might come in useful.

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