Page 28 - Derek E. Avery - The new encyclopedia of knots

consisting of two interlocking bowlines.

Bowse down: to draw tight a line by means of a purchase.

Braided rope see plaited rope.

Breaking strength: the estimated load, calculated by the manufacturers,
that will cause a rope to part. This is not a safe working load (see page

142), which takes into account other factors.

Relative breaking strengths of 12mm (0.5in) three-stranded laid ropes are
as follows, when hemp is the norm:

manilla 93.5%
hemp 100%
polyethylene 144%
polypropylene 193%
polyester 219%
polyamide 300%

Kevlar (braided) 706.5%

see also knot strength, rope strength, safe working load and security.

Bucket hitch, anchor bend or fisherman’s bend: an ideal knot for making

a lanyard fast to the handle of a bucket, and so this has become most
popularly known as the bucket hitch; in addition, this knot is indeed a
hitch rather than a bend. It is a variation of the round turn and two half
hitches and is very strong, with excellent holding properties.

First take a round turn on the anchor ring or post to which you are
affixing the rope, then pass the end around behind the standing part
(figure 16.1) and tuck it under the round turn. You can then work this

tight before taking a half hitch around the standing part (figure 16.2).
When using this knot with an anchor, seize the working end to the
standing part for security, or alternatively tie a bowline on the standing
part with the working end.