Page 19 - Mark Gommers "Bowlines Analysis

STRUCTURE OF A STANDARD BOWLINE

Here we examine the standard #1010 Bowline:

We can clearly see that the knot structure contains 3 key components:
1) Nipping loop – (in the #1010 standard Bowline, it is a single closed helical
structure)
2) Collar (and its 2 legs)
3) Fixed eye (it is not a slip knot or a noose).

All 3 components must be present, and they act in unison. The absence of any of these
components automatically disqualifies a knot structure from being a ‘Bowline’.

SPart
Both legs of the collar 1) and
Collar 2) lie on the same side of the
nipping loop – feeding
SPart from/to the nipping loop along
a parallel pathway.

Note:
The nipping loop can be formed as either
1 2
Entry Exit a left hand or a right hand helix (or S
leg leg twist versus Z twist). It is does not affect
1 2 the function of the nipping loop. The title
Colla r of ‘Bowline’ is not affected by virtue of

This is the point where the bight the nipping loop being left-handed or
structure performs a 180 degree U right-handed – it is still a Bowline.

turn around the SPart. The collar has

two ‘legs’: 1) is the ‘entry leg’ and 2)

is the ‘exit leg’. The SPart acts as a load

bracing post and plays an important

role in stabilizing the bight and the
nipping loop.

Returning
eye leg

Nipping loop
- a single closed helical Right hand
structure (Z twist)
load

Fixed eye It is loaded at both
The eye is not a slip- ends and can freely

operate to produce a
knot…it retains its compression force in

dimensions and allows direct proportion to the

connections.
applied load.

Page 18 of 59 Bowline Analysis Version 2.7a 16 July 2016 © Copyright Mark Gommers