Page 26 - Mark Gommers "Bowlines Analysis

The Collar (a short study)

There has been some discussion on the role of the collar – and its significance has been the
subject of debate. This author posits that the SPart acts as a bracing post for the collar – and
this aids in stabilizing both the bight structure and the nipping loop.

Collar SPart
!
 2 1

1
2

The collar has two legs:
1) is the ‘entry leg’ Although it looks
2) is the ‘exit leg’
Each leg exists on the same like a Bowline –
side of the nipping loop. it is missing one
very important
component… the
collar.
This structure is
Collar unstable.
The nipping loop
becomes unstable
and collapses.

SPart
! 

Without a collar, the bight

structure and the nipping

loop are not stabilized. As The nipping loop

load increases, the scissor- remains stable
like action of the nipping because the collar

is prevented from
loop kinks and folds the bight folding down.

component in a downwards

direction. As the collar folds The SPart acts as a bracing
down, this causes the nipping post – which aids in stabilizing
loop to open and collapse. the bight structure and the
nipping loop.
We see the same phenomena
in a Sheepshank.
Load Load

Page 25 of 59 Bowline Analysis Version 2.7a 16 July 2016 © Copyright Mark Gommers