Page 32 - Mark Gommers "Bowlines Analysis

RING LOADING

The structure shown at bottom (identified as “ABoK 1034½”) is sometimes referred to as a
‘Left hand Bowline’ or a ‘Cowboy Bowline’. Many authors wrongly condemn this version
as being inferior to the original #1010 ‘Bowline’. In fact, it is resistant to a particular
loading profile known as ‘ring-loading’. In contrast, the original #1010 Bowline is
vulnerable to ring loading and can fail. Test this for yourself…
NOTE 1: Even though the “#1034 ½” bowline is resistant to ring loading, it is still not
considered to be a secure and stable form.
NOTE 2: Interestingly, Ashley referred to the standard #1010 Bowline as ‘right handed’ at
entry #1034 ½ (page 188). This should not be confused with the ‘handedness’ of the
nipping loop (which can be left or right – or, S twist versus Z twist).

SPart
ABoK #1010
(When the tail is located
inside the eye, it is
vulnerable to ring loading).


Ring loading

…pull ! …pull !

ABoK #1034½ The ‘ongoing eye leg’
clamps the tail segment
When the tail is located which inhibits slippage.
outside the eye, it is actually SPart
resistant to ring loading.

 Ongoing
eye leg

Ring loading

…pull ! …pull !

Point of interest:
Geoffrey Budworth, in his book ‘The Complete Book of Knots’ referred to
this particular structure as a Lapp knot (at page 35). The history of the
‘Lapp knot’ was described in the April 1996 edition of ‘Knotting Matters’
where it was apparently used in Lapland for tasks such as hitching reindeer
to sledges and suspending sheath knives. Budworth also comments that
this knot was often called a ‘false sheet bend’.
Page 31 of 59 Bowline Analysis Version 2.7a 16 July 2016 © Copyright Mark Gommers