Page 39 - Mark Gommers "Bowlines Analysis

Applying the theory… (Anti Bowline)

This interesting structure was not identified by Clifford Ashley (in 1944). Interestingly, all
of the maneuvers to tie this knot are generally in the opposite (or ‘anti’ direction) relative to
the standard #1010 Bowline. Dan Lehman posits that this structure is an ‘Anti Bowline’.
Note that there are 4 variations of this particular Anti-Bowline due to ‘handedness’ of the
nipping loop and orientation of the tail. In the particular version illustrated below, when
‘ring-loaded’, the structure precisely mimics the function of a Sheet bend core.

The collar is not formed around the SPart – instead, it forms around the ongoing eye leg.
But is this fact sufficient to disqualify the structure as being a ‘Bowline’?



Anti-Bowline
SPart Collar

The collar is formed around
the ongoing eye leg – and
not the SPart. However, it
still functions as a
stabilizing element for the
bight and the nipping loop.

Nipping loop

SPart Ongoing
eye leg

Tail
Returning eye leg
enters the nipping
loop from the
same side as the
ongoing eye leg.
#1431 Sheet bend
Tail
 When this Anti-Bowline

orientation of the tail, it
Ring loading is ring-loaded, due to the
mimics the core function
of a Sheet bend.

Page 38 of 59 Bowline Analysis Version 2.7a 16 July 2016 © Copyright Mark Gommers