Page 86 - Adlard Coles "The Knot Bible"

BENDS

Barrel knot
KNOT SCORE
Also known as the blood knot, this bend is highly rated for joining thin, Strength
stiff, slippery lines, hence its popularity among anglers. Another key Security
feature is its compact form, which creates minimal drag when towed Diffi culty Tying
Diffi culty Untying
through the water – a potentially useful characteristic for yachtsmen. It
Usefulness
also has a tendency to jam, so be prepared to have to cut the rope free.

1 Put a bight in the end of each line, 2 Tuck the working end of each 3 Pass the working end of each line
and place one over the other. line around the standing part of over itself and around the standing
the other. part of the other line again.

KNOT KNOW-HOW 4 Tighten the turns, and then
pull the standing parts to
The rigger’s bend achieved worldwide tighten the knot.
fame when it (allegedly) featured on
the front page of The Times in 1978.
Although already known in the US as the
rigger’s bend, it became known as the
hunter’s bend after its British co-creator
Dr Edward Hunter. According to Ashley,
the knot was tested by the Royal Aircraft
Establishment who reported it was ‘not
as strong as the blood knot [...] and
stronger than the fi sherman’s bend,
sheet bend or reef knot’.

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