Page 225 - The Ashley Book of Knots

THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS

1133. The HALF KNOT is the commonest of the CROSSING KNOTS

and the least efficient. Sometimes it is tucked a second time to make

a DOURLE HALF KNOT, which is more secure but still is hardly to be

recommended. I have seen the HALF KNOT used for the sides of a

rope ladder to the trapezes, in Lowney Brothers' Circus. As the

knots of each rope were tied on opposite sides of the rungs there

was no tendency for the rungs to turn and the knot served its pur-

1 ] 8 pose. The chief objection would be that when not in use they would

be liable to loosen and get out of adjustment.

1184. The Cow HITCH is used as a CROSSING KNOT on the farm.

It is not particularly firm, but it does not become untied, since both

ends are engaged; moreover it cannot jam. It has the further advan-

tage that it is easily tied, either in the end or bight of a rope.

1185. The HALF HITCH is often used in roping off street con-

struction activities. It is perhaps the least satisfactory of CROSSING

KNOTS in common use since it is very apt to sli down the iron stake

to which it is ordinarily tied. The rope may rst be tied in a series
] 86

of OVERHAND KNOTS (jljfS64); then each knot is opened as jljf48 and

dropped over a stake.

1186. The MARLINGSPIKE HITCH is tied in the bight and is often

seen on iron stakes. It may slip if the rope is slack but it is easily

untied, and the pull on the ends is at opposite sides of the stake.

1187. SPAR HITCH jIjf I 244 makes a good CROSSING KNOT. It is firm,

has an excellent lead and may be tied in the bight.

1188. The CONSTRICTOR KNOT is the firmest of the CROSSING KNOTS

and may be tied either in the end or bight but it is one of the most

difficult of knots to untie and is not suitable for rope unless the pur-

pose is a permanent one (such as on a rope ladder). For this purpose

the two ropes are led down opposite sides and ends of the rungs.

The three CROSSING KNOTS (jljfII86, jljfII87 and jljfII88) are each

started with a similar turn around the stake. The same bight is lifted

1188

in each case from under the same part and then passed over the top

of the post. But in jIjf I 186 the bight is lifted over without twisting to

form a MARLINGSPIKE HITCH; in jIjf I 187 it is given a half twist or tum

to the left to form HITCH jIjf 1674, and in jIjf I 188 it is given a half twist

to the right to form the CONSTRICTOR KNOT-three very different

hitches which make excellent CROSSING KNOTS.

1189. When the CONSTRICTOR KNOT is tied around a stanchion or

a tall pole, where there is no access to the top, a round turn must be

I made and the end rove as pictured here.

1190. If there is to be considerable sidewise pull, as in swifting the

bars of a capstan, the ROLLING HITCH, originally the MAGNUS or

MAGNERS HITCH, is the best CROSSING KNOT to employ. It is easily

[ 2 16 ]