Page 237 - The Ashley Book of Knots

THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS

in another rope from slipping. On edged tools it makes an "'Acellent

hand guard, and on oars and canoe paddles, a drip guard. It is found

employed decoratively on whips, lanyards, telescopes, hatbands,

leashes, quirts, and harness; on wicker chairs and basketry; on bell

ropes and tassels. Old chest beckets, bell ropes and yoke ropes are

resplendent with them.

1278 12.79 1280 There are three distinct kinds of TURK'S-HEADS that are much the

same in appearance, but are differently constructed. They are: (I)

the STANDING TvRK'S-HEAD, which is tied with my number of

strands; (2) COACH WHIPPING, which is tied with any even number

of strands; and (3) the common TURK's-HEAD, sometimes called the

RUNNING TURK'S-HEAD, which is tied with a single strand.

The name, "STANDING TURK'S-HEAD," appears in Nares' Seaman-

ship of 1860. The knot is employed where any slipping would be

disastrous. It is found particularly on footropes, and also on Jacob's

ladders, where it serves to hold the rungs in place.

1278. If a STANDING TURK'S-HEAD is to be made around a three-

strand rope, take two pieces of small stuff, one piece being half the

length of the other, and side splice the shorter piece to the middle

of the longer piece.

1279. If small braided material is used for the TURK'S-HEAD, half

hitch the end of the short piece around the center of the longer

•
pIece.

1280. If the STANDING TURK's-HEAD is to be tied around a four-

strand rope, two pieces of the same length are required. Open one

piece at the center and reeve the other piece halfway through it, or

else merely cross the two pieces at half length.

1281. If a TURK's-HEAD is to be made around a large braided rope,

double the small stuff and reeve the bight through the larger rope

to half length. Then cut the bight to provide four ends.

1282.

1282. To tie a STANDING TURK's-HEAD: Insert the three-legged

structure (~I 278) into the heart of a three-strand rope, so that a
,

,/ leg projects from between each two strands. Hold the rope verti-

_/ cally and crown the three legs to the right. Then, holding the rope

as before, wall below the crown, and in the same direction (to the

right), in the manner already described for FOOTROPE KNOT ~696.

After that, double the lay of the knot by following below each

established lead a second circuit, as described for FOOTROPE KNOT

~696. The ends are finally stuck out, under the crown, lengthwise

of the rope. It should now be worked snug and each leg hauled on

Il83

strongly. Finally the ends are trimmed as close as is practicable. The

knot may be followed again, which triples it, making a THREE-PLY

KNOT. A FOUR- or even a FIVE-PLY KNOT can be made, but the lattel

is not always satisfactory.

1283. To make the above around a four-strand rope: Arrange

the strands as in ~ 1280 or ~ 1281, and tie in exactly the way de-

scribed for three strands.

If a sailor wishes to tie a wider STANDING TURK's-HEAD, he first

ties a DIAMOND KNOT and then crowns it, making a FOUR-LEAD

KNOT. This is doubled, tripled or quadrupled, if desired.

1284. To tie a WIDE STANDING TURK's-HEAD of any width and

any number of strands: Seize a number of cords securely to a rope

128t with CONSTRIGrOR ~ 1 249. Hold the rope vertically and crown the

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