Page 244 - The Ashley Book of Knots
P. 244
THE TURK'S-HEAD
1319, 1320, 1321. In the methods just given the TURK'S-HEAD was
increased in onl one of its two dimensions, its length; the number
of bights was a ded to, but the number of leads remained the same,
and its width was unchanged. The TURK'S-HEADS immediately to
follow are increased in both dimensions at each operation. There
are three different groups to consider:
1320
1319. In "SQUARE TURK's-HEADs," as sailors call them, the number
of leads is always one greater, or one less, than the number of bights.
1.)19
1320. In WIDE TURK'S-HEADS the number of leads exceeds the
132. J
number of bights by two or more (with one exception only).
1321. In NARRow TURK'S-HEADS the number of bights exceeds
the number of leads by two or more (with one exception, of the-
oretical interest only).
Several authors have discussed the, way of "raising" SQUARE TURK's-
HEADS to larger dimensions: Taber, Ohrvall, Saito, Bocher, Spencer, and
Griswold. But Taber alone has noted that it takes four different starts to
make all possible SQUARE TURK'S-HEADS. (Method of Making C ,..., L I
Turksheads by George H. Taber, Pittsburgh, 1919, privately published.)
--
His paper covers SQUARE TURK'S-HEADS exhaustively in mathematical
terms. Ohrvall gives three of the starts, Saito and Griswold give two
each, the other authors give but one. Griswold's illustrations are excellent.
He describes SQuARE TURK'S-HEADS made of thongs over leather collars.
In addition to the SQUARE TURK'S-HEAD discussions, Taber, Griswold
and Spencer give methods of raising WIDE TURK'S-HEADS, in which the
number of leads exceeds the number of bights by two or more.
So far as I know, there has been no description published of a method
of raising NARROW TURK'S-HEADS, in which the number of bights exceeds
the number of leads by two or more (except methods ~IJ15 and ~1316 ,
t
in which the number of leads is always three) . .But NARROW TURK'S- _.....,1
,
HEADS may be made by methods similar to those given for WIDE TURK'S- ~-.-.... , --I
HEADS and they have a greater variety than the wide ones. , J
, 1 -I
1322. The sailor commonly employs two ways of raising SQUARE -
TURK'S-HEADS to larger dimensions: He may start with either a t I
I I
4L X 3B TURK's-HEAD or a 3L X zB TURK'S-HEAD tied in hand
and, each time two circuits around the hand are added, a larger
J 322
TURK'S-HEAD results. The 4L X 3B TURK'S-HEAD is commenced
with an OVERHAND KNOT, and the end is led as shown here.
1323. The 3L X 2B KNOT is first tied as ~ 1 303 and is then raised
as shown here in the left and right diagrams. In both these knots
(~ I J2 2 and ~ I J2 3) the working end is constantly laid parallel and t
ahead of the last previously laid circuit and with the contrary over- _ .... 1
and-under. The method is described in detail on the page to follow.
To make all possible SQUARE TURK's-HEADS two more starts are
required; the 3L X ~ and the ~ X SB (or zL X 3B). I have never
I
seen a sailor employ either of these.
I
1324. TURK's-HEADs may be more easily tied around a wooden
cylinder than around the hand, using pins to hold the bights in place.
To tie a SQUARE TURK'S-HEAD on a cylinder: Take a wooden stick ap-
proximately round and about four inches in diameter and twelve inches
long, a more convenient apparatus is shown at the end of this chapter.
Drav: two parallel lines around the circumference four inches apart and \ \
equidistant from the ends of the log. Two elastic bands will serve to :..0
I
establish and fair the lines. Mark thirty-one evenly spaced points around .-JI_---
these lines, employing a pair of dividers, or else follow the directions for --:
spacing given on the last page of this chapter. Drive small brads at these
established points and leave about a quarter of an inch projecting. 1324
Place the cylinder or barrel across the knees and number the pins,
away from you, 1 to 31; opposite pins in the two lines are to be numbered
alike. Take a piece of small braided cord and tie an end to left pin I.
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