Page 155 - Peter Randall "The Craft of the Knot.."

Appendix A

COILING ROPE

Everything you do with rope—from selection and coiling to using it and
deciding when to retire it—falls under the category of rope management.

The most important rope management skill is simple: using ropes
properly. Tying knots that jam can damage the fibers of rope, and even
more damage will result from having to pry a jammed knot apart. Tying
hitches that are adjustable can aid in keeping slack out of the rope and

can help prevent stress damage from shock loading. And, of course,
ropes fare much better when they are properly matched to the
application.
Many activities that use specific knots and ropes also have their own

methods of rope care and management. For example, those who use
ropes for climbing or rescue usually take great care not to step on them.
Because the rope structure consists of a central core surrounded by a stiff
outer layer, this core can take damage from a boot heel that will not be
noticeable. Also, fishermen store fishing line away from direct sunlight

to protect it from ultraviolet radiation, which might result in premature
line weakness.
Much of the rope work methodology we use today was perfected on
sailing ships. For centuries, operating a square-rigged sailing vessel

required an army of men plying their craft with rope. Because their
principal tool for working with rope was the marlinespike, this craft
became known as “marlinespike seamanship,” and this term is still used
today.

Sometimes it is more challenging to store rope than to use it. The best
way to store rope is by wrapping the entire length into a coil and tying a
part of itself around the coil to keep it secure. When rope turns into a
tangle, it’s annoying, but what’s worse is that it will get twisted, with
very sharp turns or kinks. These can damage rope fibers, making it much

weaker. Coiling rope is also helpful because rope can be dangerous