Page 157 - Peter Randall "The Craft of the Knot.."

Caring for rope includes taking care of the ends. Ropes are made of
many fibers and strands that will separate quickly if not secured. If
synthetic three-strand rope is cut without preparation, the three strands
will unravel for several feet in just a moment. Other ropes, whether
braided or plaited, also unravel or become frayed. The end must be

bound in some way, and there are a number of ways to accomplish this.
One way to stop the end of a rope from becoming frayed is to make a

binding with string near the end. When this binding consists of many
wraps it is called a “whipping,” probably named thus because on square-
riggers a rope end that was loose would “whip” around in the wind. One
way to make this kind of binding is with the Coxcombing (shown in
Chapter 11). Two additional methods are illustrated in this chapter. In
general, it is best to use natural fiber binding string on natural fiber
ropes, and synthetic material on synthetic ropes.

Anything that binds the end of a rope will help stop it from fraying or
becoming unraveled, and there are many options. The quickest way is to

tie a stopper knot. Even an Overhand Knot will help, although it makes
for a bulky solution. For three-strand rope, the Back Splice (see Chapter
1) will make a nice-looking end, but it’s somewhat bulky as well. If you
have string but don’t have time to make a proper whipping, a
Constrictor Knot (see Chapter 6) makes a good temporary binding.

Many people rely on a butane lighter to bind their rope end. Partially
melting the rope’s end to keep it from fraying is jovially called the
Butane Back Splice. After a knot is tied and the running end is cut close,
some people like to burn the tip, making it swell in size so that it’s less

likely to pull back into the knot. When burning the tip, it’s important not
to let the flame weaken the knot. Stores that sell rope sometimes have a
cutting hot wire that leaves the ends heat-sealed after cutting.
However, using a flame only works for synthetic ropes. Heat will not

seal the ends of natural fiber ropes because the fibers scorch and burn
without melting. Thus, a lighter can also be used to help determine if a
rope is natural or synthetic. The only exception to this is Kevlar rope,
which scorches without melting.

Yet another way to bind a rope end is with adhesive tape. When
needed, different colors can be used to distinguish different ropes, and