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How strong is your knot?

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Re: How strong is your knot?

#61

Post by jolmg »

dragontamer wrote: post #16

My list of favorite knots: 1. Square Knot / Reef Knot -- This is the shoelace tie, and its one of the simplest knots. Learn this knot backwards and forwards you'll use it a lot. Avoid the granny knot (a mistaken reef knot). Beginners will often tie the granny knot instead of the square knot. If you can do a square knot, the "Surgeon Knot" is a useful variant which is more secure. 2. Figure Eight -- Superior to the ov…

Regarding cable lacing, it seems more complicated to add or remove cables at different points of the lace, at least when compared to velcro cable ties. However, it is cheaper and does save you time for when you don't have cable ties but do have some versatile string laying around.

Re: How strong is your knot?

#62

Post by froindt »

kajecounterhack wrote: post #52

For standard knots the Klutz book of knots is really excellent! https://www.amazon.com/Klutz-Book-Knots-John-Cassidy/dp/0932... The article doesn't mention fishing knots; in case anyone's curious anglers care a lot about knot strength but strength changes based on whether you lubricated the knot when tying and what kind of line you used to tie it (braid vs smooth fluorocarbon for example). My favorite fishing knot is…

I was recently home and found a classic Klutz book we read growing up called Earthsearch. It has an aluminum cover and talked about tons of worldly topics.

Recycling, race, population growth, poverty. All done at an elementary school appropriate level.

I thumbed through the book and read some excerpts and was surprised at how good it still is. So many times books from 20-30 years ago cover things wildly differently than we would today, but nothing was that way.

I'm thoroughly impressed with Klutz and will definitely make sure some of those books end up with my nieces and nephews.

Re: How strong is your knot?

#63

Post by dgzl »

dragontamer wrote: post #30
dgzl wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can think of at least one situation where an overhand knot is better than a figure-eight, where speed and ease is more important than strength.

Figure Eight knot is tied almost identically to an overhand knot, except you "turn left" instead of "turning right" into the loop. Under no circumstances is a figure eight knot harder to tie than an overhand knot. https://www.101knots.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/How-to-T... In fact, I've practiced the figure 8 knot so much, that it takes more effort for me to do an overhand knot these days. Figure 8 is really easy…

Forgive me, I thought we were talking about with the follow-through. In this case, I guess it's just as easy if you practice, which most people don't. People do practice the overhand knot though.

So, an overhand knot is likely easier for most people, where a figure-eight would be better for those who practice.

Re: How strong is your knot?

#64

Post by dgzl »

fingerlocks wrote: post #46
SAI_Peregrinus wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or just use the Alpine Butterfly. Stronger, easy to tie, optionally asymmetric, usable as a loop or a bend, quite secure (slightly less so than Ashley's #1452 but still quite good), and non-jamming (unlike the figure 8).

I disagree that it's easier to tie, especially if you're rappelling at night. The EDK is dead simple, it's literally an overhand knot on two ropes. You can do it with your eyes closed. It's also the easiest knot to quickly inspect for correctness by your climbing partner.

Insightful, thank you.

Re: How strong is your knot?

#65

Post by alister »

I have a knot problem that I think pretty much everyone has encountered. How do you tie a bundle of branches or a cardboard box or something compressible as tightly as possible? The first way everyone tries is to cross the rope like you would for shoelaces, then putting pressure on the crossed rope with your finger, and trying to cross the ends of the rope with your one free hand to finish the knot. Inevitably the knot is way too loose. Surely there must be a better way?

EDIT: the word "ratcheting" nicely conveys the idea I was looking for.

Re: How strong is your knot?

#66

Post by robgibbons »

alister wrote: post #65

I have a knot problem that I think pretty much everyone has encountered. How do you tie a bundle of branches or a cardboard box or something compressible as tightly as possible? The first way everyone tries is to cross the rope like you would for shoelaces, then putting pressure on the crossed rope with your finger, and trying to cross the ends of the rope with your one free hand to finish the knot. Inevitably the kn…

I would have said the trucker's hitch, but there are other "ratcheting" knots that would work well in this scenario.

https://goneoutdoors.com/rope-knots-give-ratcheting-effects-...

Re: How strong is your knot?

#67

Post by senderista »

japhyr wrote: post #20

My favorite, as many others are sharing here, is the figure 8. For climbing, it's a super versatile knot and there's lots of variations for specific use cases. It's also a great knot for discussing the properties of a good knot. I also have found the trucker's hitch really useful from time to time. It allows you to tie down a load, for example a kayak on top of a car. You tie the initial hitch, and then you get to cr…

If you use a taut-line hitch or equivalent, you can crank down on the "pulley" after tying the final knot.

Re: How strong is your knot?

#68

Post by knot_knots »

alister wrote: post #65

I have a knot problem that I think pretty much everyone has encountered. How do you tie a bundle of branches or a cardboard box or something compressible as tightly as possible? The first way everyone tries is to cross the rope like you would for shoelaces, then putting pressure on the crossed rope with your finger, and trying to cross the ends of the rope with your one free hand to finish the knot. Inevitably the kn…

I would use a trucker's hitch, personally.

Instructions: https://www.animatedknots.com/truckers-hitch-knot

Unrelated music video about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUHgGK-tImY

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