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A better way to tie gym shorts (or any drawstring) [video]

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Re: A better way to tie gym shorts (or any drawstring) [video]

#191
post #165
post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It never ceases to amaze me how reliably someone always appears to “well, actually” this issue whenever Ian comes up. Despite the fact that he has merely published all this info freely on the web for like 20+ years and never attempted to monopolize knot information, nor force anyone else to acknowledge him in any way. Like, if you want to, you could call it the “Ian Sucks” knot. Why care if he calls it ‘Ian Knot’? If…

My problem with it isn't what he calls it, it's that he claims to have invented it. It would be fine if he said, "yes, other people have been using this knot for decades, but I like to call it Ian's knot." Would it bother you if I started re-wrote the Wikipedia article on the hot dog in an attempt to convince everyone I invented it? And if people started believing that?

1. If you rewrote Wikipedia? Yes. If you set up your own website and said you invented the Arijun Dog? Nah, go for it. Slightly embellishing your accomplishments, in a trivial and victimless arena like hotdogs or shoelaces, is exactly the kind of confidence we should all have.

2. He says right at the very top of the article[1] that what he's claiming is his "method," not the knot which he is attributing. A pretty soft and subjective claim, like if I claimed a "method" of making a hotdog which involves singing a particular song while squirting the mustard.

[1] https://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/ianknottech.htm

Re: A better way to tie gym shorts (or any drawstring) [video]

#192
post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It never ceases to amaze me how reliably someone always appears to “well, actually” this issue whenever Ian comes up. Despite the fact that he has merely published all this info freely on the web for like 20+ years and never attempted to monopolize knot information, nor force anyone else to acknowledge him in any way. Like, if you want to, you could call it the “Ian Sucks” knot. Why care if he calls it ‘Ian Knot’? If…

They shouldn't be mad at you at much as dismiss you. You should admit that sticking to it and trying to make other people acknowledge it is ridiculous, a joke at best. If you've "invented" some relatively simple combination of existing pieces, the only sensible and humble thing to do is acknowledge that you're probably not the first one.

Am I missing something here where he "tries to make" anyone do anything? Also he mentions the Ashley knot numbers, how is that not acknowledging that?

Re: A better way to tie gym shorts (or any drawstring) [video]

#193

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh good find. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who has had this thought. But since modern sailboats don't require knots for reefing, and modern parcels don't require tying, I think the use cases for a square knot are now pretty narrow. Some times I use them to finish off some lashing because they can be easily tied while keeping tension, but that's about it. It's just not qualified for to be the first knot we t…

The double-slipped reef knot is a pretty nice shoelace knot. I prefer a more secure variant (a different tying method of the Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot/Turquoise Turtle that's a bit easier for me), but pretty much every kid should learn the double-slipped reef first. Scouts should already know it before they join!

Oh touche. Never been a fan of shoelaces myself but that's a good point.

Re: A better way to tie gym shorts (or any drawstring) [video]

#194

Life is too short to make simple things more complicated.

I got through an entire day yesterday in massively oversized gym shorts, by simply forming a standard loop, and wrapping it _twice_. That extra friction (the second wrap) has worked for years on shoes, boots, and, very large shorts I will not be learning a fancy knot because I have no need

Totally absolutely agree with this. The second wrap or second turn totally solved my problem of slipping knots in shorts and shoes. Game over. Chapter closed for me.

Re: A better way to tie gym shorts (or any drawstring) [video]

#195
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’d add tautline hitch, great to have an adjustable-but-holds-well knot to the repertoire!

Taut line is great, but I'm finding the Farrimond friction hitch is much more secure, and is already on a bite for quick release as an added bonus.

Oooh thank you! It is an excellent hitch!

Re: A better way to tie gym shorts (or any drawstring) [video]

#196

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The difference is the Ian Loop is adjustable.

What needs adjusting? My waist size is not dynamic.

they're right, we're wrong. look, if you got XXXL shorts on a medium waist and tie an _excellent_ standard knot, and you are very active for a while? those shorts are gonna loosen up for sure

this knot rules, i'm glad i went back and tried it :)

Re: A better way to tie gym shorts (or any drawstring) [video]

#198

Reminds me of the granny knot "advice" which I also saw on hackernews for the first time many years ago and which changed my live: https://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/grannyknot.htm If you don't know about this problem yet, I strongly recommend to cross check if you have been tying it wrong for years!

Nice one
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