Fastening Knots
[Fig. 1.] The over-hand knot is the simplest of all knots to make. It is made by passing the lose end of the rope over the standing part and back through the loop.
[Fig. 2.] The Double knot is made by passing the free end of the rope through the loop twice instead of but once as in making an over-hand knot. This is used for shortening or for a stop on a rope, and is more easily untied than the over-hand knot. It is also known as a blood knot, from its use on whip lashes by slave drivers, etc.
[Fig. 3.] The Figure Eight knot is similar to the over-hand knot except that the loose end of the rope is passed through the loop from the opposite side. It is commonly used to prevent a rope running through an eye or ring or tackle block. It is also used as the basis for ornamental knots, etc.
[Fig. 4.] The Double Figure Eight knot is made by forming a regular figure eight and then following around with the end of the other rope as shown.
[Fig. 5.] The Square knot is probably the commonest and most useful of all knots. It is strong and does not become jammed when being strained. Take the ends of the two ropes and pass the left end over and under the right end, then the right end over and under the left. Beware of the granny knot which is often mistaken for the square knot but is sure to slip under strain.
[Fig. 6.] The Reef knot is a slight modification of the square knot. It consists merely of using the bight of the left or right end instead of the end itself, and is tied exactly as is the square knot. This makes the knot easy to untie by pulling the free end of the bight or loop.
[Fig. 7.] If the Square or reef knot is used to join two ropes of unequal diameter, the knot is apt to slip unless the ends of the rope are whipped as shown.
[Fig. 8.] A Square knot joining two ropes of unequal size is apt to slip with a result similar to that shown.
[Fig. 9.] The Open-hand knot is made by tying an over-hand knot with two rope ends lying parallel. It is better than a square knot for joining two ropes of unequal diameter. Grain binders use this knot.
[Fig. 10.] The Granny knot is often mistaken for a square knot and its use should by all means be avoided as it is almost sure to slip when a strain is applied, unless the ends are whipped. For large rope, a granny knot with ends whipped will hold securely and is easy to untie.
[Fig. 11.] The Fisherman’s knot is a simple type of knot formed by two simple over-hand knots slipped over the standing parts of the two ropes, and drawn tight. It is valuable for anglers as the two lines may be drawn apart by merely pulling on the loose ends of the rope.
[Fig. 12.] The Ordinary knot is used for fastening two heavy ropes together and is made by forming a simple knot with the end of one rope and then interlacing the other rope around it, as shown.
[Fig. 13.] Whipping the two ends of an Ordinary knot makes it more secure.
[Fig. 14.] The Weaver’s knot is used to join small lines or threads and is made by forming a bight in one rope, passing the end of the second rope around the bight, back over itself and through the bight. Weavers use this knot in tying broken threads. When pulled tight, both ends point backward, and do not catch when pulled thru the loom.
[Fig. 15.] The Hawser knot or sheet bend is used for joining stiff or heavy ropes and is not to be confused with the weaver’s knot. It resembles the bowline, and is easily untied.
[Fig. 16.] The Double Sheet Bend is similar to the Hawser knot and is useful for the same purposes.
[Fig. 17.] The Garrick bend is commonly used for joining two heavy hawsers which are too stiff to bend easily.
[Fig. 18.] Another method of joining stiff hawsers is to use the Half-hitch and whipping. This is a satisfactory method of making a joint to be used for a considerable time.
[Fig. 19.] The Slip knot as shown is a knot with many uses.
[Fig. 20.] The Bowline knot is useful for forming a loop on the end of a rope. It is used frequently by stockmen to tie a horse or cow so that they will not choke themselves. It is always secure and easily untied. Use this knot in tying a tow rope to a car.
[Fig. 21.] The Running Bowline is used for the same purposes as the slip knot in Fig. 19, but is much more secure. It will always run freely on the standing part of the rope, and is easily untied.
[Fig. 22.] A Loop knot is useful for making fast to the middle of a rope where the ends are not free. It will pull tight under strain, and is not easily untied.
[Fig. 23.] The Tom-fool knot is formed in the middle of a rope and may be used for the same purpose as the loop knot, except in this case either standing part of the rope may be strained without the knot failing, or slipping. It can be used for holding hogs. Place one loop over the hog’s snout and hold onto one rope. Release by pulling other rope. Can also be used from the ground for releasing hoisting tackle which has been used on a flag pole or other tall object.
[Fig. 24.] The Boat knot is formed by the aid of a toggle on a rope whose ends are not free, and is used for shortening or for stopping a ring on a taut line.
[Fig. 25.] The Surgeon’s knot is a modified form of the square knot, and if used with smooth cord, as in tying bundles, it holds very securely. The object of the double twist is to make the knot easy to tie without holding with the end of the finger.
[Fig. 26.] Bowline on the bight is easily made on the looped part of a rope which is double. It is used where a loop is desired which will not pull tight or choke and is easily untied. May be used for casting harness for horses.
[Fig. 27.] The Spanish Bowline is a knot which may be made in the middle of a long rope or in a bight at the end, and gives two single loops that may be thrown over two separate posts or both thrown over one. Either loop will hold without slipping and is easily untied.
[Fig. 28.] The Flemish loop is similar to the Fisherman’s knot, [Fig. 11,] except that it is used for forming a loop on the end of a rope instead of joining two ropes. The loop or eye will not close up when strained.
[Fig. 29.] The Hawser knot with toggle is formed exactly the same as the regular Hawser knot except that the toggle is inserted for the purpose of making it easy to loosen the knot after a strain has been applied.