Blackwall Hitch—It is the simplest method known of making fast the end of a rope to the hook of a tackle. The figure is self-explanatory, the underneath part or the rope being jammed hard and fast by the strain on the hook.
Common Bend—Make a bight with the end of one rope, and pass the end of the other through the bight from beneath, and round both parts with the end under its own standing part. The greater the strain, the faster will this bend jam.
Magnus Hitch—Pass two round turns with the end of a rope over a spar, then take it before the standing part, pass it again under the spar and up through the bight.
Selvagee Strop—It is made by driving two nails into a length of plank at a distance apart equal to the desired length of the strop. Make fast one end of a ball of spunyarn or knotted ropeyarns to one of the nails and pass it round the other, continuing the process until the strop is as thick as required. Marl it down with spunyarn and sew canvas or leather round it if intended for a block.
Grommet Strop—It is made of a single strand of rope. To make it, lay one end over the other at the size required, and with the long end follow the lay round until a ring is formed with three parts of the strand all round. Finish by dividing the ends, overhand knotting, and passing them over one strand and under the other exactly as in a long splice. To make a neat job, use a strand from rope that has been some time in use and is well stretched. The strand should be about a foot more than three times the length of the strop, to allow for the knotting. It may be wormed and covered with canvas or leather if intended for a block.