How/Why are knots used?
To fasten a rope around an object or to join rope ends together.
How are all knots and hitches tied?
By a combination of bights, loops, and round turns
What are the terms used in tying knots?
- The Standing Part is the longest part of a rope.
- The Running End of a rope is the free end used to tie a knot.
- The Bight is a loop formed by placing the running end of the rope parallel to the standing part of the rope.
What is the weakest point of a rope?
A Knot or Splice
How does a knot work?
When strain is applied the knot begins to sever the strands of the rope.
How is knot efficiency determined?
-By repeatedly breaking a rope with a tied knot in it and averaging the weights at which it broke.
Properties of the Bowline?
- “King of Knots”
- 65% Efficient
- Easily untied after supporting heavy strain
Properties of the Running Bowline?
- 50% Efficient
- Used for securing a rope to the top of a pole for a temporary guy
- Tagging a Suspended Load
- Bowline tied around the standing part of the rope.
Properties of Bowline on the Bight?
- 65% Efficient
- Used when a temporary eye is needed and the rope is longer than desired
- Used to pull a stuck vehicle with another vehicle
- Easily untied even if placed under heavy strain
Properties of Clove Hitch?
- 60% Efficient
- Used to fasten a rope around an object
- Composed of two opposing half hitches
- Binds on the object with greater force as strain increases
- Easy to remove when strain is released
- Most reliable when attached to round objects, conductor or pipe
Properties of Square Knot?
- 60% Efficient
- Used for securing a rope or line around an object
- Easily tied and untied
What are the variations of the Square Knot?
- Thief Knot - Intentional Knot
- Granny Knot - Mistaken attempt of the Square Knot “Hatchet Knot”
- Grief Knot - “WhatKnot,” Trick knot
Properties of Sheet Bend?
- Especially useful for joining different sizes of rope temporarily
- To be tied properly, the tails of both ropes must be on the same side of the knot
Properties of Slip Knot?
- Used for hoisting tools or materials to the top of the pole or structure.
- Can be difficult to untie if used on heavy loads
Properties of Grunt Knot?
- Used to tie items on a handline when a hook is not available
- Untied by pulling on the fall line
Properties of Snubbing Knot?
- 50%
- Especially effective for controlling tension when untying
- Used to secure conductor to the pole
- The Snubbing Knot can be untied under full control while the weight of the conductor transfers to the hoist
