Knot MMG

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theanimal
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Knot MMG

Post by theanimal »

The premise:
jacob wrote:
Wed May 25, 2022 1:30 pm
Learning new knots, practicing existing ones, or reminding each other before we forget.

This could be a thing ... meetings interspersed with random banter. Basically an excuse to socialize. Also it seems ideal for a zoom activity(?)

I suggest a slow pace: Monthly meetings, members take turns introducing a new knot or a new technique. One knot/technique per meeting. No pressure. Tons of knots to learn so easy to prepare when it's your turn.

Anyone interested?
If anyone is interested, feel free to post here or send a message. I am messaging those who have expressed interest to set up an initial meeting.

theanimal
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Re: Knot MMG

Post by theanimal »

We had our first meeting. A fun hour full of many knots! We learned that it's difficult to teach knots, both in terms of most of us never really having explained knots before and also in terms of trying to tie the knot while presenting in front of the tiny camera. We will be meeting again next month.

Some of the knots covered in the initial meeting:
-Bowline
-Perfection Knot
-Figure 8 knot
-Square knot
-Surgical knot
-Wraparound loop knot
-Single Column tie
-Trucker's Hitch
-Munter Hitch

shaz
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Re: Knot MMG

Post by shaz »

So you decided not to go with the slow pace, then?

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mountainFrugal
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Re: Knot MMG

Post by mountainFrugal »

Lol. It was a fun flurry of knot activity. Now we can all learn some for next time. :).

theanimal
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Re: Knot MMG

Post by theanimal »

We met again and interspersed knots with discussions about some of our other projects. We were all much improved over the first time with regards to knot presentation. Here's what we worked on:

-Example of a sling made out of paracord
-Poacher's knot
-Double Fisherman's bend
-Alpine Butterfly Loop
-Prusick knot
-Fly fishing clinch knot
-Clove hitch
-Storing rope/paracord and how to make climbing rope into a backpack

theanimal
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Re: Knot MMG

Post by theanimal »

We decided we'd like to do a knot of the week to provide more opportunity for practice. There will be one knot each week posted here. I encourage anyone to participate and follow along. You can use any spare rope, paracord, your shoelace or your friend's shoelace as a medium. After we get a few knots going we can do some type of review each week so that the information stays fresh.

The knot of the week is the bowline:
Image

This animated knot site offers an animated version and more detail of the knot if you'd like to look further

The bowline is a common knot and makes a secure loop at the end of a rope. I have used it for attaching paracord to a tent and tarp. From my understanding, it is also occasionally used in sailing when needed to fasten a line to a post.

Happy knotting!

jacob
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Re: Knot MMG

Post by jacob »

The primary reason for using the bowline in sailing is that it can easily be untied even though it has been under [literally] tonnes of tension. On a yacht, it is used to tie the lines to the head sail(s), like the jib and spinnaker.

There's a way to tie it with one hand. Otherwise, the rabbit comes up the hole, goes round the tree, and down again 8-)

For some odd reason, sailors pronounce it "boohlean" (emphasis on first syllable). Dunno if that's universal.

ffj
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Re: Knot MMG

Post by ffj »

I wonder how many millions of people have learned this knot using the rabbit analogy, haha.

A couple tips:

After you have mastered the basic tying, walk around your yard or the local park and practice tying this knot in different positions and around multiple objects. People get comfortable tying it a certain way and orientation but when presented with something different suddenly they can't tie it any longer. I used to joke that everybody is an expert standing around in a circle with other students but when told to tie it around a tree they revert to noob status.

Learn how to tie it faster. The old rabbit trick is useful to a certain extent, but it's slow and rudimentary. Not bad for an absolute beginner, but at some point you will want to up your game to make your life easier. Check out the snap bowline for instance, or the one handed method. Or just how to create your round turn quickly. It's a game changer.

Learn how to tie a proper safety for the bowline. Its main advantage is that it is easy to untie after heavy loading, but that comes at a cost. If the knot isn't kept at a constant load, vibration and wind events can untie the knot. So master a safety such as the Yosemite finish.

Once you've mastered the basic knot, explore some of its variations. You'll find that they compliment each other quite nicely and will make you better at knot tying. A double bowline or a bowline on a bight come to mind, as well as the snap bowline.

And for all that is good and holy, please do yourself a favor and purchase a rope that is comfortable and easy to handle and looks pretty to boot. And long enough to do something other than tying a knot. Something you can actually use and enjoy. You want a rope that has good hand, which means it's workable and not too stiff. Check these guys out: https://www.wesspur.com/clearance/clearance-rope.html.

Pick a climbing line, just double-check their catalog to make sure you've picked correctly, and have fun. Most of them are rated for at least 7,000 MBS so go climb or swing with it when you aren't practicing your knots. Fun, fun, fun.

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