[TowerTalk] rope strength - Knot Expert

[wayg at cape-vision.com]

EVERY knot has a name, but many won't know the correct name for a given
knot, and it can be dangerous if we aren't completely certain about how
to tie a given knot correctly. Knowing the subtle difference between a
Running Bend and a Magnus Hitch could make a big difference in how
safely and securely a rope is fastened to something and how reliably the
knot will hold, depending on the way the knot is used. Using the right
knot for a given job is an important decision.

The Ashley Book of Knots is a great reference, and there are online
references as well.

The description of the carabiner interface *sounds* like a Ring Hitch,
but the loop used to make it *might* be formed with a Bowline knot.
Knowing how to tie a Bowline knot without looking or one-handed could be
a lifesaver in a rescue situation; it's a knot worth knowing.

Any knot made in a rope reduces the overall strength of the rope, so you
should be sure the rope has plenty of spare capacity for a given job
when a knot is involved, which is nearly ALWAYS. It's why we use rope
most of the time. Most of us won't be making a splice...

KA1IOR
-Geoff Way