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Basic Rope Work

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Eye Splice with a Quick Release Knot

The quick-release honda is a metal eye which can be quickly attached to or released from the standing part of a rope or from another rope. With it the end of a rope can be attached to a loop without a knot. It is preferable that this honda be of aluminum.

Knots for Joining Two Pieces of Rope

Square Knot

1. Cross the ends of the left rope over and around the end of the right rope to make an overhand knot.

2. Cross the new right end over and then around the new left, making a second overhand knot.

3. Pull Tight

Square Knot Tied with 1 Hand – 1st Method

This method of tying a square knot is extremely useful whenever lack of space prohibits the movement of both hands. The left hand holds the standing part of the string almost stationary while the right hand with the end ties the knot.

1. Hold the end with the thumb and index finger of the right hand. The end must pass between the thumb and index finger in the direction illustrated. Pass the standing part behind the fingers, bend it around the little finger and across the inside surface of the last three fingers.

2. Flex the middle finger to pull the standing part in toward the palm. Extend the thumb and forefinger to cross the end over the standing part.

3. With the middle and ring fingers grasp the end after it has crossed over the standing part. Release the hold on the end above the crossing.

4. With the middle and ring fingers carry the end under the standing part to form the first overhand part of the square knot. Pull tight.

5. To begin the second overhand part again grasp the end between the thumb and forefinger. Release the part held by the ring and middle fingers and place the last three fingers so that the end crosses over them as illustrated.

6. Bring the standing part down over the inside surface of the fingers of the right hand.

7. Flex the middle finger to pull the standing part in toward the palm, and extend the thumb and forefinger to cross the end over the standing part.

8. Grasp the end as it crosses over the standing part between the middle and ring fingers and release the hold of the thumb and forefinger.

9. Pull the end around under the standing part to form the second overhand part of the square knot. Pull tight to complete the knot.

Square Knot Tied with 1 Hand - 2nd Method

Granny Knot

1. By mistake this knot is often tied when a square knot is intended. A granny knot will slip under strain whereas a square knot will hold firmly.

2. Cross the end of the left rope over and wrap it once around the end of the right rope, as in the square knot.

3. Cross the new left rope over and then around the new right.

4. Pull tight.

Surgeon's Knot

This knot is similar to the square knot but has one more turn of the end around the standing part in the beginning. This added turn in the first part of the knot makes it a very useful one not only for suturing, but also for any other work in which it is desirable that the first part of the knot hold fast while the second part is being tied.

1. Cross the left cord over the right and wrap either end twice around the standing part of the other cord.

2. Cross the end now on the right over and once around the left end.

3. Pull tight.

Reefer's Knot

This knot is much like the square knot but is more readily untied. It will not slip under strain.

1. Pass the end of the left rope over and around the end of the right rope.

2. Form a bight in the new right strand.

3. Pass the bight over and around the left rope.

4. Hold the bight in the left hand and pull the end of the right rope.

5. To untie pull the free end of the bight.

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