Date: Thu, 7 Apr 1994 17:42:17 -1000 From: harris@bhc.com (Bob Harris) Message-Id: Organization: Bob Harris Consulting Subject: Knot I would like some recommendations as to the types of knots to use and when. I see the advantage of the larkshead, but should the free end be tied in a bowline to make the loop, with sleeving around it? (this is for kitelines) And what about bridle lines? Please respond to bob harris harris@bhc.com Bob Harris 8 :-) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 8 Apr 1994 09:05:42 -1000 From: andrew@tug.com (Andrew Beattie) Message-Id: Organization: /usr/lib/news/organisation Subject: Re: Knot harris@bhc.com (Bob Harris) writes: >I see the advantage of the larkshead, but should the free end be tied in a >bowline to make the loop, with sleeving around it? (this is for kitelines) Common practice is to double over the sleeved part and tie and overhand knot in the doubled length to make the loop. This knot is easy to tie consistantly (so that the length of the line from loop-end to loop-end is the same on both lines once you've done all 4 ends) - just make sure that the sleeving is always the same length and that you fold it over in the middle. I am told that this knot will break at a lesser strain than a bowline, but the percieved wisdom is that this is an advantage, because the line will snap at the knot (where it can easily be fixed by shortening the other line to match), rather then in the middle. I'm not entirely convinced by this argument, but all my lines have overhand knots. Always make the knot in the sleeved part of the line (otherwise the knot will cut through it'sself. Andrew -- andrew@tug.com Home phone: +44 256 464 912 Work fax: +44 793 614 297 Snail mail: PO Box 109, Basingstoke, RG22 4SW, UK You can FTP the kite FAQ's from ftp.hawaii.edu (directory /pub/rec/kites/faq) The FAQ's include lists of kite stores, kite books, kite plans. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 11 Apr 1994 08:03:37 -1000 From: russh@lib.wfunet.wfu.edu (Russ Hundley) Message-Id: <2oc3dp$co@quad.wfunet.wfu.edu> Organization: Wake Forest University Subject: Re: Knot Bob Harris (harris@bhc.com) wrote: : I would like some recommendations as to the types of knots to use and when. : I see the advantage of the larkshead, but should the free end be tied in a : bowline to make the loop, with sleeving around it? (this is for kitelines) : And what about bridle lines? : Please respond to : bob harris : harris@bhc.com : Bob Harris : 8 :-) For Spectra and Kevlar lines, I always recommend sleeving, both to give the knot a better bite and to make the knots easier to handle (imagine trying to untie a loop made with unsleeved 80# Spectra!). When I make a loop for a larkshead, I tie a simple overhand knot in the sleeved line to form the loop, then tie a second overhand in the sleeved line to prevent the line from sliding around inside the sleeve. My main concern in making these loops is ease of untying when I have to adjust the lines for uneven stretching. With Zip line of Skybond, I'd use the same double-overhand method for making the loop, and leave off the sleeving. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 11 Apr 1994 06:27:53 -1000 From: sasaki@das.harvard.edu (Marty Sasaki) Message-Id: Organization: Harvard University OIT/NSD Subject: Re: Knot In article , harris@bhc.com (Bob Harris) writes: >I would like some recommendations as to the types of knots to use and when. >I see the advantage of the larkshead, but should the free end be tied in a >bowline to make the loop, with sleeving around it? (this is for kitelines) Depends on what you are trying to do. For single like kites, I would avoid the larkshead as much as possible. In dacron and nylon flying line, the larkshead can break at less than half of the line strength. If you want the ultimate in single line line termination strength, use a Bimini twist and with an off-shore swivel knot to connect to a high quality fishing snap. If you are using large diameter braided rope, learn how to splice a loop into the end of the rope. The larkshead is commonly used in stunt kite line termination. I think that with proper sleeving, it isn't really that bad. Unsleeved it does reduce strength. -- Marty Sasaki Harvard University Sasaki Kite Fabrications sasaki@noc.harvard.edu Network Services Division 26 Green Street 617-496-4320 10 Ware Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 Cambridge, MA 02138-4002 phone/fax: 617-522-8546 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 11 Apr 1994 12:41:32 -1000 From: ilh@lcs.mit.edu (Lee Hetherington) Message-Id: Organization: MIT/LCS Spoken Language Systems Subject: Re: Knot I'm a fan of using a single figure-8 not instead of two overhand knots. The figure-8 seems to hold fine (better than single overhand which can slip) and is very easy to untie when you want to adjust the loops. -- Lee Hetherington ilh@lcs.mit.edu = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =