Sheer Lashing
The sheer lasing is used to lash togther two parallel spars, or two spars which will be opened out slightly to form sheerlegs, or for lashing spars end to end. When used to join two spars to increase overall length (e.g. for a flag pole) omit the frapping turns, and drive in wedges to tighten the lashing.
Fisherman's Knot
Used for joining ropes (or fishing line) equal thickness.
Sheepshank
A sheepshank is used to shorten a rope temporarily or to by-pass a weak section in it.
Rolling Hitch
Used when a rope has to be made fast to an object that lies roughly parallel to the direction from which the strain will come, such as in lowering a pipe, or hauling a cable.
Square Lashing
Used when two spars cross one another and have to be joined, or where the load on one spar might tend to make it slip over the other.
1. Begin with a clove hitch
underneath the spar to be supported. Twist (dog) in the excess
rope.
2. Wrap the rope first over the top spar, then underneath tthe
bottom spar, pulling tight all the time.
3. Second time round, go inside the previous turn of the rope on
top, but outside underneathe the spars.
3. After three turns, apply two frapping turns, which
pull on the rope turns already made, making them even tighter.
Then finish off with a clove hitch.
Diagonal Lashing
Used where two spars are likely to be pulled apart. Start with a timber hitch and end with a clove hitch.
1. Begin with a
timber hitch to draw spars together.
2. Pull the knot at right-angles and wrap the rope three times
around the spars, keeping the rope tight all the
time.
3. Wrap three more turns, this time over the timber hitch (see
middle diagram).
4. Apply two frapping turns to pull tight the rop turns, and
finish off with a clove hitch.
Figure-of-Eight Lashing
With this lashing you can join three spars. Most useful for tripods. Unlike other lashings the turns and frapping turns should not be too tight, otherwise the spars won't open.
1.Rope goes alternately over and under the spars. Start and finish with a clove hitch.
Double Sheet-bend
Used for joining ropes of very un-equal thicknesses.
Harvester's Hitch
Used by lorry drivers to secure a load. When tarpaulin is thrown over the load and is being tied down, additional purchase is obtained by the use of this knot and the rope is drawn much tighter. The knot is also useful as an emergency tackle when blocks with sheaves are not immediately available.
Marline Spike Hitch
Used to obtain a better purchase or grip on a small cord, or when extra strain is needed to heave a small rope taut, as in rope ladders.
info zone/factsheets/pioneering/advanced knots and lashings
St Luke's Friday 2002