it is either found and in use, or found and put to rest because there are better alternatives.
One would like to think this, but it's hardly true. I've seen many knot structures
in use that could (
should) be replaced with simpler and even more effective
ones, but aren't. The ones in use work well enough and are familiar,
and the user moves on.
Ashley's Stopper is such a knot, as is Rosendahl's bend ("Zeppelin"),
but are they much used (and since when)? The Twixie is also simple
and effective, but aside from Geoffrey's article in
KM, I'm unaware
of any other occurrence of it (even in his own books!)?
The discovery and promulgation of alternatives is erractic; there is much
resistance to new ideas.
Just because its simple doesnt mean it has actually been named and put to use. Ashley's stopper is simple also, but he still got to name it.
And his name has happily been mostly overridden by the name we're
now using ("Oysterman's Stopper" being a misnomer, as is also
"Rigger's Bend" & "Heaving Line Bend" (as told by Sten a few recent
KMs ago)). Naming knots is tough! Names that seem apt when considering only
a small set of knots (of different types) can be seen to be equally apt
for a collection of versions & variations, once revealed, for those
names that try to be descriptive (e.g. "overhand loop"). Personal names
are sometimes unique, but sometimes misleading ("Hunter's Bend" isn't
used by hunters any more than by riggers (or smiths, for that matter!)),
and don't help if a knot fiddler discovers loads of knots (Franz Bachmann
has many friction hitches beyond what carries his name).
--dl*
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