The other day I went out to test the morphability of the False Hunter's Bend under bodyweight loading; results at the link below:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1K00rdRYyb1Ux5MVjuxbycXUUP1AMeupG?usp=sharingCords used:
- Off-white color, plain sheath: 8mm Sterling rope w/aramid sheath, well used, supple, exact model unknown
- Blue/red: 8mm cord, nylon, relatively new but sheath no longer slick, medium-stiff, exact model unknown
- Tan/blue/black: 8mm Sterling Canyon Lux, well-used, supple
- White/black/yellow: Petzl Vector 11mm, relatively new with slick sheath, medium-stiff
Other notes:
- all tests were done using my bodyweight (~ 78 kg)
-
bodyweight load photos involved slowly easing myself into a position of bodyweight loading, to avoid the load exceeding bodyweight.
-
bounce load photos involved taking a slight hop and allowing my full weight to drop onto the rope, immediately after the
bodyweight load photo was taken, to increase the load above bodyweight.
- No load measurements were taken as means were lacking.
General conclusion: it is reasonable to assume that the False Hunter's Bend may not significantly morph under bodyweight depending on certain conditions related to the cord used, e.g. sheath material, flexibility, wear state, dirtiness, wet/dry, etc., and also whether the anchor sling is tied in a loop, extended over an edge before loading, etc. That the knot
will morph further when sufficiently loaded, I have no doubt, but this point is not relevant in all cases. In cases without significant morphing, it can be easily mistaken for a Hunter's Bend. It is not easily mistaken for a Zeppelin Bend in such cases, due to the obvious
collar tell. In a partially morphed state, it resembles neither a Zeppelin nor a Hunter's. In its fully morphed state, it resembles the Hunter's rotated 90 degrees, but again, not the Zeppelin.
Aside: it is expected (and welcome) that we will always have multiple names for a knot, chosen (hopefully) according to the name's usefulness to the specific user group.