About a year or so ago I was tying a Double Fisherman's bend (#1415) and a
random thought popped into my head... The DF effectively uses what
are Strangle knots (#1239) around the respective standings parts, right? So
what would happen if a similar binding knot like the Constrictor was
used instead of the Strangle in a similarly constructed knot?
What resulted initially didn't wow me, mostly due to me not realizing
it needed a slightly modified dressing procedure to take a proper
shape. But after playing with it a little, I came to think it a very nice
bend which has some unique properties compared to the DF.
I know enough to realize it's very unlikely such a fairly
obvious combo has never been tried before, but in a bit of
searching I haven't been able to find a previous reference to this
bend. I'll be interested to hear if folks here have seen it before.
However, on the slim chance it's not already known as something else,
I'm tentatively calling it a "Constrictor bend". Am I right in
thinking that there are no other bends based directly enough on the
constrictor to have already claimed such a name? (Hard to believe!)
And while more akin to a
Double fisherman's, since it is not
based on the Double constrictor, it seemed more reasonable to just use
the unadorned name.
Here are some images that should help people to reproduce this knot:
Start with two opposing lines, as in a Double fisherman's bend.
With each end, form a loose constrictor knot around the standing part
of the other line. The two constrictors should be mirror images of
each other. The easiest way to assure this is to make the turns of
both constrictors away from the body when tying.
With the contstrictor knots still somewhat loose, pull gently on the
two standing parts and allow the knots to slide together. As they do
so they will rotate 180 degrees with respect to each other as they
come together.
Alternately tighten the standing parts and working ends to tighten the
knot. Start this process by pulling slightly harder on the standing
parts than the ends. As slack is worked out of the knot you can start
pulling more forcefully on the working ends which causes the knot to
"lock" in its final position. This final locking tends to prevent the knot
from tightening much further when load is applied. Though you really
never need to pull super hard on the working ends or you may overly
distort the knot.
"Bottom" of tightened knot.
Side view. Note how the standing parts mutually trace an "out of phase" sine-wave-like
pattern through the knot. This seems to give the knot a lot of internal friction and
makes it resistant to overtightening if properly dressed before loading.
Even after heavy loading, the bend is easily released by prying the
outside turn towards the standing part. This action completely
frees the working end and allows the knot to loosen.
Interestingly, when both working ends are un-tucked as in the above step, you
end-up with something akin to a Barrel knot (#1413) -- a knot not known for its
ease of releasing.
Having used this knot for various tasks for the last year or so, I
have a number of observations and comments about it. But to avoid
overly prejudicing the discussion here, I'll refrain for a bit and see what
people's initial thoughts are.
I am interested to hear from anybody with access to knot testing equipment
regarding this bend's strength. That's something I haven't been able to
generate any real data on...
David