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Online Knot Article

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/19/2007 : 11:24:15

Monday, March, 19, 2007.

There's an interesting essay about knots and their place in history at [[url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/18/AR2007031801483.html"]In the Loop[/url]], "<i>What Goes Around Comes Around, All Tied Up in Knots</i>." I'm not sure how long the essay will remain accessable, as it's on a busy daily newpaper website with rapid turnover of material, so enjoy it while you can.

-- Leon S.

� Leon Sisson

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 14:56:11

Very interesting article, Leon.

I'm one of those who are somewhat facinated by knots and fancy marlinspike. It probably started for me way back in my childhood when my mom signed my brother and I up for some summer art classes at the local park where we made simple lanyards and stuff. Later on in the Navy, I admired the ornamental marlinspike work created by the the bosun mate's. Their awning canvas work was particularly exceptional. They would take a plain piece of canvas and un-weave the fabric along the edges then create a fancy lacework border through knotting. I bought a knot book years ago and kept it at work along with a length of rope so I could practice knots during my free time at work.

Anyway, thanks for posting the article...

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 16:57:42

Very nice Leon. Thanks.

I picked up the Ashley's Book of Knots on Ebay as a gift for a buddy of mine who does a lot of rigging. I got lucky enough to find a first edition for a song and a dance. Definitely a book worth owning if your a sailor.

dw

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 18:54:31

Now I know why you are all Master Marine Consultants - you take pride in the art of fine seamanship.... the reality is that very few sailors even know what the word "marlinspike" means.

I bought a book last summer - "<i>The Marlinspike Sailor</i>" by Hervey Garrett Smith http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=Hervey+Garrett+Smith&y=6&kn=The+Marlinspike+Sailor&x=54 and it is simply full of wonderful rope projects you really can do. I just made a all rope ladder that I could use to climb the rigging if I wished - it works really well, but I think I'll use it as a mid ship ladder from the water...

but anyway - the reason I responded was because I remember a quote from the book that applied to you guys - and that is, "Knowledge of marlinspike seamanship is what distinguishes the true seaman from the man who merely ventures upon the water at infrequent intervals. No one can become a skipper, or should aspire to the distinction, who has not mastered knots, palm and needle work, and the making of small objects on board as necessary". Boris Lauer-Leonardi in the foreword of the above mentioned book....

sten

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 19:29:12

Here's one for those that are a little less knowledgeable

http://www.animatedknots.com/indexboating.php?LogoImage=LogoCatalina.jpg&Website=

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 20:21:08

Well, If it's a knot article, then what is it?

(sorry, descendant of an old old joke dating back to Trailer Sailer dialup BBS days)

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 23:37:39

My parents bought me a copy of Ashley's about 25 years ago, it's well worn now. I made a bunch of trivets from #2334 noted in the article, but never made one for myself. When my mom died a couple of years back, I got back my original, tied in much smaller stuff, that I'd made for her. It's about the size of a coaster, I'll take a picture and post it. It's definitely a time consuming knot, it took me about two hours each to tie them as I remember, and about twice that to do the original. I stll have the pin pattern I developed in AutoCAD to tie it with. I'm working on another Ashley knot as a landing for the ladder into the 250, it's mostly done, just needs a final tightening, and some whipping to keep the ends tidied up. I'll post a picture of that as well when it's finished.

I really enjoy knotting, and got a kick out of playing with the program earlier today.

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crcalhoon
Captain

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USA
303 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2007 : 10:52:46

One of my prize possessions is a real marlinspike. The spike is old, pitted iron, about 8 inches long and the head is brass or bronze about two inches in diameter, well dented. It is HEAVY, and I have visions of some 19th century bosun's mate whanging some recalcitrant sailor over the head with it. Strangely enough, I got it for $5.00 from a roadside vendor in North Arkansas who was almost willing to bet me that I didn't know what it was. I did. I have a 20th Century incarnation about the same size, in stainless steel, gifted me by a commerdcial seaman friend, which is a nice constrast, but has no soul. Neither is useful for anything we do, as they are of a size for unlaying hawsers and BIG stuff.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2007 : 11:12:20

Sounds like you might have a fid instead of a marlinspike? My fid (made by my dad) is about the size you describe, maybe a bit longer, but it's wood.

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esailor
Navigator

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USA
118 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2007 : 11:41:18

Regarding marlin spikes I have a few. My grandfather was in ww1 and also sailed on Lake Champlain. From him we have three marlin spikes one wood, one a type of steel that does not rust and makes a ringing ping when tapped and the oldest is Ivory not sure the animal it came from but it is very cool. We all so have two scrimshaw (sp) on whales teeth. We believe they date back to the early 1800's. My GF also built sail boats in the Burlington VT area and I have a chest of his old tools, very cool. Not sure what thier worth but it does not matter as I would never sell them.

My dad could tie alot of knots. Not me I know about 8 to 10 that I regularly use. I know some people who struggle with those and subscribe to the philosophy if you can't tie a lot of knots tie a lot of knots.lol

Can anybody tie a bowline one handed? I can. Try it makes a good game while around the keg.

Pete

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2007 : 12:11:35

The Chief bosun on my destroyer could not only tie a bowline one handed, he could do it behind his back with either hand. He did it so fast it was like a magic trick. All of the bosun's mates had marlinspikes welded to "Crescent hammers" (top of a Crescent wrench) that they carried in belt pouches they made from various materials. Some were quite elaborately knotted, others were made from discarded firehose, depending on the skill set and inclination of the guy. Looking back, I wish I'd have talked one of them out of the tool, but I know a blacksmith, maybe I'll get one made for myself, seems like a handy thing to have on board.

I'm teaching Rita the knots I think she should know, bowline, sheet bend, sheepshank, figure eight follow through, etc. She's particularly fascinated with the carrick bend though and loves to tie it in two different colored lines. We keep a few bits of line by the TV so she can practice when we're being couch potatoes.

Edited by - delliottg on 03/21/2007 12:15:36

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2007 : 20:39:02

Here's the knot I was talking about:

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2007 : 20:08:09

I love my Ashley Book of Knots and got my copy 30 years ago when I started working as a rigger in theater. I'm so happy to be using my marlinspike Buck knife again

(my rigging days are long gone at this point) On the rainy days, I splice eyes for docklines, whip some ends and have a grand old time. I am particularly fond of the icons scattered through out the book (detailed on my page 27)

Edited by - jerlim on 03/22/2007 20:09:54

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