The power of knots is in the arcs, a single arc180 unit as radian counted in capstan frictions gives the most simple shape friction. Just as arc bridge gives better support, and for the same geometric cos+sine reasons of that unique geometric form that both ends, middle as such whole structure works in the same direction.
Many things can be L-earned with just minimal single arc180, uncluttered in simple bights, that carries then on to more complicated structures, once can make out these known parts to focus on the rest.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Arcs-rule-working-knots-breaking-rope-into-differently-rigd-tensioned-sections-as-key-to-knots.png
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For self as many, this starts with the Square Knot family/group; and even 1 step deeper to the Half Knot base of Square as 1st step to learn of nip, frictions, arc etc., then another Half crowning correctly, to make Square Knot. As any manufacture there are plenty of places to go wrong in this simple forming to usage. And then even errant use as a straight line extension/coupling(Bending) for Square Knot should only be used in a circle(Binding).
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Basic-square-knot-abok-1204-radial-binding-only-with-same-rope-as-quick-release-but-never-as-a-bend-to-exend-a-rope.png
The Square Knot, starts with a Half Knot as an Overhand Knot around a host item.
Many of the properties and lessons of the Square Knot are simply inherited from the Half Knot.
The 2nd Half Knot to make a Square is not a weave but a pass, so is a reversal of the previous to stay. square.
This crowning Half is just enough to keep Square Knot stable in a Bind by confounding against untying what is almost stable..
and that confounding is can fake like a lock for a Bend usage, but is just a maybe, baby, bluff; ready to fail; based on that slide of the Half Knot pulled down length of line as a Bend.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5a/A-simplest-start-to-knotting-is-overhand-knot-around-an-object-as-a-half-knot-abok-47-as-start-to-square-knot.png
ABoK Lesson# 0047/pg.014: Half Knot
ABoK Lesson# 0074/pg.018: Square Knot as Bend WARNINGS
ABoK Lesson# 1402/pg.258: 1st thing in chapter_18:Bends is Don’t use a Square Knot! and then Square Knot itself (after warnings here and in very first chapter about usage as a Bend! )
Including a written claim:
"There have probably been more lives lost as a result of using a Square Knot as a bend (to tie two ropes together) than from the failure of any other half dozen knots combined "
Still, there are web sites that recommend Square as a Bend !
Mr. Ashley Starts with Lesson A#1 Sheet Bend shown here, and #2Weaver’s as intro to knotting and 1st lesson in different names to the same form too.
Usually Hitch is a line termination, Bend a line coupling, Binding is a Knot or stand alone like a Bowline a Knot, but Clove as a Hitch is lost w/o host.
Both ABoK Lessons#1,2 the same form, but Sheet Bend was tied in 1"+ stuff; anything smaller was small stuff, and just a knot
so same form in thread in way of forming gives us #1 as a Bend Class and #2 as a Knot class here to add to understanding the knot naming rules… We in our age say generically knots.
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By the time Mr. Ashley gets to Square Knot is like harsh cantankerous task master, having given many warnings first on how not to mess up this simple task land lubber!
note: Should tie knots over and over, for trying to L-earn anything w/o doing so would be like trying proclaiming to be great swimmer after reading form a book w/o really ever getting wet.
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And then further to Lesson in this 1st opening chapter Lessons#:
“77. 78, 79. A knot is never ‘nearly right’; it is either exactly right or it is hopelessly wrong,
one or the other; there is nothing in between.
This is not the impossibly high standard of the idealist, it is a mere fact for the realist to face.”*
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Then specifically compares Square Knot to Sheet Bend for subtle differences in knots making them different.
But probably well earned from the rage of sailor’s and captains worked with.
For the structural world of working class knots, is as any other force bearing structure:
Either all correct, or headed wrong!
No room for headed wrong with dozens of starving men on floating timbers at the mercy of open sea, sun, wind and rain.
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It was called rope when loaded on the great ships they say, and a line in use.
i think that is a line of force; to this structural imagery.
One of these is loading direction thru the Square Knot build being for Binding/force across the length of the rope; not along the length
as a 90degree correction to not use Square Knot as a Bend along it’s length use the across loading to the rope as a Binder
OR turn leg(s) 90degrees to turn the lock, not the force 90degrees to then work as Sheet Bend.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ad/Rope-lock-mechanism-as-very-_directional-as-show-in-square-knot-and-sheet-bend.png
Note how this even allows some difference in sizes of the ropes as a Bend, but only using the smaller diameter more rigid density as the lock-hitch side sandwiching it’s softness between both if the more primary forces before the arc.
Some sites reference that can get by with Square Knot as a Bend if matching ropes/diameters;
that only makes it more stable to fail at a higher loading by this examination !
These ‘tails’/Bitter Ends(BE) are not loaded, therefore can’t lock on their own, only confound.
Coupled with the inherent loss of the Half Knot base as a lock, a poor hand to draw to/should pass espeially in an a quick release form etc.!
as seen from the time honored advice in ABoK as repeats many times not to use Square as a Bend and different diameters as a further complication expressing the fail earlier, but not the primary fault. And this would have been with higher friction Natural ropes as his point of reference..
Besides the warnings about loading direction for Square as a Binder and not Bend; there are also the other common pitfall reference forms
Granny#1206, Thief#1207, Grief#1208
after finally going thru a Square Knot in chapter_16 after the chapter_1 warnings.
ABoK pg.220 219 chapter_16 Binder Knots
#1202 Half Knot (1st knot in Binding chapter)
#1204 Square Knot
#1205 Square Knot release
#1206 Granny Knot
#1207 Thief Knot
#1208 Whatnot (#2 that fails pictured)
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/Square-knot-1204-errant-forms_that_fail-to-bind-granny-1206-Thief-1207-grief-1208.png
These 3 errant forms Granny/Thief/Grief all break the knot framework from mechanically Square in this build.
So i like the term Square Knot, as beginning in rope/knot mechanics, with this typical beginning knot form/family of simplest, single bight starter looks at knotting to see it’s rules. Because this is structural mechanics with rope as the formable substance used, thus Square a constant reminder, as well as righteousness to be cantankerous by the ol’man /benefactor and what he has left behind in his wake for us. Amazing!
* ABoK Lesson#0069-79 general warnings
I should have photo’d input for Knots In the Wild thread,
but will here remark at having just scouted and seen some
thickish ropes (1"+) joined with squares & grannies,
tails being hog=ring-clamped to the S.Parts,
in commercial-fishing oyster-crate rigging.
(Bivalve / Port Norris, South Jersey --part of the Garden State.)
One can readily appreciate the slenderness/size-efficiency
esp. of the squaREef knot for joints --minimal bulk.
(-;
See also ABoK p. 75 for a nice discussion of the Square Knot and Granny by surgeons of his day. I particularly liked ABoK #462 which he attributes to Dr. C. W. Mayo. This surgical knot combines the advantages of both the Granny (more adjustable) and the Square (more secure).