Favorite sheepshanks

Chit Chat
1

Firstly, I must admit I find absolutely no point in sheepshanks. They are practically useless, mostly because they are so unreliable. The only real use I have ever found for a sheepshank is distributing the load of some package that you are carrying by rope over three strands, so as to ease the stress on your shoulder, or whatever you are carrying it with. Outside of that, I would never tie one, save for theoretical interest.

In complete disregard with my heartfelt dislike of this knot, it has often been presented as a vitally important knot, and is talked about even in the first chapter of abok. In abok, he also presents the sheepshank man-of-war, or sword knot i think he uses (I’ve heard it both ways). There are innumerous similar modifications that can be made to a sheepshank. Below are some that I like. What is special about a sword knot, I have no idea, as in my rudimentary analysis, several of these seem equally secure.

Does anyone else like some particular type of sheepshank?

Below are the fig 8 sheepshank, glumpir sheepshank, I-don’t-know-what-it’s-called-sheepshank, and the seepshank sheepshank (double sheepshank could be ambiguious with a five strand sheepshank) just to name a few.

2

While a sheepshank can be a basis for a double loop knot, I think their use as quickly-spilled rope storage should be emphasized over rope shortening:

http://notableknotindex.webs.com/sheepshank.html

3

ABoK#1155, 1156, 1157, 1164 and 1166, progressively safer Sheepshanks. I like the 1166, based on the Pretzel double nipping loops, which is easy to remember and to tie.
The Sheepshank is a Gleipnir-like fine knot, and it is not unreliable at all - when it is under constant tension, of course. When I first I saw it, I remember the impression it made on me… I thought that it was a wonderful, ingenious knot mechanism I would have never discovered by myself - and that is what I still believe - although the Gleipnir made the combination " mechanical advantage plus nipping loop " much more “obvious” to us.
Have a look at the binder shown in the attached picture. I think that it is the most simple Sheepshank-like knot of all.