Thanks for this.
The Carrick, Alpine butterfly, and Zeppelin bends never jammed. The Hunter's and Ashley's bends always jammed.
Noting that “Ashley’s” = “#1452” (as opposed to other similar bends
–and some not so…-- that he also introduced, notably #1408, 1425),
I’m surprised at this jamming. I suspect that you didn’t tie it appropriately
to be jam-resistant. Looking at your photos, I see that you’ve managed
at least two versions, judging by the ends’ dispositions: that image in
your test report shows ends pointing to the side of their color; that in
the tying instructions for the knot have them pointing opposite (which
would more likely be the non-jamming versions). (Btw, the “Bosun’s
method” seems a highly multi-stepped failure at tying expediency!
I always tie it by first making an Overhand in one end, and then
reeving in the opposite end according to what knot (version) I
want – be it 1408, 1452, Shakehands, 1425a (SmitHunter’s), or
1425a-improved. I find that like method for Rosendahl’s Zeppelin
Bend to be equally too-clever-by-half. (And someone came up
with a 1425a adaptation, too. bah, humbug!) )
#1452 (&1408) when loaded will twist the nipped ends in
a direction, as --unlike for the Butterfly-- the SParts rotate
the same way; if the ends are oriented on one way, this
twisting will only bind them tighter; but if they’re neutral
(as your for-testing image shows), or oriented the other
way, the powerful twist will move them around to where
they can walk out a bit and the collars of the knot will
then expand and wrap around the knot body, locking
– which might be just what one wants, or maybe not.
You wrote “I now think that sailors of the old days of sail wouldn’t
have had much use for Ashley’s bend, because it jams so easily”,
but this just isn’t so: esp. in the rather static, non-shrinking (under
load) natural-fibre ropes of yore there’d be no jamming (or none
that some whacks w/appropriate tools wouldn’t loosen). This
bend is rather similar to the Carrick (#1408 can be seen as an
easy derivative-of/improvement-to the Carrick).
It seems that using a thin stretchy cord really amplifies any tendency to jam. Not surprising, really, when you think of the knot as locking up energy elastically, compressing itself after the external load has been removed.
Yes, and the small size made it tedious for you to try to get some
purchase on it to untie it. OTOH, rope can be tough because of
the tremendous force it can see! I just tried #1452 in 3/8" laid
(medium) nylon, loading it with perhaps 400#; it didn’t jam.
Proportionate loading to your test, however, would’ve taken
maybe a half ton (I could try bouncing on the pulley …).
(FYI, your URLink to the Butterfly bend doesn’t work.)
(And thanks for posting (you?) to YouTube to correct those
comments calling Tiatt’s knot a Zeppelin --surprising one did
so even with the correct citation into [u]ABOK for #1452!
Unfortunately, your reply comment only showed (now, to me)
after clicking View All Comments, and not immediately on the
first page w/ the video.)