When tying a static rope to a biner, as in say attaching the other end of a Blake hitch to a harness when abscending a tree, I’ve seen a Scaffold or an Anchor hitches used. Would it be wise to replace them with a Gnat hitch as potentially less jamming, but not as widely known for security?
The Scaffold Knot (also known as ABOK #409 noose) is generally regarded as fairly good in security against slack shaking, but the Gnat Hitch tends to perform even better:
https://igkt.net/sm/index.php?topic=6076.msg40892#msg40892
Then with the Gnat Hitch’s better jam resistance, it’s a win-win option.
Even with knots known from antiquity, it’s always good to test a knot that is new to you in the rope you will be using if the task is important.
No. The 'biner hitch is also supposed to stay
in place and load the major axis of the 'biner,
not slip out of place accidentally.
And consider the dual loading --did you actually TRY using
the Gnat hitch as you discribe?!
–dl*
Your mileage may vary, but I don’t notice very much difference in the ability for the knots to maintain a certain spot on the carabiner between a Gnat Hitch and a Scaffold Knot.
Of course there are carabiners with eyelets or captive bars to force correct positioning.