Hacker Timesnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin
Knot Strength: Structures That Make a Natural-Fiber Knot Strong or Weak (2010) (allaboutknots.blogspot.com)
56 points by rfreytag on Nov 2, 2014 | hide | past | favorite | 7 comments


BD has a brief blog post testing knot strengths: http://blackdiamondequipment.com/en/experience-story?cid=qc-...


While the article claims there are no strength benefits to dressing a knot, it is almost certainly still a good idea if only for the fact that it is easier to recognize a mistake in a knot if it is dressed than if it is not.


This is he reason why when working with lines, splices are significantly better.

My go to reference is Brion Toss -- http://www.briontoss.com/


Where "better" means less likely to fail - in many cases, it could mean "quick" or "easy to teach" for example, which splices are not. Given the tremendous strength of much modern synthetic cordage (especially Spectra / Dyneema), quick-to-tie knots that weaken the line, even by a significant percentage, may be preferable.


For anyone interested in knots and knot tying, the Ashley Book of Knots[1] is a wonderful book to have. I've spent many happy hours pouring over the knots and their descriptions in this book.

[1] - http://www.amazon.com/The-Ashley-Book-Knots-Clifford/dp/0385...


It is _the_ book on knots, although it does miss knots invented later in the 20th century, like the Zeppelin bend. I was amazed to learn that it was used as a reference book by mathematical topologists. They will refer to a bend in space as Ashley#1024 for example, since all the knots in the book are numbered in a referential fashion.


The palomar knot is one the strongest knots for tying a hook to fishing line...unless you do not wetten the knot while tying it.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: