Twisted Shackles
 

Surprising little info out there (none) on the proper use of twisted shackles. What are they for? Shackle types and choices might be a great addition to your book Brion. ;-)

Thanks,
-p

Regular shackles work where the eyes they connect must or may be parallel to each other. Twisted shackles are for where they are normal to each other.

For example, the loop on the mast hoop that supports my throat halyard is verticle - the shackle loop going through horizontal. The block I use has it's attachment non-swiveling fitting such that a pin goes through normal to the shiv's axle. So a regular shackle would have the block lay against the mast with one side - hoist or haul - bearing on the mast. To orient the block to lay with it's cheek against the mast would require either two plain shackles (clunky) or one twisted.

Twisten or plain, you use what it takes to give a fair lead.

G'luck

Let's see if I got this right:

A straight shackle aligns the two eyes parallel to each other. That is if you are looking at the shackle's open side you would not be able to see through either eye.

A twisted shackle aligns the two eyes at 90 degrees to each other.That is if you are looking at the shackle's open side you would not be able to see through on of the eye, but you would be able to see the other.

So the point of the twist is for proper alignment I'm guessing especially if you're using it to attach a line to a piece of hardware like a block that you want aligned with the next line.

Any other purpose?