sheepshank

[Dan Lehman]

Originally Posted by JohnV

You know that the knot holds under tension; shake it a few times and it falls apart.

No, I don't know this --esp. not in modern ropes, and in various constructions!

But when it's under tension, you can cut any one of the three component lengths of rope and the knot will still hold--as long as it's under tension.

Bullsheep! There is a particular one that you might cut (or leave slack),
but two that will immediately fail (the knot won't begin to hold).

I've never understood why this knot was ever used,
why the rope wasn't shortened by obvious measures at one end
or the other ; or, why the knotted parts weren't securely set as a
sort of bowline (something the sometimes presented marlinespike
sheepshank could capsize into).

Another possible use for it --perhaps with more than the minimal
trio of central parts-- is to make a *padded* strap for putting over
the shoulder, easier on the body.

--dl*
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