3-strand lanyard knot

[michelg]

In a bizarre merging of technologies, I'm looking for some tips for a lanyard to release the shackle on my new Amsteel lifelines.

Previously, what I used:

- 3-strand shackle splice, about 4" long, attached to the releasing ring on the shackle
- whipping to terminate the splice
- Matthew Walker knot in the remaining tail of the original line
- whipping just below the Matthew Walker knot

This time, I wanted to try and use the Matthew Walker knot to hold the loose ends from the backsplice, but due to the additional bulk, it doesn't want to firm up properly. This is all using 3/8" nylon 3-strand.

Any tips? A better stopper knot to use? Or should I just be happy with my previous design and stick with it?

Thanks in advance,

Michel Goudeseune
Tanzer 22 #2104 "Brave and Crazy"
http://sailing.guild.org/tanzer22/

[osteoderm]

If you really have time on your hands, how about an 8-strand square sennet crowned with a little star knot? Seriously, there are about a zillion sennets using anywhere from 3 to 1266474 or so lines... Check Ashley's, or The Marlinespike Sailor.
i got carried away one season and made little sennet pulls for every shackle, gate, and PFD zipper-tab on a boat i once worked on.