By Activity or Pursuit
Many activities are specialized in both application and in the material of cordage used, which results in a large number of knots being associated with them. Some pursuits, like fishing or mountain climbing, have whole books published just on knots for these fields.
Go Fishing
Fishing is a pursuit that has a particularly rich assortment of knots associated with it. Many of the knots are similar in style because of their suitability for the small and slippery monofilament they are tied in, and many are varied because of the need for different kinds of attachments, that is, terminal tackle. Fishermen often consult fishing-knot books and other publications to learn new fishing knots. It also helps to consult printed materials from the manufacturers of newer fishing lines to get advice on what knots work best with the new lines.
FACT
Some knots retain their names from the application or profession they were used for, even though that particular use is no longer common. The Packer's Knot was originally a type of Butcher's Knot, even though butchers use tape now. And many knots keep their name from their use on square-rigged sailing vessels, such as the Bowline and the Buntline Hitch.
The nature of nylon monofilament is what determines many of the knots used for fishing. In general, these knots tend to have many turns with the standing part leading straight through the center of the turn before becoming a part of it. When a standing part does this, it is said to have a “good lead.” Knots with a good lead will have a higher breaking strength than those without. Knots like the Bowline or the Overhand Knot have lower breaking strengths because monofilament is somewhat self-cutting in knots with few turns. Monofilament is also damaged from friction when the knot is pulled tight, but this is lessened with the use of a lubricant such as water or saliva. Because fishing lines tend to have a specific strength limit, it is important not to weaken the line at the knot.
ESSENTIAL
Many fishing knots need to capsize when tightened to their final form. You can feel the knot doing this as slight pings in the line as you pull it tight. When not fully tightened, you can sometimes hear these pings as the knot finishes capsizing when under the pull of a fish. Because larger lines take more pull to capsize, fewer loops are sometimes used. A knot that needs to be capsized when tightened can easily come untied if it isn't.
Some properties of fishing knots are the result of the small diameter of the line. Many general-purpose knots must be carefully and evenly worked down to their final tightened form to be safe and reliable, but this is difficult with thin fishing line. Fishing knots can be tied with large loops and crossing turns to accommodate large hands, and then pulled down to a small size without being carefully worked into a final shape. Many knots, like the Multiple Overhand Uni-Knots and the Clinch Knot, change shape as they are tightened, which is necessary for them to be strong and secure.
Modern science continues to provide us with new kinds of fishing line, both braided and single strand. For some, you can continue to use fishing knots that are now used on monofilament, and before that, catgut. Some can be better used with different knots, and some people enjoy experimenting with which knots work best with different lines. Some of these new lines are so thin and strong that they can easily cut into your skin when pulling them tight. Gloves can provide some protection.
Rock Climbing and Mountain Rescue
Rock climbing and mountain rescue involves specialized ropes and knots. Controlling your weight suspended from a rope is helped by special hardware used in combination with unique friction hitches. The rope used, called Kernmantle, has a rough outer coating to protect it from abrasion, and special friction knots are chosen that will not damage this outer layer. General knots like those throughout this book are also employed, including some based on the Figure Eight form.
ALERT!
Great care must be taken when using a knot under different circumstances than you would normally use and trust it in. While many loops, bends, and hitches can be used in a wide variety of applications, some knots behave very differently when used with different materials or attachments.
Boating and Sailing
Because boats don't stay where you park them like cars do, they need anchor ropes and dock lines to control them when not under power. Often, these lines need to be fastened to a particular shape, an example of which is the horn cleat. Especially on sailboats, horn cleats are mounted on several places throughout the boat, so knowledge of the Horn Cleat Hitch is important. A fixed loop will fasten to many different shapes, and by converting it to a running loop as shown in Chapter 6, even large posts can be accommodated.
Getting Dressed and the Rest of Daily Life
Tying neckties is also a specialty. Some knots look better than others when tied in the flat material of a necktie. They are generally tied in the form of a hitch or noose, so they can be adjusted in size without leaving slack around the collar. Many necktie knots, described with terms like Four-in-the-Hand, or Windsor, do not work well with rope, but hold their form well with flat material. An Overhand Knot can be used, and a very common necktie knot is made with the Buntline Hitch (described in Chapter 7). In this chapter, you'll learn a modified version of the Buntline Hitch tied with a necktie.
The Buntline Hitch may be a bit conservative for some well-dressed knot tyers, but there are many more variations, suitable for every style and occasion. Your local clothing store may have a free pamphlet with different variations. Very few of them are knots commonly used with cordage. Most necktie knots are used only when tied in a tie, and have no redeeming qualities when tied in rope.
There are numerous other activities that involve specialized knots, and becoming skilled in them is greatly aided by having a skill in general knots. A basic understanding of the differences between bends, loops, and hitches — and knowing a few of each — will help you with a great many applications.
