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36 Knots, Bends, and Splices | Prop Agenda

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36 Knots, Bends, and Splices

POSTED ON A UGUST 11, 2010

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Who here likes knots? Who doesnt like knots? When I was first starting out as a stagehand apprentice, I was told there were three knots I should memorize: the square knot, bowline, and clove hitch. These, I was taught, made up the bulk of all knots needed in theatre. Any other specialty knots came into play when you were doing specialty jobs. This has held fairly true throughout my career; other than the odd decorative knot or particular rigging challenge, I can usually solve my knotty problem with one of these three knots. To that end, here are diagrams of thirty-six common knots, bends, and splices I pulled from an old book. These arent decorative or pretty knots; these are heavy-duty working-class knots, including the three I mentioned above. There is, of course, the larger question of what circumstances each of these knots should be used in; perhaps I will address that in a later post. Until then, why knot just enjoy the pictures?

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About

I am Eric Hart, a prop maker and the Props Master at Triad Stage in North Carolina. This site is a way to share my work and the things I've learned over the years. It's also a way to connect with other prop makers, props masters, and artisans, Parts of a rope, overhand knot, figure eight knot, stevedore knot as well as a collection of all things of interest to props people from around the internet.

Square knot, sheet bend, carrick bend, granny knot

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36 Knots, Bends, and Splices | Prop Agenda

Slip knot, manger knot, bowline knot, teamster's knot

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Cuckold's neck, surgeon's knot, sheet bend with toggle, whipping

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Wall knot, wall knot crown, Mathew Walker

Short splice

Long splice

These diagrams first appeared in Agricultural Woodwork ing, by Louis Michael Roehl. Published by The Bruce publishing company, 1916; pp. 128-133.

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