12/19/2023 0 Comments Farmers eye splice![]() It’s still in print, and it’s cheap, about $10. You make your own decision on which is which, but here are several of my favorites:Īrts of the Sailor was written in the 1950s and is a delight to read in itself. Some are good, some are mediocre, and some are useless. So what is “good instruction?” There are dozens, if not hundreds, of books on knot tying. Knotwork, in my opinion, has a very simple recipe: mix one part good instruction with three parts patience, and you’re there. Finally, knotwork is not limited to the expert knot-tyer – I certainly don’t fit in that category. Most (all) of my work is much simpler, but still looks nice and does the job I want it to. Let’s dispel the myth that quality knotwork similar to what was done in the old days is a “lost art.” Browse a few web sites such as and you’ll see some contemporary work that is absolutely beautiful. Put another way, it’s okay to look at the instructions while tying knotwork, because you’re not – or shouldn’t be – in a hurry. So for the purpose of this post, let’s define knotwork as something other than the five knots mentioned above, and is generally done in a controlled setting, such as in the shop or the living room. My knotwork is ornamental to some extent, but also tends to be functional. Knotwork is defined by the World English Dictionary as “ornamentation consisting of a mass of intertwined and knotted cords.” I don’t like that definition. (Some folks have told me that there’s an app for knot tying you can download on your smart phone, but I’m too much of a Luddite to carry around one of those modern nuisances.) You’re much more likely to tie something you’ve concocted on the spot that looks like it will serve the purpose. Let’s face it, if you’re coming in to dock and you’ve forgotten how to hitch a line to a cleat, you’re not going to stop and look up the directions in a book. Knowing the knot from memory is important. I tell students they should know these knots, and by knowing, I mean be able to tie from memory, and ideally, tie the knot with one’s eyes closed. As part of the class, we learn some basic marlinspike skills, including how to tie five knots:Īll of these knots are very useful I use each of them almost every time I take Wee Lass on the water. I’m a member of the United States Power Squadron, and also an instructor in the Power Squadron’s Seamanship class. The good news is that it’s got lots of pictures. So thanks to Mr.Full disclosure: most of the information on this post is from a lecture I gave at Houston Maritime Museum in June 2014. Urban Domeij, has just taught this old dog a new trick! The site also links to his excellent page on a method of tying the carrick bend, and an anchor bend as well. I've used Lever's eye splice for many years, and it looks like the gentleman whose website ( ) shows this method, Mr. With this method, it's in the right place from the start - much harder to mess up. When I've taught eye splicing, whether Lever's or the Sailor's eye splice (ABOK #2725), folks often have problems getting the third strand in the right place. I always arrange it so the three ends line up along the length of the rope. After the fifth tier of tucks (in slick synthetics), I usually finish with a West Coast taper - tuck two of the strands another time, then tuck one of those two yet again. It's a faster method, and easier to get the tension right around a thimble. Re-tuck strand #2 and add the extra tuck to strand #3, and the first tier of tucks is complete. ![]() Making the first tuck using the entire end of the rope means that no binding knot is needed to keep the strands aligned while the splice is put in, and both strands #1 and #3 are automatically left in the correct positions. It's Darcy Lever's sailor's eye splice (ABOK #2727, aka the "Pro splice" as referred to by Brion Toss), put in by a different method, just as claimed. Yes, two of the strands are *initially* tucked under the same strand of the standing part, but the extra tuck in strand #3 fixes that. To advertise, take a look at WoodenBoat Advertising, or use your Google Adwords account if you want to advertise on the Forum. ![]() Selling/self promotion postings are verboten on the Forum. No need to register unless you would like to participate, although some images will only show if you are registered/logged-in.īefore you can post: click the red register link or the register tab, above, right. You'll find answers to the frequently asked questions as well as basic rules. To get WoodenBoat delivered to your door or computer, mobile device of choice, etc, click WB Subscriptions.Ĭheck out the FAQ. The Forum is a free service, and much like the "free" content on Public Radio, we hope you will support WoodenBoat by subscribing to this fabulous magazine. ![]() The WoodenBoat Forum is sponsored by WoodenBoat Publications, publisher of WoodenBoat magazine. ![]()
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