Glossary
A very short guide to knotting terminology used on these pages.
This is not an exhaustive list of knotting terms,
it just contains some of the more unfamiliar words that we have used.
If you wish to research the subject further, any good book on knots should
have a knotting glossary.
- Knot. Strictly
speaking, a knot is tied in the end of a line as a stopper, such as the Thumb knot
or Figure
of eight knot.
- Stopper knots are used
to stop the end of a rope fraying, or to stop it running through a small
hole or constriction.
- Bend. A bend is used
to tie two ropes together, as in the Sheet bend.
Technically, even the Square knot
is a bend.
- Hitch. A hitch is used
to tie a rope to a spar, ring or post, such as the Clove
hitch. Hitches can also be used to tie one rope ONTO another rope, as
in the Rolling
hitch.
- Running End - the end
of the rope that is being used to tie the knot.
- Standing End - the static
end of the rope.
- Bight can have two
meanings:
-- The main part of the rope from the running end to the standing end
-- Where the rope is bent back to form a loop.
- Jam - when the knot
tightens under tension and you cannot get it undone!
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