Ropework
Encyclopedia
Ropework or Marlinespike Seamanship is the set of processes and skills used to make, repair, and use rope
. This includes tying knot
s, splicing, making lashings, and proper use and storage of rope. In the age of sail
the skill of a sailor
was often judged by how well he knew knot
s and marlinespike seamanship.
is a type of ball knot used to hold the frayed end of a rope together. Constrictor knot
s can serve as temporary whippings while cutting ropes, as can a few layers of adhesive tape
.
The simplest sort of proper whipping is the common whipping
. It is made by taking a two-foot-or-greater length of strong string, forming a loop with it, three or four diameter
s of the rope in length, and laying it on the rope near the frayed end. The rest of the length is then tightly wrapped without overlapping around the rope, moving up the loop. When the end of the loop is nearly covered, pull the remaining free length of the string through the loop and then pull on both ends, which will pull the end of the loop under the whipping. Cut off the end of the rope close to the edge of the whipping and then cut off the two free lengths of string.
rope through use of heat
. Make a clean cut near the end and hold the newly cut end a few inches above a flame until the fibers have melted and fused together. Allow the end to cool before touching it or setting it down.
Another method of fusing is used for ropes from non-melting fibers like cotton
and aramid
. In this case the method is simply to cut the end of the rope, coat or dip the exposed fibers in glue
, resin
or paint
and allow to dry.
or daisy chain. A loop is pulled through the rope on the first link, then the process is repeated for the length of the rope. At the last link, a half hitch
is tied to stop the rope from coming undone. To undo the daisy chain, simply undo the half hitch and pull - the knot will slip apart.
Rope
A rope is a length of fibres, twisted or braided together to improve strength for pulling and connecting. It has tensile strength but is too flexible to provide compressive strength...
. This includes tying knot
Knot
A knot is a method of fastening or securing linear material such as rope by tying or interweaving. It may consist of a length of one or several segments of rope, string, webbing, twine, strap, or even chain interwoven such that the line can bind to itself or to some other object—the "load"...
s, splicing, making lashings, and proper use and storage of rope. In the age of sail
Age of Sail
The Age of Sail was the period in which international trade and naval warfare were dominated by sailing ships, lasting from the 16th to the mid 19th century...
the skill of a sailor
Sailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
was often judged by how well he knew knot
Knot
A knot is a method of fastening or securing linear material such as rope by tying or interweaving. It may consist of a length of one or several segments of rope, string, webbing, twine, strap, or even chain interwoven such that the line can bind to itself or to some other object—the "load"...
s and marlinespike seamanship.
Whipping frayed ropes
A whipping knotWhipping knot
A whipping knot or whipping is a binding of twine around the end of a rope to prevent the fibres of the rope from unravelling.When a rope is cut, there is a natural tendency for the cut end to fray. A whipping is one way to try to prevent this, by applying multiple turns of twine tightly around...
is a type of ball knot used to hold the frayed end of a rope together. Constrictor knot
Constrictor knot
The constrictor knot is one of the most effective binding knots. Simple and secure, it is a harsh knot that can be difficult or impossible to untie once tightened. It is made similarly to a clove hitch but with one end passed under the other, forming an overhand knot under a riding turn...
s can serve as temporary whippings while cutting ropes, as can a few layers of adhesive tape
Adhesive tape
Adhesive tape is one of many varieties of backing materials coated with an adhesive. Several types of adhesives can be used.-Types:Pressure sensitive tape...
.
The simplest sort of proper whipping is the common whipping
Common whipping
The common whipping is the simplest type of whipping knot, a series of knots intended to stop a rope from unraveling. As it can slip off the rope easily, the common whipping should not be used for rope ends that will be handled. This whipping knot is also called 'wolf' whipping in some parts of the...
. It is made by taking a two-foot-or-greater length of strong string, forming a loop with it, three or four diameter
Diameter
In geometry, a diameter of a circle is any straight line segment that passes through the center of the circle and whose endpoints are on the circle. The diameters are the longest chords of the circle...
s of the rope in length, and laying it on the rope near the frayed end. The rest of the length is then tightly wrapped without overlapping around the rope, moving up the loop. When the end of the loop is nearly covered, pull the remaining free length of the string through the loop and then pull on both ends, which will pull the end of the loop under the whipping. Cut off the end of the rope close to the edge of the whipping and then cut off the two free lengths of string.
Fusing frayed ropes
Fusion is a method of treating the end of synthetic fiberSynthetic fiber
Synthetic fibers are the result of extensive research by scientists to improve on naturally occurring animal and plant fibers. In general, synthetic fibers are created by forcing, usually through extrusion, fiber forming materials through holes into the air, forming a thread...
rope through use of heat
Heat
In physics and thermodynamics, heat is energy transferred from one body, region, or thermodynamic system to another due to thermal contact or thermal radiation when the systems are at different temperatures. It is often described as one of the fundamental processes of energy transfer between...
. Make a clean cut near the end and hold the newly cut end a few inches above a flame until the fibers have melted and fused together. Allow the end to cool before touching it or setting it down.
Another method of fusing is used for ropes from non-melting fibers like cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
and aramid
Aramid
Aramid fibers are a class of heat-resistant and strong synthetic fibers. They are used in aerospace and military applications, for ballistic rated body armor fabric and ballistic composites, in bicycle tires, and as an asbestos substitute. The name is a portmanteau of "aromatic polyamide"...
. In this case the method is simply to cut the end of the rope, coat or dip the exposed fibers in glue
Glue
This is a list of various types of glue. Historically, the term "glue" only referred to protein colloids prepared from animal flesh. The meaning has been extended to refer to any fluid adhesive....
, resin
Resin
Resin in the most specific use of the term is a hydrocarbon secretion of many plants, particularly coniferous trees. Resins are valued for their chemical properties and associated uses, such as the production of varnishes, adhesives, and food glazing agents; as an important source of raw materials...
or paint
Paint
Paint is any liquid, liquefiable, or mastic composition which after application to a substrate in a thin layer is converted to an opaque solid film. One may also consider the digital mimicry thereof...
and allow to dry.
Daisy chain
In many applications of rope work (e.g. boating, climbing), rope may be efficiently stored for quick and easy utility by tying it into what is referred to as a chain sinnetChain sinnet
A chain sinnet is a method of shortening a rope or other cable while in use or for storage. It is formed by making a series of simple crochet-like stitches in the line.-Tying:To tie:#Create a loop in the rope...
or daisy chain. A loop is pulled through the rope on the first link, then the process is repeated for the length of the rope. At the last link, a half hitch
Half hitch
The half hitch is a simple overhand knot, where the working end of a line is brought over and under the standing part. Insecure on its own, it is a valuable component of a wide variety of useful and reliable hitches, bends, and knots....
is tied to stop the rope from coming undone. To undo the daisy chain, simply undo the half hitch and pull - the knot will slip apart.