KNOTS & SPLICES

Knots & Splices

The joinery of seamanship — what holds, and what costs strength.

The fixed loop that will not jam — the single most useful knot in seamanship.

A strong, symmetrical stopper and loop knot — the standard where the load matters more than easy untying.

Two crossing turns that grip a post or rail — fast, adjustable, and only trustworthy under constant tension.

The way to join two lines of different size — a bend that holds where a square knot will not.

A permanent loop spliced into the line itself — the strongest way to terminate a rope.

The permanent way to join two lines of the same size — nearly as strong as the rope itself.

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Other categories

Fibre, construction and how a line behaves under load.

Shackles, thimbles, blocks and the metal that carries the load.

Halyards, sheets, dock lines and anchor rodes in service.

Inspection, protection and knowing when to retire a line.