help with name of a knot.

**turk** · 05-19-2009, 23:24

Somebody, somewhere, at some time posted a couple of knots that retain
high percentages of overall breaking strength of the line. Something like only
a 15 or 20 % reduction to overall breaking strength of the line. I think in
my kind of vague and foggy memory none of them were knots at all but rather
hitches, and one was some kind of a wrap or had wrap in the name.

Does anybody know what i'm talking about ? My criteria is so vague I could
not generate any meaningful search of past threads.

what I am looking for are some ways to use 3/32" dia spectra 6 strand as
main hammock suspension and structural ridgeline. Its has a breaking strength
of 978 lbs. So its on the borderline fringe of 'doable'. I cant help but thinking
with the right knot or hitch its worth trying. Even if only for a laugh.

**adkpiper** · 05-20-2009, 00:26

Where in the suspension/ridgeline are you hoping to use the Mystery Knot? Tree attachments?

**Take-a-knee** · 05-20-2009, 06:30

For joining ropes end to end probably a double or triple fisherman's knot will retain the highest strength. That is what climbers use to tie chock slings. Better get the length right 'cause it ain't coming apart once it is loaded.

**TiredFeet** · 05-20-2009, 11:17

Try this site.

The Alpine butterfly (a.k.a. lineman's) knot is the strongest. The double fishermans follows. At least for one of the ropes tested. A lot depends on what kind of rope you are using and what you want to use it for.

**Rain Man** · 05-20-2009, 11:18

I would guess you might be talking about a lashing rather than a knot? I'm no knot expert, but it would make sense that a lashing might keep more strength than a knot.

Not sure if that helps, or "knot." LOL

I will sound a big warning about thinking that a 1,000 lb line is good for suspending a hammock. By the time you reduce line strength with a knot, and then consider the effect of "dynamic" (versus static) weight, plus deduct for the effective weight based on the physics caused by the angle of declination (stated line strength is only measured with a weight hanging straight down), your 1,000 line may support about 100lbs or less.

Rain Man

.

**headchange4u** · 05-20-2009, 11:25

Originally Posted by Take-a-knee

For joining ropes end to end probably a double or triple fisherman's knot will retain the highest strength. That is what climbers use to tie chock slings. Better get the length right 'cause it ain't coming apart once it is loaded.

I was also going to suggest the double or triple fisherman's knot. I've used these knots in my suspension setup and they are excellent.

**Cruiser161** · 05-20-2009, 12:48

To set up a rope for rappelling, we find a large tree and take 4 or 5 wraps around it with the rope. Then, the friction of the rope against the tree will keep it from slipping, even under considerable load. We finish this lashing off by bringing the loose (top) end of the rope around and tieing a bowline with its loop around the weight-bearing part of the rope. Hope that makes sense. So, the bowline is just a safety measure--no load is on it (unless the rope around the tree somehow slips). The load is supported by the friction of the rope wrapped around the tree. Since no knot is in the load-bearing part of the rope, it retains 100 percent of its strength, at that end. There are other loads from the descending device.

Not sure how this applies to hammock hanging--you could use this method for the tree end of the hang, but you still have to attach the rope or strap to the hammock.

I'm not a physicist, so set me straight if you see a flaw here.

**Big D** · 05-20-2009, 20:43

Originally Posted by turk

Somebody, somewhere, at some time posted a couple of knots that retain
high percentages of overall breaking strength of the line. Something like only
a 15 or 20 % reduction to overall breaking strength of the line. I think in
my kind of vague and foggy memory none of them were knots at all but rather
hitches, and one was some kind of a wrap or had wrap in the name.

Does anybody know what i'm talking about ? My criteria is so vague I could
not generate any meaningful search of past threads.

what I am looking for are some ways to use 3/32" dia spectra 6 strand as
main hammock suspension and structural ridgeline. Its has a breaking strength
of 978 lbs. So its on the borderline fringe of 'doable'. I cant help but thinking
with the right knot or hitch its worth trying. Even if only for a laugh.

I think the post you are referring to was a link to a study.