Have you ever considered using the Alpine Butterfly Loop to shorten a rope or make a damaged part of a rope safe? th-cam.com/video/03Hj6rOoY8s/w-d-xo.html
I had to do that very thing just last week. I was hauling a 55 gallon barrel in the back of my truck and the rope; ¼" sisal, had a badly chafed section right where the load would be. I tied an Alpine Butterfly loop, placing the damaged part of the rope in the center of the loop. 35 miles later, I backed into my driveway, the barrel was still secure and hadn't moved an inch.
In over 30 years in the merchant navy working on every type of ship you can think of the only time a sheepshank is used is when it's tied under the hulls of open lifeboats, the idea is if the lifeboat should capsize the occupants can untie the sheep shank and use the extra rope as security grab lines. It is still in use today but only with open lifeboats.
A handy tool in the right place. Certainly not a climbing knot, but that is not an indictment. Use it on my extending pruning saw to take up cordage and it works a treat.
Love these knots I'm working on a railroad bridge in Boston and I'm the rigger and I've been showing off all these knots you've taught me and everyone keeps asking me how I know all these 🪢😅😂🤣 I tell them over the past 30 years of rigging 🤣😂😅👍👍
I've used the Sheepshank with the Marlin Spike hitch when handling horses. In one case the leather reins were too long for a young rider, and we didn't want to cut the reins for a one-time ride. On another, I needed more length for a lead line as I was ponying one horse from the back of another. Again the available lead lines were too short, and other ropes were too long. This modified Sheepshank solved the problem.
I like the sheepshank with marlin spike hitches. When you need to join, temporarily, two dissimilar ropes, this would give more confidence. I had totally forgotten about the marlin spike.
The Marlin Spike hitch is one of my favourites, as it turns into so many other knots!! Thanks for taking the time to view and also make a comment, very much appreciated.
Thanks for taking the time to share this information, I always love to hear about knots being used! Just out of curiosity Dan, when tying down a load, what do you use as your starting and finishing knot?
If I'm demonstrating a sheepshank, I like to put it under strain, then cut the "damaged" section to more practically demonstrate that the strain is on the other two strands, with a bit of a wow factor for the audience. You can hang a bucket, or tie it to a fixed point and lean back against it. I do try to judiciously position my cut to leave me with a useful length of paracord.
If a rope has to be shortened so much that a single sheepshank wouldn't do the job a double sheepshank might. I suppose it might be possible to take up the slack other ways such as adding extra hitches on each ends. I ask because I remember, as a child, a finding length of rope washed up on the beach. It had small buoy on one end and in the middle was double sheepshank. I think it was held in either by marlinespike hitches or something similar, (clove hitches?) because it was't under tension. I took it home, undid the sheepshank and used it for my tree fort. I didn't know much about knots at the time, I was very young.
The main problem with a Sheepshank is that it needs to be under tension, otherwise it falls apart. The method you describe using the marlin spike hitch is a step in the right direct for security. However if you were to bypass a damaged section of rope, then I would opt for the Alpine Butterfly Loop: th-cam.com/video/03Hj6rOoY8s/w-d-xo.html or the Alpine Butterfly Bend: th-cam.com/video/h0NlB1xf-DA/w-d-xo.html
I use the d rings on the flatbed i use if i didnt have that i use the stake pockets to run the ends of my rope through then half hitch through the ends of my sheep shankthen pull the opposite side of shank tight against the load and half hitch it and your good to go to the next drop
Mmm, I understood some of that, I assume that stake pocket are the holes created by where the uprights should be? Thanks for taking the time to share this information, I always love to hear about knots being used!
I've never seen this knot used, other than on a knotting display board. That said, I'm very pleased to have found your channel,l I subscribe to a bunch of others and will watch a video or two if I notice a new one. Your channel, however, is the only one I have "rung the bell" and watch every video you post. (and have posted). Just wanted to say thanks for your knowledge of knotting and willingness to and expertise at sharing it.
Thank you so much for watching and leaving a comment. I have to say it is not all expertise, on some knots I do a fair bit of research and learning, then pass that on. My main speciality is decorative knotting, but videoing those takes a lot of effort. Are you a knotter yourself?
Yep ever since Cub Scouts back in the late70s. Now my 16 year old daughter is getting into it as well, mostly para cord and friendship bracelets but has come to love sailing so is becoming more interested in sailor craft (which you demonstrate more than most). I think the only one who comes close is Miko Smelmen (sorry about the spelling).
Many thanks for dropping in and leaving a comment. I have to say that I love Mikko's work, as well as the cordage he makes! I enjoy watching his videos also, he makes it look so simple.
This knot was used for example to join a mooring rope when it broke but now the port authorities do not allow ropes with knots and also serves to shorten a rope
Using marlinespike hitches makes a regular sheepshank more secure for sure (I think this is called a Catshank).. But there are other ways too. Using toggles through the bights, tying overhand knots through the bights (need both ends free of course), other variations such as Dogshank, TrumpetShank, Man 'O War/Knotted Sheepshank, Rolling Hitch Sheepshank, etc. People are creative.
That is very interesting, learning something new every day as I do this. Thank you so much for your comment, it would appear that I will have to look up the other knots now ;-)
@@KnottingKnots Aye, I've never seen the Marlinespike Hitch variant before, but it looks like a good one... Check out the Man o' War Sheepshank, you'll like that one...
If instead of tying a half hitch at the ends of the two loops you tie a clove hitch or a double half hitch it makes it more secure. Better still use an Alpine Butterfly to shorten the rope.
when just a young boy I remember my dad telling me about the sheepshank... he said it was for repelling a say 200 ft. cliff with only 100 ft. of rope (cutting the rope at "your weak spot" after the knot is formed). the only problem I seen with your knot is that your "weak " part was the wrong strand in your first version of it, the second version was correct, it needs to be the ONLY strand that goes into Both "dogeared" loops for lack of a better phrase. And like you said it MUST be kept under tension which is where my dad's story comes to play... when you get to the 100 ft. repel mark and are stable enough to slack the rope you would shake slack in the rope and the knot would come loose and you could recover 95% of your rope to finish the repel from that point. A bit wordy I know it's much easier to show the story than write it but I hope you could it. P.S. it was meant as a last option if no others could be found.
Thanks for taking the time to share this information, I always love to hear about knots being used! I will look at the video again and see where my error is. Perhaps I should do a revised version of the sheepshank, as that one was done quite some time ago now?
mind you this was only a story my dad told me not that he was a climber. but for some reason it stuck in my head and I love that knot, just weird and I can't explain it
on bridlington harbour saw four Hugh ton sacks full of used rope being taken off the fish dock at 11.30am today.ahhh the possibilities. saw C.M. Marine had some nice knifes and stretchy boat rope and thimbles on, pity it's the wife's birthday next Friday.......
Cheers for popping over Neil and leaving a comment. For some people used rope is just a pile of rubbish. I always look out for it, just in case anyone wants rid of it. Are you not able to go back and grab yourself a few hundred feet?
Whether or not I like it, really does not mean that I should not show how to tie the Sheepshank. I just enjoy tying knots and what to pass on what I have learned along the way. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, much appreciated.
Have you ever considered using the Alpine Butterfly Loop to shorten a rope or make a damaged part of a rope safe? th-cam.com/video/03Hj6rOoY8s/w-d-xo.html
I had to do that very thing just last week. I was hauling a 55 gallon barrel in the back of my truck and the rope; ¼" sisal, had a badly chafed section right where the load would be. I tied an Alpine Butterfly loop, placing the damaged part of the rope in the center of the loop. 35 miles later, I backed into my driveway, the barrel was still secure and hadn't moved an inch.
Bet you felt dead chuffed with yourself!!
A figure of eight loop might work as well.
In over 30 years in the merchant navy working on every type of ship you can think of the only time a sheepshank is used is when it's tied under the hulls of open lifeboats, the idea is if the lifeboat should capsize the occupants can untie the sheep shank and use the extra rope as security grab lines. It is still in use today but only with open lifeboats.
Yes, that is the sort of thing I want to hear about. Love to hear about knots being used in action.!!
i teach knot tying.
your channel is my new favorite reference.
Well, that is so good to hear. Where/to whom do you teach knots?
A handy tool in the right place. Certainly not a climbing knot, but that is not an indictment. Use it on my extending pruning saw to take up cordage and it works a treat.
What a glamorous life you lead, extended pruning saw?? Joking aside, good to hear about another knot being used in action.
Love these knots I'm working on a railroad bridge in Boston and I'm the rigger and I've been showing off all these knots you've taught me and everyone keeps asking me how I know all these 🪢😅😂🤣 I tell them over the past 30 years of rigging 🤣😂😅👍👍
I would love to spend a day with you, to see how knots are still used in the modern age.
@@KnottingKnots i feel you would be very disappointed everything is manufactured its a lost art...
@@surferdude-ll2qu I wonder if a rigger is what I know as a slinger, responsible of all things being lifted, often with cranes?
I've used the Sheepshank with the Marlin Spike hitch when handling horses. In one case the leather reins were too long for a young rider, and we didn't want to cut the reins for a one-time ride. On another, I needed more length for a lead line as I was ponying one horse from the back of another. Again the available lead lines were too short, and other ropes were too long. This modified Sheepshank solved the problem.
It is always great to hear how other people use knots. Thanks for taking the time to view and also make a comment, very much appreciated.
Sheep shank can be used in the truckers hitch instead of say a butterfly knot. After use it will be very easy to loosen.
Been looking for something like this, thank you!
Glad to have helped out, what do you need it for?
@@KnottingKnots used to make a temporary 'handle' on an overly long fish stringer for carrying freshly caught salmon.
I like the Marlin Spike hitch version the best! i wont forget how to do the hitch but i can see myself forgeting the other methods! Thanks
Thanks for taking the time to view and also make a comment, very much appreciated. Are you more of a practical or decorative knotter?
Johnny Debt my wife says i'm more knotty in the practical sense 😉
Always a joy to watch!
I like the sheepshank with marlin spike hitches. When you need to join, temporarily, two dissimilar ropes, this would give more confidence. I had totally forgotten about the marlin spike.
The Marlin Spike hitch is one of my favourites, as it turns into so many other knots!! Thanks for taking the time to view and also make a comment, very much appreciated.
For a more secure version, have you tried the compacted knot , #1088 in ABOK ?
That will be another to add to a future video. Thanks for taking the time to view and also make a comment, very much appreciated.
Really a usefull knot I use it daily whan i tie down my loads ots adjustable to so as my product getes off loaded its easy to reset
Thanks for taking the time to share this information, I always love to hear about knots being used! Just out of curiosity Dan, when tying down a load, what do you use as your starting and finishing knot?
Me too. It only takes seconds to tie and allows you to pull the ropes as tight as you want. It also unties easily when unloading.
If I'm demonstrating a sheepshank, I like to put it under strain, then cut the "damaged" section to more practically demonstrate that the strain is on the other two strands, with a bit of a wow factor for the audience. You can hang a bucket, or tie it to a fixed point and lean back against it. I do try to judiciously position my cut to leave me with a useful length of paracord.
Thanks for taking the time to share this information, I always love to hear about knots and cordage being used in action!
Which rode use for this hitch sir?
Which book you have for knot. I am seen on your another vedio.
I have many books, which video do you mean? The books that I would recommend are listed here: igkt-solent.co.uk/books/
@@KnottingKnots thank you
Would it be possible to do a double sheepshank as a video?
Can I ask why you would want a double sheepshak?
If a rope has to be shortened so much that a single sheepshank wouldn't do the job a double sheepshank might. I suppose it might be possible to take up the slack other ways such as adding extra hitches on each ends.
I ask because I remember, as a child, a finding length of rope washed up on the beach. It had small buoy on one end and in the middle was double sheepshank. I think it was held in either by marlinespike hitches or something similar, (clove hitches?) because it was't under tension. I took it home, undid the sheepshank and used it for my tree fort. I didn't know much about knots at the time, I was very young.
The main problem with a Sheepshank is that it needs to be under tension, otherwise it falls apart. The method you describe using the marlin spike hitch is a step in the right direct for security. However if you were to bypass a damaged section of rope, then I would opt for the Alpine Butterfly Loop: th-cam.com/video/03Hj6rOoY8s/w-d-xo.html or the Alpine Butterfly Bend: th-cam.com/video/h0NlB1xf-DA/w-d-xo.html
Recommendation: put two half hitches on either end instead of one to improve stability.
Thanks again for sharing
Glad that you found it of interest.
I've used this knot to temporarily shorten the pull cords on blinds, to keep them out of reach of young children.
Another great one for this is the Chain Sennit, you probably use it anyway for other stuff?
I use the d rings on the flatbed i use if i didnt have that i use the stake pockets to run the ends of my rope through then half hitch through the ends of my sheep shankthen pull the opposite side of shank tight against the load and half hitch it and your good to go to the next drop
Mmm, I understood some of that, I assume that stake pocket are the holes created by where the uprights should be? Thanks for taking the time to share this information, I always love to hear about knots being used!
Run the running end through the loop, that will give it a clinch, or half hitch. It is easy to untie and you can pull like heck on it.
Nice one, very useful, Thanks for sharing ^_^
Does anyone still use this knot? You very rarely see photos where the sheepshank is actually being used.
I've never seen this knot used, other than on a knotting display board.
That said, I'm very pleased to have found your channel,l I subscribe to a bunch of others and will watch a video or two if I notice a new one. Your channel, however, is the only one I have "rung the bell" and watch every video you post. (and have posted). Just wanted to say thanks for your knowledge of knotting and willingness to and expertise at sharing it.
Thank you so much for watching and leaving a comment. I have to say it is not all expertise, on some knots I do a fair bit of research and learning, then pass that on. My main speciality is decorative knotting, but videoing those takes a lot of effort. Are you a knotter yourself?
Yep ever since Cub Scouts back in the late70s. Now my 16 year old daughter is getting into it as well, mostly para cord and friendship bracelets but has come to love sailing so is becoming more interested in sailor craft (which you demonstrate more than most). I think the only one who comes close is Miko Smelmen (sorry about the spelling).
Many thanks for dropping in and leaving a comment. I have to say that I love Mikko's work, as well as the cordage he makes! I enjoy watching his videos also, he makes it look so simple.
This knot was used for example to join a mooring rope when it broke but now the port authorities do not allow ropes with knots and also serves to shorten a rope
This knot was used for example to join a mooring rope when it broke but now the port authorities do not allow ropes with knots
It was always better in the old days, especially when we were a part of it!!
Using marlinespike hitches makes a regular sheepshank more secure for sure (I think this is called a Catshank).. But there are other ways too. Using toggles through the bights, tying overhand knots through the bights (need both ends free of course), other variations such as Dogshank, TrumpetShank, Man 'O War/Knotted Sheepshank, Rolling Hitch Sheepshank, etc. People are creative.
That is very interesting, learning something new every day as I do this. Thank you so much for your comment, it would appear that I will have to look up the other knots now ;-)
@@KnottingKnots Aye, I've never seen the Marlinespike Hitch variant before, but it looks like a good one... Check out the Man o' War Sheepshank, you'll like that one...
Enjoyed the show
Glad that you enjoyed it! Are you a knotter, or did you just stumble upon this site?
thanks!
If instead of tying a half hitch at the ends of the two loops you tie a clove hitch or a double half hitch it makes it more secure. Better still use an Alpine Butterfly to shorten the rope.
when just a young boy I remember my dad telling me about the sheepshank... he said it was for repelling a say 200 ft. cliff with only 100 ft. of rope (cutting the rope at "your weak spot" after the knot is formed). the only problem I seen with your knot is that your "weak " part was the wrong strand in your first version of it, the second version was correct, it needs to be the ONLY strand that goes into Both "dogeared" loops for lack of a better phrase. And like you said it MUST be kept under tension which is where my dad's story comes to play... when you get to the 100 ft. repel mark and are stable enough to slack the rope you would shake slack in the rope and the knot would come loose and you could recover 95% of your rope to finish the repel from that point. A bit wordy I know it's much easier to show the story than write it but I hope you could it. P.S. it was meant as a last option if no others could be found.
Thanks for taking the time to share this information, I always love to hear about knots being used! I will look at the video again and see where my error is. Perhaps I should do a revised version of the sheepshank, as that one was done quite some time ago now?
mind you this was only a story my dad told me not that he was a climber. but for some reason it stuck in my head and I love that knot, just weird and I can't explain it
They say it should never be used in climbing, yet it was used during the Vietnam war as a last resort.
nice vid very good loved it
Wrong placement of the “damaged“ taped portion. It was actually under tension and ought to have been where the other two were.
Not the second time.
on bridlington harbour saw four Hugh ton sacks full of used rope being taken off the fish dock at 11.30am today.ahhh the possibilities.
saw C.M. Marine had some nice knifes and stretchy boat rope and thimbles on, pity it's the wife's birthday next Friday.......
Cheers for popping over Neil and leaving a comment. For some people used rope is just a pile of rubbish. I always look out for it, just in case anyone wants rid of it. Are you not able to go back and grab yourself a few hundred feet?
We went by train, kids day out our youngest,nice and her daughter able to eat at 5 pm and have a couple of pints then train home.
You went over why this knot is worse than useless, yet you taught it anyway. Why?
Whether or not I like it, really does not mean that I should not show how to tie the Sheepshank. I just enjoy tying knots and what to pass on what I have learned along the way. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, much appreciated.
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