The sheepshank is a useful knot for two purposes. It can be used to temporarily shorten a rope or it could be used to allow a rope with a damaged or frayed part to be still used (the damaged part would be in the center, where there is no tension). One of the properties of this knot is that it can get easily undone without tension, so to keep it in place, tension needs to be applied on both sides of the knot.
Edit Steps
- Make an 'S' shape. Get the rope to form 2 bights, in the shape of an 'S.' The middle part will be the section with no tension. The curves are called bights.
- Form loops at the ends. .
- Insert the two bights into the two loops and pull the free ends tight to secure the knot.
Alternate Method
- Make 3 loops as illustrated. The center loop will form the central part of the knot while the loops on the sides will be half hitches to support the sheep shank. Pull the central loop through the side loops as illustrated.
- That's it, you have got yourself a sheepshank. Note that this method is better to tie it 'in the field' or when you need it done quickly. However it's better to use the first method if you specifically want a certain stretch of rope to bypass a load.
Edit Tips
- Another rope can be passed through the loops at each end of the finished knot, if desired.
- The sheepshank will become loose when not under strain. An additional hitch maybe added to prevent the sheep shank for becoming loose when not under strain.
- This knot is often used for securing loads to trucks or trailers, and in sailing applications.
- This knot is best used with a coarse rope, not a slippery synthetic rope. With the latter, it may fail even with tension.
Edit Warnings
- Do not use this knot for rope that will support life critical situations.
Edit Things You'll Need
- A rope
Edit Related wikiHows
- How to Tie a Bowline Knot
- How to Tie a Rethreaded Figure of 8 Climbing Knot
- How to Tie a Quick Release Knot
- How to Tie a Square Knot
Edit Sources and Citations
- [1] - Original source, shared with permission