Knots and Lashing

1.Ropes
Ropes can be made of 3 main materials :

A. Natural Fibre (Example: Manila Hemp)

- They rot easily under harsh sun and wet conditions.
- The strength of such rope is also limited because natural fibres are relatively short.
Natural Fibre Rope
B. Synthetic Fibre (Example: Polyamide/Nylon)
- They are stronger and lighter than natural fibres of the same size
- Tend to be more slippery than natural fibre ropes
- More resilient to rot as they absorb less water or are waterproof

C. Metal Wires

Synthetic Fibre Rope

2. 8 Basic Knots
Name of knots Descriptions
1 Thumb knot (Overhand - Once tied and put under
knot) strain , it is difficult to
untie due to strain acting
on one point.
- Act as a Stopper Knot

2 Figure of Eight - Compared to thumb

knot, it is easier to untie
as there are more gaps,
bends and cutting
- Act as a Stopper knot

3 Clove Hitch - Commonly used to start

off a lashing
- Used to tie a rope to a
object

4 Bowline - Forms an adjustable loop

knot
- Often used to secure a
rope to a ring
5 Sheet Bend - Used for joining two
ropes together ,
especially those of
unequal thickness
- Quick and easy to tie and
untie
- Can be future secured by
making an additional
turn, forming double
sheet bend .

6 Sheep Shank - To shorten the ropes

without cutting them
- Also used to bypass worn
section in centre of the
knot, which will thus, not
be under strain

7 Reef Knot - Used to join two ropes of

equal thickness
- Not as secured as it
comes undone easily
- Used for parcel tying and
First Aid Bandaging

8 Fisherman Knot - Used to join slippery

ropes or ropes with equal
thickness.
- Made of 2 sliding thumb
knots which will interlock
with each other when
strain is applied.
3.Lashings

Name of Lashing Descriptions

1 Round Lashing - Used to tie two poles of
same size and materials
together.
- It will not be secured
enough if too many spars
with poor orientation are
tied together.

2 Square Lashing - Used to join two spars

together at 90 degree.
- To prevent spars from
slipping over each other
under heavy load.

3 Diagonal Lashing - Used to join poles

together at an angles
other then right angles
(90 Degrees)
- Start by a timber hitch
4 Shear Lashing - Used to join 2 uneven
spars together.
- Frapping is essential
- Can be fixed at any
degrees after tying
from 0 to 45 degrees
5 Gyn Lashing - Used to join 3 or more
spars together .
- Can be open up to form
a stand.