The boa knot
[Knotting Matters — issue 55 — p19 — ISSN 0952-2881] is a modern
binding knot
Binding may refer to:
Computing
* Binding, associating a network socket with a local port number and IP address
* Data binding, the technique of connecting two data elements together
** UI data binding, linking a user interface element to an eleme ...
invented by
weaver
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Activities
* A person who engages in weaving fabric
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* Various birds of the family Ploceidae
* Crevice weaver spider family
* Orb-weaver spider family
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Arts and entertainment
...
Peter Collingwood in 1996. His intention was to develop a
knot
A knot is an intentional complication in cordage which may be practical or decorative, or both. Practical knots are classified by function, including hitches, bends, loop knots, and splices: a ''hitch'' fastens a rope to another object; a ' ...
that would hold well when the constricted object was cut close to the winds of the knot.
The boa knot is related to the
strangle knot
The strangle knot is a simple binding knot. Similar to the constrictor knot, it also features an overhand knot under a riding turn. A visible difference is that the ends emerge at the outside edges, rather than between the turns as for a constr ...
and the
double constrictor knot
The constrictor knot is one of the most effective Binding (knot), binding knots.Clifford W. Ashley, ''The Ashley Book of Knots'' (New York: Doubleday, 1944), 224-225.Brion Toss, ''The Complete Rigger's Apprentice'' (Camden, Maine: International M ...
. It combines both the structure and qualities of these other two knots. The boa knot can be very difficult to untie and is inappropriate when frequent or fast untying is needed. The knotted part needs to lie over a convex surface to hold.
Start with making two loops that spiral upwards in a clockwise manner. Pull the top end of the rope along the path of the loops until it is parallel to the bottom end. If done correctly, there should be a total of 2.5 loops with both rope ends sticking out. Using both hands, pinch the loops at the sides where the ends hanging out. There should be 3 parts of rope pressed together in each hand. Take each end and twist clockwise until an infinity symbol is formed. Fold the ends of the twisted loops together such that the loose ends are between them. Place in the loops the desired object and pull the loose ends away from it, carefully shaping the knot. This should tighten the loops to the point where they cling firmly to the desired object, yielding the boa knot. Said knot is hard to move around.
The boa knot is best used for securing objects in cylindrical loads.
See also
*
List of knots
This list of knots includes many alternative names for common knots and lashings. Knot names have evolved over time, and there are many conflicting or confusing naming issues. The overhand knot, for example, is also known as the thumb knot. The ...
References
External links
* http://notableknotindex.webs.com/boaconstrictor.html
* http://www.asiteaboutnothing.net/cr_constrictor.html
Knots of modern origin
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