Saturday, 7 May 2011

Tape Knot Teaser

Back from my rock climbing days we used to make our own slings from 25mm tube tape. This is available from most adventure stores at least in Australia at a price quite reasonable when compared to premade slings.



As you can see from the photo there are no lose ends from the doubt tape knot in the completed loop (like in my previous post on the Tape Knot)  even though it was made from a simple length of tube tape. 

When I was first shown this ... I was told I had to work it out for myself !!!

I set the same challenge to you all.

Would love to hear some feed back if others use this method to make loops and if you don't how long it took you to work it out. Its not rocket science but a bit of ropey fun.

Feel free to beg if you just don't get it :>

Wednesday, 4 May 2011

Tape Knot

This is a basic knot for tying lengths of tape (seat belt material) together. The white tape below is 25mm tube tape but it can be applied to 50mm single tape or any other flat sort of material.

This knot is also how I used to finish tying the tape harness  I used for my complete rock climbing career. Being a poor uni student 5m of 50mm tape was significantly cheaper then a dedicated harness.

I will do some later posts showing how to tie a tape harness and a fun challenge to tie a tape loop without tails!

The knot is basically the overhand knot tied in a flat style started above and completed loosely below.


The knot can be kept in a flat style above or tightened as below


Another use for the tape knot is to joint two ends of tape to form a loop.  The basic theory is to tie a single tape knot as above and then feed in the other end or length of tape where the first end exits the first tape knot.

 
Tie a loose tape knot

Feed in the other end/second tape where the first end exits the knot.

Follow the knot around.

Exit the first tape knot at the long end.

Tighten up the knot.

 The final loop with lose ends.