Usage
The Sheepshank is an unreliable knot traditionally used to shorten a rope or take up slack without cutting it. It can be used to bypass a damaged section of rope. While effective for temporarily shortening a rope or bypassing damage, the Sheepshank can fail if not kept under constant tension, making it unsuitable for critical situations.
Warning
Verify tying technique with a skilled instructor where knot failure could cause property damage, injury, or death.
Also known as
- Trumpet Knot
- Catshank
- Dogshank
- Kamikaze Knot
ABOK
Structure
The Sheepshank can be tied several different ways. An oft used method is forming three overlapping loops(ala
Masthead Knot) where the outer loops (
half hitches) tighten down on the inner loop. When tied this way it is occasionally referred to as a Trumpet Knot, though structurally it is no different than the Sheepshank shown in the animation(after a few adjustments).
Strength/Reliability
The Sheepshank holds reasonably well under tension, with coarse ropes providing more security. However, the knot can easily fall apart when the tension is removed. Developed before modern synthetic "slippery" ropes became common, the Sheepshank is prone to failure when constructed with such materials under load. Due to its instability in these conditions, it's strongly recommended to consider alternative knots for critical applications.
